SD2100 SD2000 Auto Ground Balancing Modification

[mario]

Hi guys,

I got around interfacing with the LTC1859 encoder. It's quiet impressive, a very stable chip, and much easier to program than the Digital Analog stuff: Indeed, I ended up using a publicly available generic spi library, with very few modifications!

I have yet to write anything other than several test routines, but I'm getting all 16bits. Before starting the auto gb code, I figured I would release the X9118 library (for the two digital potentiometers).

I recently visited Intersil's site, and it seems like they lowered the price of this pot to a more competitive amount ( http://www.intersil.com/products/dev...o.asp?pn=X9118). This chip is now less than $5 USD.

At 10bits, this pot means serious business, so much more sensitive than the older 8bit pot.

Make sure to go over the Readme file if you decide to use the library.

[mario]

Looking good guys!

I have the hardware finalized, so expect a schema in the next few weeks. Hardware differences between the SD models gave me some issues, but the mod should work with the SD2000s just fine in spite of my targeting a SD2100. Most of these old detectors have different IC configurations, but the differences should not give us any issues.

I even found use of the old pots, which will now be used to calibrate the detectors for ground balancing to work properly. Ground balancing will be adjustable to the user's preference, while being automatic; meaning, ground balancing may be configured positive or negative.

I still have some software issues to resolve, but I see no difficulties over coming them. Having said that, I have everything working in pieces, but I still have to unite everything as a whole. It may take me a few more months considering my limited time to bring everything together.

I'll keep you updated.

[IBGold]

Hi Mario,

Looking good have you had a chance to have a look at my code glitch yet as I plan a testing trip away in about 6 weeks.

Regards, Ian.

[mario]

Hi Mario,

Looking good have you had a chance to have a look at my code glitch yet as I plan a testing trip away in about 6 weeks.

Regards, Ian.

I apologize about that glitch. I will fwd a fix to every member that got one of my boards.

I made the software update to include fine tuning AFTER doing the necessary board changes to support ground balancing so that last software update obviously would not work on those boards.

I will get you a fix as soon as possible.

The program included with the package posted in the other thread should not be affected since it was written with the board revision in mind.