'KROT2-XM' (mole), new project Xmega32

[Geo]

OK, please inform me!!!

[WM6]

OK, please inform me!!!

Xmega chip soldered at PCB No: 3. Decided to build this one PCB for test first.
Probably all tricks of solderind such precise pins is in good soldering paste. Here I use Amtech 4300/LF soldering flux.

[reiv]

Nice

[Daxxin]

Xmega chip soldered at PCB No: 3. Decided to build this one PCB for test first.
Probably all tricks of solderind such precise pins is in good soldering paste. Here I use Amtech 4300/LF soldering flux.

[ATTACH]26980[/ATTACH]

Good job WM6 ..too much soldeing paste less its enough

[WM6]

Yes. I have to figure something for more precise dosing.

[Daxxin]

if you wanna fix now to make nice look , just put a few flux ..but a very few then with desoldering braid ( wick is a good brand) remove the excessive sold paste
bevel tip is a good choice

[Geo]

Xmega chip soldered at PCB No: 3. Decided to build this one PCB for test first.
Probably all tricks of solderind such precise pins is in good soldering paste. Here I use Amtech 4300/LF soldering flux.

[ATTACH]26980[/ATTACH]

Congratulation. Fantastic work...
I wait for pcbs No2 and No1....

[Tepco]

I hope I wont be first one to assemble it, not before December, have all parts, PCB and programmer, but away from my workshop, so just watching. I will suggest to one with working detector to try one interesting test, detector is probably capable to do something extraordinary and unique for VLF machine, almost certainly never considered even by author, not featured in commercial designs, think about...

[WM6]

I will suggest to one with working detector to try one interesting test, detector is probably capable to do something extraordinary and unique for VLF machine, almost certainly never considered even by author, not featured in commercial designs, think about..
.

Can you say something more about those test? Or we need to wait on working sample?

[Tepco]

You do need to wait for working one, but idea is this: KROT2 is equipped with unusual “coil zero” feature, in essence, coil disbalance signal is measured by MCU, then compensating signal from DAC is injected into RX preamp to reduce it. Well, with some tweaking, reduced RX amplifier gain and increased compensation range, only two resistors changed, this should also tune out signal produced by salt water. Making it maybe only VLF capable to operate in salt water without or with minimal loss of performance.

[Tepco]

Interesting is this, if this project caches up, I can provide some useful service here. Offering full kits, high quality professional double sided PCB, soldered and programmed chip, all parts and display at a price of TGSL or IDX or Surf PI kit, or even completely assembled and tested units at similar price. Trick is, I can “attach” this to some larger production runs and cut costs down, producing kits and assembled units at just a price of components obtained from regular suppliers on part by part ordering basis. No avail, however, PayPal here works in only one direction, money transfer and shipment costs are ridiculous. Maybe some form of “international cooperation” can help, to distribute units from some other location. Not presenting competition to Silverdog, but covering other segments, like Chance, KROT1 and 2, Delta pulse etc, eventually even some of my own metal finding contraptions.


Another issue is programmer, software will obviously be updated often, so it is necessary to have one. I built USB programmer from original Russian website (interestingly, stupid chip costs more than Xmega) If someone already have ICSP programmer, it can be used too (Xmega can be programmed in “old fashion” way, using MISO,MOSI, SCK, RST, only programmer is probably 5V, chip is 3.3V, add resistors and this will usually work) but otherwise some permanent solution is needed. In form of cheap, sub-10E programmer. Will see, I will have “activity window' from december to april, maybe something useful can result. Until then, signing off for some time.

[WM6]

I can provide some useful service here. Offering full kits, high quality professional double sided PCB, soldered and programmed chip, all parts and display at a price of TGSL or IDX or Surf PI kit, or even completely assembled and tested units at similar price.

Great proposal Tepco, I hope I will remind you soon, I count in next week we will have first finished and tested sample of KROT-2 out of Andrey's SMD PCB kit.

Possible software update can be issue sometimes. I decided for ZeptoProgII USB programmer, will try it under Ubuntu:

http://www.mattairtech.com/index.php...toprog-ii.html

[Tepco]

I completed mine, programmed chip, it works, actually made two, one on original and another on my Protel version of DIP PCB, it works, powering up display and produce signal. Only I don’t have decent coil for testing, have to made one, and all this will wait another 3-4 weeks from now due to other reasons.


This programmer looks fine, no need to build these things, you can made one for 5E but waste of time. Probably you will have problems with Linux.

[Black Digger]

I produced this machine. Sensor. The program is 05A. Test 2 forints (like 5 cents Soviet Union), up to 28 cm. Based on the test is not performed. There is no box.

[smity]

Who has built a "Mole 2", please do photos and videos of your device.