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Hi all,
I've been thinking about something (dangerous I know). Fitting all of the functionality of a metal detector into a single Arduino-footprint shield would probably mean having it be simplistic and limited (or really small and hard to build)
What if you could break down the various functions of a GOOD overall detector design, into various shield modules that could stack on each other?
This would allow several possibilities.
1) You could use an off-the-shelf compatible Arduino processor board.
2) You could break up the components of a particular MD technology.
---a) PI switched mode PS (SMPS)
---b) PI Output FET stage
---c) PI Pre-amp stage
---d) PI Final Sample / FIlter Stage
3) You could mix and match stage components (yes it would require adhering to some sort of standard layout. - 1st design wins or a jumper config maybe)
4) You could potentially blend modules into "super modules". Say it makes obvious design sense to combine components, then do so. Up to the point where the design is still reusable.
5) You could theoretically prototype build entire MD using Arduino prototype boards and through hole components.
6) You could "split" MD into locations that made sense. (ie. coil related near coil, power and logic in stem box, audio in headphones)
7) You could mix MD technology. (i.e having both + and - PI, PI + VLF, PI + BFO, whatever)
You could reuse pieces in other designs
I'm sure there could be other positives. Here are some negatives. I'm sure there are more not listed.
1) Stack could get quite bulky. (Not a problem with me - since I want to build and learn tech - not have the entire circuit embedded in a stem)
---a) Prototype would be the big advantage. For size, the finished design could be combined onto 1 SMT board, but schematic would remain valid.
2) Added cost
3) Possible noise issues
4) Duplicated / wasted space / hardware
I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Would it be something worth looking at? I'm sure we have all prototype up small "circuits" for evaluating one MD function or another. Does this seem a waste of time?
I've been thinking about something (dangerous I know). Fitting all of the functionality of a metal detector into a single Arduino-footprint shield would probably mean having it be simplistic and limited (or really small and hard to build)
What if you could break down the various functions of a GOOD overall detector design, into various shield modules that could stack on each other?
This would allow several possibilities.
1) You could use an off-the-shelf compatible Arduino processor board.
2) You could break up the components of a particular MD technology.
---a) PI switched mode PS (SMPS)
---b) PI Output FET stage
---c) PI Pre-amp stage
---d) PI Final Sample / FIlter Stage
3) You could mix and match stage components (yes it would require adhering to some sort of standard layout. - 1st design wins or a jumper config maybe)
4) You could potentially blend modules into "super modules". Say it makes obvious design sense to combine components, then do so. Up to the point where the design is still reusable.
5) You could theoretically prototype build entire MD using Arduino prototype boards and through hole components.
6) You could "split" MD into locations that made sense. (ie. coil related near coil, power and logic in stem box, audio in headphones)
7) You could mix MD technology. (i.e having both + and - PI, PI + VLF, PI + BFO, whatever)
You could reuse pieces in other designsI'm sure there could be other positives. Here are some negatives. I'm sure there are more not listed.
1) Stack could get quite bulky. (Not a problem with me - since I want to build and learn tech - not have the entire circuit embedded in a stem)
---a) Prototype would be the big advantage. For size, the finished design could be combined onto 1 SMT board, but schematic would remain valid.
2) Added cost
3) Possible noise issues
4) Duplicated / wasted space / hardware
I'd like to hear some opinions on this. Would it be something worth looking at? I'm sure we have all prototype up small "circuits" for evaluating one MD function or another. Does this seem a waste of time?