Modular Analog Project....Tesoro

[turtlebowl]

I spent a long while, a good month or more, building a modular Tesoro. All PCBs were created using Spring 5.0. There is a base circuit and 6-8 modules.
The project was started for several reasons.
1. Ability to quickly test the different filters, disc and GB phase timers against a standard to get a better comparison without the question of how much the component manufacturing tolerances of the TX, RX, and regulated supplys components were affecting the results.
2. Quickly mix and match various Tesoro bits and pieces for experimenting.
3. Possible development of a modular analog machine.
4. Ability to try / tie in new circuits or breadboard via an auxiliary port
5. Easily test higher/lower fixed V regulators
6. Develop or use single or double audio outputs
The Tesoro was perfect to fit the idea because all Tesoro models are virtually the same with the exception of differentiators, timers, and added channels for notching. So it is possible to convert a Silver Saber to an Eldorado or Golden saber etc. by simply plug and play.
This worked well for me as I no longer needed to rebuild the same old circuits time and time again to learn about them or experiment on them.
These modules and base circuit were made nearly a year ago and I have since moved on to different interests.
Is there any interest here in developing this project further? It would take a bit of work and time for me to gather my materials, take pix and create schematics of my module boards but If there is enough interest in something like this I will upload the PCB files and take some pictures of my boards. Modules include Eldorado / lobo front end, threshold and audio generator , Eldorado All Metal differentiators, Bandito Disc differentiators, , MPSA13 audio, MPSA13 x2 audio, stereo, mono, and a few others. Base unit has several plug ins for various modules and selectable Neg voltage supply between 4024 and 7760.
I do not have a great deal of extra time to help on the thread here. If there was enough interest ,,,I can see the whole thing crash without someone to help folks trying to build the circuits and answer questions. Is there someone here who has the interest and time to take on and steer this project?
PHIL

[6666]

Would you like to post your ccts ?

[satdaveuk]

Hi
Very interested in module design infact i was just about to start the ITGSL, already made the circuit board, I will hang on until you post your designs
Many thanks in advance
Regards

[hugo]

@turtlebowl :
Your project looks very interresting.
As you said, it will be kind if you can spend some of your time to share your knowledges.
Thanks,
Hugo

[homefire]

It would be cool to see a PI detector Configured like this.

Common Buses and Rails.



Timing. All aspects variable

Coil Driver

Front End.

Pre Amp.

Delay.

Ground Elimination.

Detection Circuit.

Audio Reponces.

Metering and Logging? USB Output?

[turtlebowl]

Modular Analog Detector project

Dec 1, 2011
Hello gents. Looks like there is enough interest to warrant digging out my old files and circuits.
But after posting my initial offer I realized that the work was done so long ago that I could not remember which PCBs had been changed since my initial designs. In other words, do the modules I have still match up to the base circuits pins and match the schematics? Which modules have been tweaked / changed. Which modules have been vetted? Etc etc.
Because this group of work was never designed with the idea of posting on a forum, I am afraid I did not keep adequate notes to track the progression of my changing designs. Am I making any sense here?
So the project becomes bigger. Now someone will have to track/trace each module and vet it as to being functional. I have several versions of each module with no record of the correct one. Again,,,,this was initially made solely for my own use.
I have and will do my best to select the modules which I believe to be the correct ones. Just be forwarned that there is plenty of work here to make this all come together. Just to get it off the ground. But the idea is a good solid one and worth the effort in perfecting for the benefit of those of us wanting to learn more about and advancing these fascinating circuits.
I will be posting plenty of templates, pictures and notes as I weed through them so this will save tons of work. But it is just a place to start. As stated initially , I do not have the time now to really help as much as I would like. It is impossible for me now.
So someone will have to step in and help keep this going if there is enough interest.
Also keep in mind that the boards are not as elegant as most I have seen on the forum. These were made for my own tools and were not made initially to show off. They are very utilitarian. I am positive the succeeding boards built here will look much better than mine. Having said that I don’t feel so embarrassed in sharing my pics of the boards. SMILES>>>>>
One of the biggest and most time consuming thing for me when I began this project was thinking it through before and during design. It was surprisingly difficult to plan the placement of connecting pins and module jacks so as to be useful for future modules.
There always had to be a sense of conformity while designing the base and succeeding modules.
This then is really all I am offering here. The large amount of time it took to think ahead, plan and draw the board, as the idea itself is not new I am sure.
It is in-evitable that this will evolve into a more complex design if the right players are interested and as more modules are added.. If that happens Lets just try to keep in mind what we have learned from some of the other long term projects. Take the time to get the basic structure down and then stick with it so it isn’t confusing to someone a year from now.
This leads to the first hurdle and the weakest link in what I am presenting. The choice of module pins/jacks. They need to be something cheap, easily available anywhere, and something not to radically different so as to make it necessary to redesign the whole group of modules.
Maybe what I used or something similar will suffice , or maybe someone can think of an easy alternative. My grasp of available jacks/pins is very limited.
Alright, enough rambling.
Here is the Main board layout and pictures of my jack / pin set up. Please keep in mind ( while considering if we need to change the choice of connectors ) that the modules I have already designed have this same pin spacing and order.
I will release the other module layouts when I am confident I have weeded out the correct versions.
What I recall for sure is that the board as pictured and it’s Eldorado / Lobo All Metal Module work fine. So we can start here.
Please remember to not take my pix to literally as my work was always changing as I am an experimenter. For instance,, the main board pictured is not fully populated because I was only working on the AM side and working with the 7660 tone generator and neg ref generator at the time of the picture way back when. But it is all enough to get the idea and general layout of the board.

Some notes:
--The darlington audio transistor in my layout is configured ECB and the template should be changed to accept the common EBC.
----The switch is configured to allow the choice of 4024 or 7660 as a Neg supply.
---4024 has only single tone. Piggy back additional diodes or mod board for more tone options.
-----The JFETS are drawn as gate center pin.
-----Second tone is derived via fet, diode and 4024 chip pin 6. Signal on fet gate switches in second diode pin6.
-------Audio select switch is configured to choose 7660, 4024 and an auxiliary input. Use piano switch to choose source. Be careful about trying or using more than one source. Make sure other sources switches are dis-engaged or back feed could occure ??
Note that the aux module input connects here. Note that it also connects to the Threshold amp output. Open this switch and the Aux Module pins become a potential location for a second audio amp being fed by the threshold output. You’ll have to create your own new output on your Aux module for a second speaker or Ephone jack. With alittle thought this location could be used for several purposes, additional channels or entirely new ideas.
Best regards,
PHIL

[turtlebowl]

The design was created with Sprint 5.0
This site does not recognise the .LAY format.
what can I do??
Can the 3 PCB template .JPG overlays be used?
PHIL

[turtlebowl]

MAPt pictures

I share these pictures on only one condition! .....You do not laugh.
As stated above they are not made for show and tell and will not win any trophys for execution but they get the idea across of layout.
PHIL

[6666]

This is very good
thank you for sharing
6666

[turtlebowl]

All Metal Modules

These are the Bill Lahr schematics the All Metal module is derived from. It is a hybrid Eldorado/Lobo. The lobo has an extra stage. The module is designed to allow the builder to make any of the Tesoro variants by simply installing the correct jumper. Jumper Instructions are located on the module itself. These drawings should explain the rest. Simply omit the extra Lobo parts if you want a eldo or silver saber+, etc
Phil

[ApBerg]

The design was created with Sprint 5.0
This site does not recognise the .LAY format.
what can I do??
Can the 3 PCB template .JPG overlays be used?
PHIL

Hello Phil,

Thanks for sharing ! you can put the 3 *.lay files in a zip file , then it is not a problem for Geotech...

Best regards.
Ap

[turtlebowl]

OK. The zip up loaded. Now lets see if it will open when downloaded.
EDIT::: Disregard this post. I will try again. Do not use this attachment becuase the transparentmode is set as default.
Best to get it right for new users of Sprint. I'll repost.

[turtlebowl]

.LAY files Modular analog project

OK, This should work.
.Lay files created by Sprint 5.0, a PCB layout program. Occasionally found for free on the net.
Enjoy, Phil

[ApBerg]

OK, This should work.
.Lay files created by Sprint 5.0, a PCB layout program. Occasionally found for free on the net.
Enjoy, Phil

Hello Phil,

Ok ! Works good, unzipt ...and the file's can be used in Sprint Layout!

Best regards

Ap

[homefire]

Not to derail anything done but has anyone used VeroBoard and Edge connectors for this stuff?

Something like this: http://www.verodirect.com/main.asp?c...otyping+Boards