changing the way consumers and businesses improve their lives, for more than 35-years, through...

Changing the way consumers and businessesimprove their lives, for more than 35-years, through

"Technologization"!

4-Channel Light Chaser4-Channel Light Chaser


A great many of the products and projects that I have involved myself in over the years have been A great many of the products and projects that I have involved myself in over the years have been developed around semiconductor products that had already established a long-standing reputation developed around semiconductor products that had already established a long-standing reputation for providing low-cost, flexible design solutions for circuit designs that used to require a much for providing low-cost, flexible design solutions for circuit designs that used to require a much larger number of components and elaborate circuit design concepts.larger number of components and elaborate circuit design concepts.

Of these, some of the more popular products would include the 555 timer I.C. (Integrated Circuit), Of these, some of the more popular products would include the 555 timer I.C. (Integrated Circuit), and it’s derivative, the 556 Timer I.C. (Contains two 555 timer functions within a single D.I.P. (Dual and it’s derivative, the 556 Timer I.C. (Contains two 555 timer functions within a single D.I.P. (Dual In-Line Package), J-K Flip Flop I.C.s, and Dual J-K Flip Flops; as well as a host of other supporting In-Line Package), J-K Flip Flop I.C.s, and Dual J-K Flip Flops; as well as a host of other supporting products including Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps), Hybrid power packs and power amp products including Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps), Hybrid power packs and power amp modules, SCRs (Silicon Controlled Rectifiers), DIACs (Diode for Alternating Current), and TRIACs modules, SCRs (Silicon Controlled Rectifiers), DIACs (Diode for Alternating Current), and TRIACs (Tri-State Silicon Controlled Switches for Alternating Current, or more commonly referred to as; (Tri-State Silicon Controlled Switches for Alternating Current, or more commonly referred to as; Bidirectional Triode Thyristor or Bilateral Triode Thyristor), L.E.D.s (Light Emitting Diode), L.C.D.s Bidirectional Triode Thyristor or Bilateral Triode Thyristor), L.E.D.s (Light Emitting Diode), L.C.D.s (Liquid Crystal Display), Opto-Isolator TRIAC Drivers, and a wide variety of other support (Liquid Crystal Display), Opto-Isolator TRIAC Drivers, and a wide variety of other support components.components.

SCRSCRTRIACTRIACZENER ZENER DIODEDIODE DIACDIAC

J-K Flip Flop & J-K Flip Flop & Dual J-K Flip FlopDual J-K Flip Flop


While this 4-Channel Light Chaser was originally requested by a client and went through While this 4-Channel Light Chaser was originally requested by a client and went through the entire design, development, and all phases of good project management, it was the entire design, development, and all phases of good project management, it was never fully developed into a working, finished prototype, as the client changed their mind never fully developed into a working, finished prototype, as the client changed their mind at the last moment, and decided to purchase a similar device from a national stage at the last moment, and decided to purchase a similar device from a national stage production company.production company.

Even still, all of the steps necessary to getting a product from idea to physical working Even still, all of the steps necessary to getting a product from idea to physical working model were followed and performed, including:model were followed and performed, including:

• Rough draft of product requirementsRough draft of product requirements

• Risk assessmentRisk assessment

• Preliminary circuit designPreliminary circuit design

• Mathematical and electrical verification and validationMathematical and electrical verification and validation

• Bread-boarding the circuits involved and testingBread-boarding the circuits involved and testing

• Documentation of all related specifications and summaryDocumentation of all related specifications and summary

• Preliminary enclosure design and human interface controlsPreliminary enclosure design and human interface controls


The first steps in any electronics project often involves determining the power The first steps in any electronics project often involves determining the power requirements for the devices and components being incorporated, and for any external requirements for the devices and components being incorporated, and for any external add-ons that will be incorporated into its application. If DC (Direct Current) sources are add-ons that will be incorporated into its application. If DC (Direct Current) sources are involved, then it will be necessary to determine both the DC and AC (Alternating Current) involved, then it will be necessary to determine both the DC and AC (Alternating Current) power requirements.power requirements.

From here, DC power supply design and architecture can be developed. Because DC From here, DC power supply design and architecture can be developed. Because DC power does not occur naturally from common wall outlets, developing a DC power power does not occur naturally from common wall outlets, developing a DC power source almost always involves converting the available AC current and signals, into DC source almost always involves converting the available AC current and signals, into DC current and signals. The steps involved include conversion from AC to unfiltered DC, current and signals. The steps involved include conversion from AC to unfiltered DC, filtering the DC, regulating the DC, and distribution of the DC power.filtering the DC, regulating the DC, and distribution of the DC power.

AC -to- DC ConversionAC -to- DC Conversion Pre-Filtering DCPre-Filtering DC


Filtering DC (Remove AC Ripple Content)Filtering DC (Remove AC Ripple Content)

Removing as much AC ripple from the filtered DC current is critical to establishing stable Removing as much AC ripple from the filtered DC current is critical to establishing stable operation of circuits that derive power from the power supply. Ripple noise riding on the operation of circuits that derive power from the power supply. Ripple noise riding on the DC power can lead to false triggering of electronic devices and components, as well as DC power can lead to false triggering of electronic devices and components, as well as interfere with internal and external timing parameters established, and could even be interfere with internal and external timing parameters established, and could even be destructive to more sensitive components. Regulating the filtered DC provides stable destructive to more sensitive components. Regulating the filtered DC provides stable DC supply voltages within the upper and lower range tolerances of the regulator design.DC supply voltages within the upper and lower range tolerances of the regulator design.

Fully Regulated + 5 VDC (.0001% AC Ripple)Fully Regulated + 5 VDC (.0001% AC Ripple)


Once the DC power supply source has been created, the DC output may be distributed Once the DC power supply source has been created, the DC output may be distributed to the circuits involved in the project. In this case, a +5 VDC tap provides 5 volts DC to a to the circuits involved in the project. In this case, a +5 VDC tap provides 5 volts DC to a 555 Timer circuit that is running in astable-multivibrator mode. The output pulse width 555 Timer circuit that is running in astable-multivibrator mode. The output pulse width and gain remain constant; however, the pulse rate (frequency) is continuously variable and gain remain constant; however, the pulse rate (frequency) is continuously variable throughout the range of the Rate Control potentiometer (VR1).throughout the range of the Rate Control potentiometer (VR1).


The output pulse from the 555 timer circuit is used as an input control pulse for the J-K The output pulse from the 555 timer circuit is used as an input control pulse for the J-K Flip Flop I.C. and chaser driver circuit.Flip Flop I.C. and chaser driver circuit.


The heart of this 4-channel Light Chaser design, illustrated below, depicts the main The heart of this 4-channel Light Chaser design, illustrated below, depicts the main components involved in running a variable-rate chaser pulse capable of driving L.E.D. components involved in running a variable-rate chaser pulse capable of driving L.E.D. devices. When these L.E.D.s are substituted with Opto-Isolator TRAIC driver I.C.s, you devices. When these L.E.D.s are substituted with Opto-Isolator TRAIC driver I.C.s, you have the makings of a great DC controlling AC lighting control/switching circuit.have the makings of a great DC controlling AC lighting control/switching circuit.


The circuit illustrated below demonstrates that the output control signals from each The circuit illustrated below demonstrates that the output control signals from each channel of the J-K Flip Flop I.C. can be used to drive a Zero-Crossing, Opto-Isolator channel of the J-K Flip Flop I.C. can be used to drive a Zero-Crossing, Opto-Isolator Triac Driver I.C., which then controls the flow of AC current through the AC load, in this Triac Driver I.C., which then controls the flow of AC current through the AC load, in this case Flood Lamps. Using the Opto-Isolator Triac Driver I.C., as opposed to driving the case Flood Lamps. Using the Opto-Isolator Triac Driver I.C., as opposed to driving the gate of the TRIAC devices through direct connection, separates or isolates the DC gate of the TRIAC devices through direct connection, separates or isolates the DC circuits from the AC circuits, protecting both from feed-back related problems, and is a circuits from the AC circuits, protecting both from feed-back related problems, and is a much better design from a number of important efficiency of operation, and quality of much better design from a number of important efficiency of operation, and quality of design perspectives.design perspectives.


Bringing it all together . . .Bringing it all together . . .


While a great deal of what has been demonstrated here will seem foreign or alien to those who do not

have a background in electronics theory, design, and development, the ideas and concepts form the basis

for a number of other product and electronics designs that have been adopted and enhanced over the years,

throughout many industries.

A great many of the electronics, devices, appliances, and lighting products you see on the market, and use

in your homes and businesses today, have been based on designs that myself, and others, pioneered

and developed many years ago!

Changing the way consumers and businessesimprove their lives, for more than 35-years, through

"Technologization"!

End of Presentation


changing the way consumers and businesses improve their lives, for more than 35-years, through...

Documents

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