Re: Conceptual Diagram - NEW Advanced SSTC Controller

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

At 05:42 PM 2/2/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>Original poster: "Mccauley, Daniel H" <daniel.h.mccauley-at-lmco-dot-com>
>Per a few requests, I am posting the conceptual diagram of my new
>Advanced SSTC Controller.
>The system will utilize a multiplying inverter-type topology along with
>a powerful user-configurable
>Class-D modulator system to create almost any type of RF envelope
>imagineable.  The whole system
>will be microprocessor controlled with either a line-based character LCD
>or matrixed graphics LCD.
>
>I've already done preliminary tests which show operation of the
>microprocessor and LCD in an unshielded
>environment within close proximity to an operating SSTC.  (Final design
>will be fully shielded)
>
>Here is the conceptual block diagram.
>http://users.snip-dot-net/~liche/sstc_inverter.jpg


If I could offer a suggestion about user interfaces..

It might be nice to use something that provides an internet/Ethernet 
interface, and then implement your control as either something that listens 
on a socket for UDP, or uses something like telnet to control it.

Anybody who runs something this sophisticated is likely to have a computer, 
and you could implement a very simple program on the PC that could allow 
setting and manipulating parameters.

You could also use a serial link, which could be connected with optical 
fiber or even just optoisolators.

You could put the LCD and keypad on the controller, or, use a second PIC 
with the "control head" and the first pic talking to it.

Simple serial comms at 9600 bps would probably be enough, and allows all 
manner of useful interfaces (IrDA, RF, etc.)

You could use the cheap 1000 micron plastic fiber as the link.

That would allow the operator to be some distance away from the HV and 
sparks.. always a good thing.

Rabbit Semiconductor makes a lot of nice single board things that are cheap 
that have a lot of interfaces (including programmable timers), and 
programmable in C.