Discussion:
[time-nuts] New product: the TAPR "PulsePuppy"
John Ackermann N8UR
2017-12-23 21:00:51 UTC
Permalink
I've developed a little board called the PulsePuppy that supports
surplus OCXOs in the common "Eurocase" form factor to provide outputs at
10 MHz, or at 1 PPS/10 PPS/100PPS using an on-board 12F675 PIC with one
of TVB's picDIV firmware images.

The attached pictures show one prototype unit in closeup, and a panel of
three that are used for TICC counter production testing (providing one
10 MHz and two independent PPS outputs). Also attached is an ADEV plot
of the inexpensive Isotemp OCXO131-100 oscillator I'm using to give an
idea of the performance you can expect from these small oscillators
(they and others like them are available from several eBay sources for
<$30).

The PulsePuppy is available from TAPR as a semi-kit and can be ordered
at http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for $69. We expect to ship the kits in
mid-February (delivery of the boards from our contract manufacturer is
the gating factor).

The assembly manual with schematics can be downloaded at
http://www.tapr.org/~n8ur/PulsePuppy_Manual.pdfm but here are the specs
in brief:

* Footprint for either Eurocase OCXO or Crystek CXOH20-BP-10.000
TCXO (TAPR has a bunch of these TCXOs remaining from another project
and, while they last, is offering them bundled with the PulsePuppy
for an attractive price).

* PPS divider uses TVB PD-13 firmware that includes capability to
synchronize to an external clock.

* TTL-level output at jumper-selectable 10 MHz, 100 PPS, 10 PPS,
or 1 PPS rates.

* A BNC output connector is included, but the board contains a footprint
to install a user-provided SMA.

* 25-turn EFC trimmer with 0-5V range.

* Option to support sine-wave as well as square wave oscillators.

* Board dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5 inches.

TAPR is offering the PulsePuppy as a "semi-kit" that includes the
printed circuit board with all surface-mount components installed, and a
handful of through-hole parts (like voltage regulators, jumpers, and
connectors) for the user to install. By leaving these parts for the
user, the board can be customized -- for example to use different
voltages or to support a sine-wave oscillator.

Note that the kit DOES NOT include the oscillator, unless you buy the
Crystek TCXO bundle.

Happy Holidays to all!

John
John Ackermann N8UR
2017-12-23 21:21:13 UTC
Permalink
Sorry, a typo got into the URL for the manual. Remove the extraneous
"m" after ".pdf": http://www.tapr.org/~n8ur/PulsePuppy_Manual.pdf
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
I've developed a little board called the PulsePuppy that supports
surplus OCXOs in the common "Eurocase" form factor to provide outputs at
10 MHz, or at 1 PPS/10 PPS/100PPS using an on-board 12F675 PIC with one
of TVB's picDIV firmware images.
The attached pictures show one prototype unit in closeup, and a panel of
three that are used for TICC counter production testing (providing one
10 MHz and two independent PPS outputs).  Also attached is an ADEV plot
of the inexpensive Isotemp OCXO131-100 oscillator I'm using to give an
idea of the performance you can expect from these small oscillators
(they and others like them are available from several eBay sources for
<$30).
The PulsePuppy is available from TAPR as a semi-kit and can be ordered
at http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for $69.  We expect to ship the kits in
mid-February (delivery of the boards from our contract manufacturer is
the gating factor).
The assembly manual with schematics can be downloaded at
http://www.tapr.org/~n8ur/PulsePuppy_Manual.pdfm but here are the specs
* Footprint for either Eurocase OCXO or Crystek CXOH20-BP-10.000
  TCXO (TAPR has a bunch of these TCXOs remaining from another project
  and, while they last, is offering them bundled with the PulsePuppy
  for an attractive price).
* PPS divider uses TVB PD-13 firmware that includes capability to
  synchronize to an external clock.
* TTL-level output at jumper-selectable 10 MHz, 100 PPS, 10 PPS,
  or 1 PPS rates.
* A BNC output connector is included, but the board contains a footprint
  to install a user-provided SMA.
* 25-turn EFC trimmer with 0-5V range.
* Option to support sine-wave as well as square wave oscillators.
* Board dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5 inches.
TAPR is offering the PulsePuppy as a "semi-kit" that includes the
printed circuit board with all surface-mount components installed, and a
handful of through-hole parts (like voltage regulators, jumpers, and
connectors) for the user to install.  By leaving these parts for the
user, the board can be customized -- for example to use different
voltages or to support a sine-wave oscillator.
Note that the kit DOES NOT include the oscillator, unless you buy the
Crystek TCXO bundle.
Happy Holidays to all!
John
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Bob kb8tq
2017-12-23 21:56:24 UTC
Permalink
Hi

Looks neat !!!

It is a pretty good bet that everything you see in the ADEV plot is a function of the
specific OCXO you put on the board. Put another way, the. board’s ADEV is way
better than the ADEV of the OCXO. It’s a very safe bet that everything past 2 seconds
or is the OCXO.

Bob
I've developed a little board called the PulsePuppy that supports surplus OCXOs in the common "Eurocase" form factor to provide outputs at 10 MHz, or at 1 PPS/10 PPS/100PPS using an on-board 12F675 PIC with one of TVB's picDIV firmware images.
The attached pictures show one prototype unit in closeup, and a panel of three that are used for TICC counter production testing (providing one 10 MHz and two independent PPS outputs). Also attached is an ADEV plot of the inexpensive Isotemp OCXO131-100 oscillator I'm using to give an idea of the performance you can expect from these small oscillators (they and others like them are available from several eBay sources for <$30).
The PulsePuppy is available from TAPR as a semi-kit and can be ordered at http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for $69. We expect to ship the kits in mid-February (delivery of the boards from our contract manufacturer is the gating factor).
* Footprint for either Eurocase OCXO or Crystek CXOH20-BP-10.000
TCXO (TAPR has a bunch of these TCXOs remaining from another project
and, while they last, is offering them bundled with the PulsePuppy
for an attractive price).
* PPS divider uses TVB PD-13 firmware that includes capability to
synchronize to an external clock.
* TTL-level output at jumper-selectable 10 MHz, 100 PPS, 10 PPS,
or 1 PPS rates.
* A BNC output connector is included, but the board contains a footprint
to install a user-provided SMA.
* 25-turn EFC trimmer with 0-5V range.
* Option to support sine-wave as well as square wave oscillators.
* Board dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5 inches.
TAPR is offering the PulsePuppy as a "semi-kit" that includes the printed circuit board with all surface-mount components installed, and a handful of through-hole parts (like voltage regulators, jumpers, and connectors) for the user to install. By leaving these parts for the user, the board can be customized -- for example to use different voltages or to support a sine-wave oscillator.
Note that the kit DOES NOT include the oscillator, unless you buy the Crystek TCXO bundle.
Happy Holidays to all!
John
<PulsePuppy-Multi_small.jpg><PulsePuppy_rev_b_small.jpg><Isotemp_OCXO131-100-hp5065a-adev.png>_______________________________________________
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John Ackermann N8UR
2017-12-23 21:59:48 UTC
Permalink
Absolutely... the plot is mainly to show what to expect from the little OCXO, not the board.  It ain't a BVA, but for the price and size, it's not bad.
Post by Bob kb8tq
Hi
Looks neat !!!
It is a pretty good bet that everything you see in the ADEV plot is a function of the
specific OCXO you put on the board. Put another way, the. board’s ADEV is way
better than the ADEV of the OCXO. It’s a very safe bet that everything past 2 seconds
or is the OCXO.
Bob
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
I've developed a little board called the PulsePuppy that supports
surplus OCXOs in the common "Eurocase" form factor to provide outputs
at 10 MHz, or at 1 PPS/10 PPS/100PPS using an on-board 12F675 PIC with
one of TVB's picDIV firmware images.
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
The attached pictures show one prototype unit in closeup, and a panel
of three that are used for TICC counter production testing (providing
one 10 MHz and two independent PPS outputs). Also attached is an ADEV
plot of the inexpensive Isotemp OCXO131-100 oscillator I'm using to
give an idea of the performance you can expect from these small
oscillators (they and others like them are available from several eBay
sources for <$30).
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
The PulsePuppy is available from TAPR as a semi-kit and can be
ordered at http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for $69. We expect to ship the
kits in mid-February (delivery of the boards from our contract
manufacturer is the gating factor).
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
The assembly manual with schematics can be downloaded at
http://www.tapr.org/~n8ur/PulsePuppy_Manual.pdfm but here are the specs
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
* Footprint for either Eurocase OCXO or Crystek CXOH20-BP-10.000
TCXO (TAPR has a bunch of these TCXOs remaining from another project
and, while they last, is offering them bundled with the PulsePuppy
for an attractive price).
* PPS divider uses TVB PD-13 firmware that includes capability to
synchronize to an external clock.
* TTL-level output at jumper-selectable 10 MHz, 100 PPS, 10 PPS,
or 1 PPS rates.
* A BNC output connector is included, but the board contains a
footprint
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
to install a user-provided SMA.
* 25-turn EFC trimmer with 0-5V range.
* Option to support sine-wave as well as square wave oscillators.
* Board dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5 inches.
TAPR is offering the PulsePuppy as a "semi-kit" that includes the
printed circuit board with all surface-mount components installed, and
a handful of through-hole parts (like voltage regulators, jumpers, and
connectors) for the user to install. By leaving these parts for the
user, the board can be customized -- for example to use different
voltages or to support a sine-wave oscillator.
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
Note that the kit DOES NOT include the oscillator, unless you buy the
Crystek TCXO bundle.
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
Happy Holidays to all!
John
<PulsePuppy-Multi_small.jpg><PulsePuppy_rev_b_small.jpg><Isotemp_OCXO131-100-hp5065a-adev.png>_______________________________________________
Post by John Ackermann N8UR
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Post by John Ackermann N8UR
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Mark Sims
2017-12-23 23:57:14 UTC
Permalink
Looks good and quite useful.

If you ever re-spin the board, I would recommend including a place for range limiting resistors on the ends of the EFC adjustment pot. That way they can be low TCR resistors and the TCR effects of the pot can be minimized and the EFC adjustment can be made less twitchy. But, at the expense of possibly needing to tweak the range resistors as the oscillator ages.
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Bob kb8tq
2017-12-24 00:18:41 UTC
Permalink
Hi

There’s a lot of debate out there about that.

When used as a variable resistor (two terminal device) there is no doubt that a
sereis resistor can help. When used as a voltage divider (three terminal device)
the claim by the pot manufacturing OCXO companies is that you are better with
no added resistors. The material in the pot is all same / same and the TC as a
divider is quite low. Yes, there are other opinions out there …..

Bob
Post by Mark Sims
Looks good and quite useful.
If you ever re-spin the board, I would recommend including a place for range limiting resistors on the ends of the EFC adjustment pot. That way they can be low TCR resistors and the TCR effects of the pot can be minimized and the EFC adjustment can be made less twitchy. But, at the expense of possibly needing to tweak the range resistors as the oscillator ages.
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Bruce Griffiths
2017-12-24 00:22:47 UTC
Permalink
An optional ressistor in series with gate output would be nice for reducing aberrations seen at a high impedance load at the end of a piece of 50 ohm coax.

Bruce
Post by Bob kb8tq
Hi
There’s a lot of debate out there about that.
When used as a variable resistor (two terminal device) there is no doubt that a
sereis resistor can help. When used as a voltage divider (three terminal device)
the claim by the pot manufacturing OCXO companies is that you are better with
no added resistors. The material in the pot is all same / same and the TC as a
divider is quite low. Yes, there are other opinions out there …..
Bob
Post by Mark Sims
Looks good and quite useful.
If you ever re-spin the board, I would recommend including a place for range limiting resistors on the ends of the EFC adjustment pot. That way they can be low TCR resistors and the TCR effects of the pot can be minimized and the EFC adjustment can be made less twitchy. But, at the expense of possibly needing to tweak the range resistors as the oscillator ages.
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and follow the instructions there.
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Mark Sims
2017-12-24 03:19:34 UTC
Permalink
That's what I thought, but in a real world application I got better results with the resistors/pot. It could have just been the pots I were using.

What also worked quite well was to thermally bond the pot to the OCXO case... poor man's oven stabilization.

---------------
Post by Bob kb8tq
When used as a voltage divider (three terminal device)
the claim by the pot manufacturing OCXO companies is that you are better with
no added resistors.
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