[hpsdr] Enclosure/Form Factor, was Re: Call for Project Leaders

[Eric Ellison]

Ben

Did you see the next message from John? Clever, but dunno about that one
tho! (smile)

We got a site for uploading pictures.

Sounds like a good start!

Eric


-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Hall [mailto:kd5byb at bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 10:48 PM
To: Eric Ellison
Cc: hpsdr at hpsdr.org
Subject: Re: Enclosure/Form Factor, was Re: [hpsdr] Call for Project Leaders

Hi Eric and group,

Thanks for the background - I'll do some searching in the archives to 
see what transpired last year.

A computer case has some real positives and some problem areas.  One of 
the things I'm going to do is take a look at the cases I have here and 
at work and see how some cardboard cut-outs of 220 x 100 mm boards would 
look/fit.  Between myself and work, I've got quite a collection!

Will have to take some pictures.

thanks and 73,
ben, KD5BYB




Eric Ellison wrote:
> Ben - Sorry - Gotta get used to the nature of the Gmail!
> 
> Ben
> 
> I'll have to give a VERY brief 'thumbnail' sketch of about 2 to 3 months
of
> rather intense brainstorming and discussion. I think they are all in the
> achieves.
> 
> Early on in the first month or so of the project, those assembled felt
that
> a buss structure of some sort was the way to go. Making the boards modular
> and easier and less espensive to 'upgrade' or modify also using 'building
> block' functions for efficiency.
> 
> Any number of 'off the shelf' buss type structures were discussed,
including
> ATX, MiniATX, Euro etc. Riser cards are quite inexpensive, and we would
not
> have to manufactured build or inventory any hardware.
> 
> After many discussions with no actual consensus, Phil Covington, went away
> for a week or so did his magic, and had a completely laid out ATLAS board
> when he returned! It wonderfully featured all the concepts we had been
> discussing. It used the EuroCard din connectors for strength, durability,
> and availablility. We had also decided that an inexpensive ATX power
supply
> could be used to supply almost any voltage we needed. After taking
> suggestions for modifications, and testing 3 prototypes. Atlas was cast in
> stone.
> 
> When the first OZY and Janus layouts were proposed, I had been away for a
> couple of weeks. And when I looked, I more or less exclaimed to the list
> that the connector was on the wrong side! It was strict 1U EuroCard form.
> Allowing only one edge for the myriad of connections and connectors we had
> been discussing. My concept had been that we would be putting it in a PC
> enclosure. After a week or 2 of intense discussions, it was decided to go
> away from the EuroCard form factor and essentially go to ATX form factors
> allowing the use of PC enclosures, power supplies, case mounted indicators
> etc. It would potentially allow for 3 edges of the card to be used for
> connections. 1 to the 'outside world' at the rear of the enclosure, and 2
> more on the inside world. The specs for the cards are published in Horst's
> excellent documentation in the Atlas manual.
> 
> Off and On here, there have been discussions of enclosures, and power
supply
> mods etc. The board design allows for a lot of flexibility for choosing an
> off the shelf solution. We also discussed custom cases, I think including
> the enclosure used by Flex for the SDR-1000. Since we are just now getting
> to the question of "What do I put it in?", it is probably time to do the
> research again as we are waiting for our cards. 
> 
> This list as you will see, has always been an informal place where folks
can
> and have really been thinking outside the box! As a result we are all
> contributing in our own way and skill area, (or just learning for that
> matter) to create REALLY innovative state of the art 'products' using open
> source tools as much as possible. No formal peer review, no particular
> rules, just open suggestion bread boarding and testing. Challenge response
-
> Googling, researching, then DO IT! All mixed in with some 'benevolent
> dictators' to make decisions when they need to be made. We already know we
> have he best electronics designers, and experts here and making comments.
> 
> I hope all who were around during the discussions not pick nits in my
brief
> very abbreviated dialog here. The actual discussions are a matter of
record
> for all who would like to review.
> 
> Sounds like you are working with and designing just what we are thinking a
> REALLY flexible, cost effective custom solution.
> 
> We have a number of options for Polls, like Dale's website "interest" area
> just used.
> 
> It just takes a project leader to get it started and probably a
> Mythological, Cartoonish, name appropriate to the device function.
> 
> Go for it!
> Eric


 1172407045.0