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May 11, 2021 Archives
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
CONTINUITY: Vacuum Tube Computer Part 12: Redesigning the Logic Unit and Building Buffers
After experimenting with an actual MC14500, it's decided to extend the design to support full binary arithmetic including carry, which on the original Motorola design requires lengthy bit-twiddling. Driving the resulting arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) will require more fan-out than the instruction decoder provides, so once again it's time to add buffer circuitry. At this point, the largely repetitive circuitry is complete, and it's time to contemplate the messy random logic which the ALU will require.
Posted at
11:43
CONTEXT: Sidewinder — The Missile That Changed Air Combat
Posted at
10:15
CONTINUITY: Bright Lights: The Story of Neon Signs
Geissler tubes filled with various gases that fluoresce when electrified were popular novelties in the 19th century, often made in whimsical shapes. If you have a Tesla coil, you really ought to have a few Geissler tubes which will light up in its vicinity without a wired connection. You can find them on eBay.
Posted at
08:55
TRACKING WITH CLOSEUPS: The Joys of Surface-Mount Components
The designers of this PCB didn't think soldermask alignment would be so bad, or that copper-to-copper clearance would be an issue... this solder bridge was hidden under a part...and *not* easy to find. pic.twitter.com/5E6YVvT6be
— Ben Krasnow (@BenKrasnow) May 11, 2021
Posted at
07:59