Sunday 28 April 2019

Amazing Shit You Can Do With Cheap FPGAs!

Well, when I say you, I do not mean that I could do this! I mean Sylvain Munaut can do it!


At 14 mins 18 secs, he implements a digital-analogue converter.

At 17 mins 25 secs he implements an accurate GPSDO which tracks the phase of the PPS signal, as well as the frequency. GPSDOs can be used for phase-synchronous distributed applications at high frequencies, so not just for synchronising audio input to city-wide audio amplifiers for son et lumiere events, like this, but also: "GPSDOs can be used to provide synchronization of multiple RF receivers, allowing for RF phase coherent operation among the receivers and applications, such as passive radar and ionosondes." See also this fibre optical interface board.

At 22 mins 25 secs, he apparently implements most of a USB stack in hardware. ...

This is at the least a kit for upgrading your commute to work and back, not just in Okinawa, but anywhere, ...


So, having learned programming, the next step is to learn how to program designs for electronic systems, like Music Synthesizers, for example.


Women should not feel discouraged by the apparently high geek quotient here. Watch Jeri Ellsworth explaining how to use dynamic flip-flops, ...


... and how they're used in Direct Digital Synthesis, ...



.... and then, how magnetic core logic works, ...



... then go back and listen to Sylvain talking about how he tested the timing calculations against actual results using a closed-loop oscillator, and how he implemented the DA converter and the PPS phase detection, and you will get a glimpse of the potential of this tech. Next, learn about why designing hardware and software at the same time is more fun, and produces better results, ...



... Then help us set up a workspace here in Cochabamba where we can do classes and presentations like this, and rent lab and work space, and get pizza and coffee 24/7, ...


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