Electronics > Open Source Hardware

Open Source "Lab instrument system" Idea

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Bloch:
Where have before been talk of a

Community Bench Meter and Open Source Multimeter


And that has been mentioned several things that makes it's impossible or at least why it will not happen.

When designing equipment for example a multimeter. It is normal to try meet everyone's needs but that is almost always impossible.

* Price
* function
* accuracy
* Size
* etcAnd this will in a open source “forum” be a never ending discussion .
This is a proposal for usable open source diy lab equipment. "lab instrument system" / "bench instrument" Still working on a god name  ;D 

 
Instead of building a multi-function instrument. So, the system consists of simple modules.

* Volt meter.
* Ampere meter
* Ohm meter
* Digital power supply
* Digital input/output
* etcEvery module is divided in a front end and a output end.
The idea is that we don't care about the front end but have a very easy text protocol out of the module.
Every module can the be expanded with a

* logger cpu.
* Controls
* displayThere can also be a "main" module to collect all modules to a big display and or a COM /  ETH / bluetooth etc. to controle it from a PC/MAC/Phone

David_AVD:
I've been thinking of a similar thing for a while.  So far, I've been looking into the PC software side of things and was looking to use the SCPI protocol.  Unfortunately it's fallen to the back burner for now due to lack of hours in the day!

FenderBender:
Would be a nice idea, though I don't know if it could really compete with any production model. I mean even autoranging might be a challenge, though off the top of my head I think I can figure out how to do it...

However, what something like this might offer is a good all around solution for the hobbyist or shallow-pocketed.

When you proposed the idea, it reminded me of the Tek 7xxx series that has a mainframe and then plug-in units.


photo by tekfan

If you were to sell it like that though, you'd need a custom enclosure of some sort.

Well who knows. Maybe it can happen.

jucole:
Hi,  after reading through the open-source multimeter comments I got the impression the 'module' approach was quite popular.   So why not use perhaps an old flat screen monitor like the one Dave brought back from the dead in his video as a dedicated display for a multi-test tool - this is very rough etc but something along the lines of...



Afterwards I realised that a separate remote box unit with the inputs / buttons on it would work better.  just a thought anyway! ;-)

FenderBender:
You'd have to figure out how to drive it. I guess you'd essentially need to have a PC. Maybe running Unix of some sort.

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