Products > Test Equipment

Kontron/Tabor 6010 universal counter still worth getting?

<< < (9/11) > >>

0xdeadbeef:
What do you mean by obsolete? Like out of production or not needed by my DYI update or like there are much more advanced solutions available?

Regarding the 1st meaning, it's listed "active" on the IDT site (even if the search function there is somewhat dysfunctional):
https://www.idt.com/products/clocks-timing/clock-generation/clocks-general-purpose/601-01-low-phase-noise-clock-multiplier

Regarding my little project, it's not obsolete either since I want to use it for the x10 clock multiplier. Even if I had decided to not use the C-Mac 10MHz OCXO I have in the drawer and bought a 100MHz TCXO, the ICS601-01 would be still be useful to multiply an external 10MHz reference (i.e. GPSDO). Note that the 100MHz internal clock (Option 1) has certain advantages like reciprocal mode working up to 100MHz (instead of 10MHz) and measuering 8 instead of 7 digitis per second.

And should the ICS601-01 be obsolete in the sense there is a better option available, I'd be happy to hear it. Side note: I also checked the 601-02 and 670-01/02 and found the 601-01 seems to have the best phase noise and/or jitter specifications.

0xdeadbeef:
So nearly a year later I finally finished this little project. I reworked the PCB again, mainly put all the SMD stuff on the bottom to improve the routing.
For the sake of shorter signal paths and easier routing, I also sacrificed the idea to keep both jumpers together.

Still, this DIY upgrade provides the same functionality as the official TCXO update - actually even a bit better due to using an OCXO and an integrated low jitter PLL.
The only thing I haven't done yet is mounting a cable from the SMA connector to the rear panel. Still, the SMA connector can be either used to output the 10MHz OCXO signal or to input an external 10MHz reference that is multiplied to 100MHz as internal clock. Anyway, the TCXO/multiplier option is automatically detected as the board pulls J4/2 low as the original TCXO option. This also means that reciprocal mode is now working up to 100MHz. So full 9 digit resolution now also works for a gate time of 1s (for input frequencies <100MHz).
I also added a mounting hole btw. but don't use it yet. I'd first need to create some spacer with the proper length, but the board sits very tight anyway and couldn't slip out while the case is closed due to its height.

Two remarks:
Unfortunately, I didn't check the orientation when I soldered in the DIP switch. So it's rotated by 180° which means I had to switch position 3 on (connected to GND) to select the 10x multiplier.
Also, just as for the original board, the two jumpers F1a/F1b have to be moved to the "external" position to disconnect the 5ppm oscillator. If this isn't done, it would be connected to the 100MHz output of the TCXO board which would at least totally mess up the internal time base.

Ash:
Nice work 0xdeadbeef!

Great to see that the project was completed and working.

Cheers,
Ash.

0xdeadbeef:
Yeah, it took some time. But at least I didn't mess anything major up (apart from that DIP switch being the wrong way around) ;)
Talking of long time projects, as a little side project, I used the 2nd C-MAC OCXO to build a mini 10MHz reference. Actually this is something I began with in 2013 but my first PCB design was kinda screwed up back then and so the idea somehow got lost. But when I did that Tabor OCXO thing, I decided to make another small PCB for that standalone reference and it came out quite nice. Makes me smile when I look at it since it's so tiny and sweet. Not my best work with the file though  :-[

coromonadalix:
Nice project, congrats   :-+

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod