Home › Magazines › 2005 › April › SC Analyser 2005

SC Analyser 2005

Semiconductor Device Tester

Published in issue 342, April 2005

SC Analyser 2005
Almost every electronic circuit contains bipolar transistors, FETs or diodes. Most electronics hobbyists have a supply of such components removed from old circuit boards. A tester that can be used to sort out the leads and measure the characteristics is thus a handy tool.
The parts list states a wrong enclosure; this should a Hammond type 1593YBK.
In the Components List on page 39, the order code for the programmed PIC (IC2) should be corrected to read: 030451-41.
Unfortunately, an early version of the PCB artwork is shown in Figure 5. Although it will produce a properly working instrument, the PCB design shown lacks the extra decoupling for the PLED display mentioned in the article. The PCB supplied through our Readers Services does have space and copper tracks for the extra decoupling network and comes with a corresponding note to customers.

Several readers have reported difficulties with the configuration bits to set up in the PIC. The confusion is owing to poorly defined standards at Microchip. Because all status bits are at ‘1’ with a new processor, there are options where ‘1’ means ‘enabled’, while for other options it means ‘disabled’. To add to the confusion, some programmer systems (including the one currently in use at Elektor labs) employ the notation ‘on’ and ‘off’.
The essential options are the oscillator, watchdog timer, low-voltage programming and in-circuit debugger. The following list provides the desired state for each option, where ‘0’ = unprogrammed and ‘1’ = programmed.
Options:
bit 13, CP: Flash Program Memory Code Protection bit; 1
bit 11, DEBUG: In-Circuit Debugger Mode bit; 1
bit 10-9, WRT1:WRT0 Flash Program Memory Write Enable bits; 11
bit 8, CPD: Data EEPROM Memory Code Protection bit; 1
bit 7, LVP: Low-Voltage (Single-Supply) In-Circuit Serial Programming Enable bit; 1
bit 6, BOREN: Brown-out Reset Enable bit; 1
bit 3, PWRTEN: Power-up Timer Enable bit; 0
bit 2, WDTEN: Watchdog Timer Enable bit; 0
bit 1-0, FOSC1:FOSC0: Oscillator Selection bits; 11

Click below to download a PDF copy of this article from Elektor magazine.

 

Downloads 

PDF Article (U050434.pdf)
10 Elektor Credits
PCB layout (030451-PCB.pdf)
10 Elektor Credits
 

Order from Elektor 

PCB 030451-1
030451-1 (USD 10.50)
PIC16F876-20/SP (programmed) 030451-41
030451-41 (USD 23.40)
 

Free downloads 

030451-11.zip

Free download

Please note. In view of the complexity of international markets, Elektor cannot guarantee the availability of components for this project.

Subscribe now

Free Newsletter!

News, tips, offers, videos and more. Take out a free membership to Elektor.POST. In your email inbox each Friday!

 

Enter your Email address:

Follow Elektor

      

Act now!

FAQ

Before submitting questions, review our FAQ section!

Package Deals

Elektor Bundles

Check our Package Deals and save money! Discounts up to 19% now available!

Price Slashed

Elektor OSPV

This Open Source People Vehicle is perfect for factory halls, warehouses, hospitals, colleges, schools etc.