stupid idea: nixie peak level display

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tonzauber

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Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Messages
118
I wan to build a numeric peak hold level display. Preferrably from a PCM source, but analogue would be possible as well.
So it should read the highest dB value encountered since the last reset.

For the beauty of it, I want to realise the display itself with nixie tubes.

This is just a drunken idea that came up last night... any idea of what "easy" approaches would be suitable? I have no experoence in D S P so far.

thanks,

georg
 
;D  Have another beer...

You want it to read out  numerical dB?

You don't need dsp for a simple meter but a microprocessor would help crunch the level in numerical dB.

JR
 
Hi,

I recently watched these two videos about nixie tubes, I found them very informative.

I know, this is not the direct solution to your problem but it may help your design with nixie tubes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytF5bvPGcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAx4ehqRSPE
 
Thanks for the input

So the steps would be:

- decode AES signal to PCM
- analyze PCM data
- calculate dB value
- update & hold highest value until reset
- display output

Hm I fear I need to ask some programmer friends :)
 
DIR9001 + PCM3070 running a miniDSP Process flow that will do your level detection, then use an MSP430 or PIC to read the values from the PCM3070 and light up your nixies.

 
Rochey said:
DIR9001 + PCM3070 running a miniDSP Process flow that will do your level detection, then use an MSP430 or PIC to read the values from the PCM3070 and light up your nixies.

Or use a micro with I2S port and skip the conversion stage.

-a
 
Andy Peters said:
Rochey said:
DIR9001 + PCM3070 running a miniDSP Process flow that will do your level detection, then use an MSP430 or PIC to read the values from the PCM3070 and light up your nixies.

Or use a micro with I2S port and skip the conversion stage.

-a

I wasn't even thinking of using the converters in the  PCM3070. I was thinking of the miniDSP that's inside it and having it do the weighted averaging etc.

Plus, which small and simple micro's have I2S ports on them?

/R
 
Rochey said:
Andy Peters said:
Rochey said:
DIR9001 + PCM3070 running a miniDSP Process flow that will do your level detection, then use an MSP430 or PIC to read the values from the PCM3070 and light up your nixies.

Or use a micro with I2S port and skip the conversion stage.

-a

I wasn't even thinking of using the converters in the  PCM3070. I was thinking of the miniDSP that's inside it and having it do the weighted averaging etc.

Plus, which small and simple micro's have I2S ports on them?

/R
The microchip pic I used have I2s but is suspect most do...

What kind of weighted averaging do you need for a peak hold? PPM is something like 4mSec attack which isn't that hard to do (I've done that on simple RISC platform along with other stupid meter tricks).

I haven't tried to strip levels from AES digital but probably not rocket science.


JR
 
> numeric peak hold level display. ...analogue would be possible..., I want to realise the display itself with nixie tubes.

How is this different from an early Nixie DVM?

OK, you ask for a fancier AD/DC converter than most bench meters. And you want a LOG conversion in front. For modest shirt-sleeve accuracy, a couple diodes will do.

Heath made a 2-1/2 digit Nixie DMM. Simple, elegant.

H-P and all the big boys made Nixie DMMs for a while.

eBay!
 
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