tk@halmi
Well-known member
Here we go again... I am about to create a larger DOA format to make construction easier and enable opamps with larger part counts. The 1"x1" format restricts the number of transistors you can cramp on there to about 10 plus the supporting resistors and capacitors. I am not ready to go to surface mount expecially after the horror stories posted here about SMD resistors.
Also, the pins are difficult to source for many and they are not so easy to line up well unless you have a jig.
Here is what I have in mind:
1. Make the board stand on its edge as opposed to laying down. This configuration has been used successfully in commercial products already.
2. Use a 10 (2x5) pin double row headers with used commonly in computers. I also thought about the 9 pin RS232 type plugs that are extremely common. I am opne to suggestions.
3. Make the board 2" long and 1" tall or if space allows 2" tall. It is usually easier to grow verically once you have an existing host PCB you are plugging this into.
4. Besides the old convention of +in, -in, out, gnd, +v, -v, and offset adjust add a -out and a feedback point pin. The feedback point pin is useful if you need to add a inductor or resistor between it and the output. The -out would come handy for balanced devices.
Cooling could be done with off the shelf heatsinks so there would be no need for potting. You could still smother your components with that epoxy to obscure them if necessary. :roll:
I will post a drawing if there is enough interest although I would prefer to get some input on it first.
Cheers,
Tamas
Also, the pins are difficult to source for many and they are not so easy to line up well unless you have a jig.
Here is what I have in mind:
1. Make the board stand on its edge as opposed to laying down. This configuration has been used successfully in commercial products already.
2. Use a 10 (2x5) pin double row headers with used commonly in computers. I also thought about the 9 pin RS232 type plugs that are extremely common. I am opne to suggestions.
3. Make the board 2" long and 1" tall or if space allows 2" tall. It is usually easier to grow verically once you have an existing host PCB you are plugging this into.
4. Besides the old convention of +in, -in, out, gnd, +v, -v, and offset adjust add a -out and a feedback point pin. The feedback point pin is useful if you need to add a inductor or resistor between it and the output. The -out would come handy for balanced devices.
Cooling could be done with off the shelf heatsinks so there would be no need for potting. You could still smother your components with that epoxy to obscure them if necessary. :roll:
I will post a drawing if there is enough interest although I would prefer to get some input on it first.
Cheers,
Tamas