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Iterface IC 555 Project To Laptop or PC

Former Member

Hello,
How are you doing today?
I am a student of electronics, information technology and mathematics. I need to develop a way o display the IC 555 (astable mode o monostable mode) on and off to a laptop or a desktop. I need to show the accuracy of the RC time constant, or show the percentage difference between the formula and actual numbers being displayed...

 

Do you have ANY suggestions.


Let me know.

 

I look forward to hearing from you...

 

 


Thank you,

 

 

Charles L. Phillips

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  • 0 in reply to gadget.iom

    To accurately measure the time periods of the 555 circuit, you need an

    accurate measurement device.  One such potential device would be an Arduino

    (you can get a small Arduino board very reasonably priced).  You would have

    to connect it to your test circuit and write code for the Arduino board to

    monitor the output of the 555 (make sure you are using the same voltages on

    everything or you will have to address the issue of voltage level

    translation).  The Arduino would monitor the status and send that

    information to the laptop.  While a laptop with a parallel interface could,

    in theory, monitor the output of your 555 using one of the input lines on

    the interface, it would be very difficult since the OS on the laptop is

    busy doing multiple tasks so timing is very tough.  There are a number of

    sites dedicated to working with Arduino boards and creating "sketches"

    (their name for programs).  Another option is simply use a decent

    oscilloscope and measure the times that way, entering the information by

    hand into your table.  Depends on the accuracy needed - you don't mention

    just what your definition of "accuracy" is - 5%?, 1%? 1us?

     

    mikey

     

     

    mikey

     

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