Re: bike light optics

On Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:13:44 -0400, Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
wrote:

I read somewhere once where a cable testing with PWM was a thing, never
saw any real world applications for it though.

As a last resort, it might be useful to ask an expert.  In this case,
it's Microsoft CoPilot, which was just installed on my Windoze 10
desktop without my permission.

I asked the AI:
"Is PWM used for testing cables?"

and the AI replied (mercifully edited for brevity by me):

"Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a technology primarily used to
control the speed of fans and pumps in computer systems. It works by
modulating the voltage delivered to the device, allowing for precise
control over fan speeds, which results in optimized cooling and
minimized noise."

This is what's meant by fan speed control:
<https://www.onecomputerguy.com/pwm-cable-2/>
No, it's not a cable tester.

"However, PWM can also be used in testing certain circuits. For
instance, to confirm if the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is
commanding control, you can employ a test light or a noid light. The
test light can be attached in series (between the two terminals) and
the circuit evoked. The light should pulse. If it doesn't, either the
wiring back to the ECU is compromised, or the ECU is not sending a
command."

That's a complicated explanation for a continuity tester that
intermittently beeps when there's a connection.  Yes, that might be a
primitive cable tester, but is probably now what Tom designed.

Noid lights are used for testing fuel injectors.  I thought it was a
crude abreviation for "No Idea" or for traffic stops, "no
identification" papers:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bROO1zanlRU>  (2:04)
Pleeze add "noid" to your speling chequer.

"In terms of cable testing, there are specific devices like the PWM 21
inspection unit that makes real-time encoder diagnosis and automatic
encoder identification possible. But generally, PWM is not commonly
used for testing cables. Standard cable testing often involves
different maintenance and diagnostic techniques."

<https://www.heidenhain.us/products/testing-inspection-devices/testing-of-encoders/pwm-21/>
<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L7ASGIY>
That's not a cable tester but rather an encoder tester.  Bottom line
is that Cortana/Bing/CoPilot could not find an example of cable
testing using PWM.

"Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/10/2024"

Someone should tell Microsoft that Bing previously was called Cortana
and is now called CoPilot. 


--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
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