Re: Genocide Joe is beginning to stink like Lyndon B. Johnson

On Thu, 9 May 2024 23:19:20 +0200, Jeroen Belleman
<jeroen@nospam.please> wrote:

On 5/9/24 22:35, john larkin wrote:

On Thu, 9 May 2024 22:16:53 +0200, Jeroen Belleman
<jeroen@nospam.please> wrote:
 

On 5/9/24 19:38, john larkin wrote:

On Thu, 9 May 2024 19:09:14 +0200, Jeroen Belleman
<jeroen@nospam.please> wrote:
>

On 5/9/24 17:29, bitrex wrote:

On 5/9/2024 10:06 AM, John Larkin wrote:
>

And I can integrate some other functions, too. Look at all the fun parts
you get for 40 cents in small quantity. These things have been solid
money-makers for me so far
>

>
People keep re-inventing the "analog FPGA" but none seem to have been
successful. There must be some deep fundamental reason why.

>
More briefly, asynchronous mixed-signal design can be annoying as you've
probably experienced. Have to even more carefully consider timings and
race conditions, the lull between clock edges can't save you.

>
I *like* to use asynchronous state machines in my designs from
time to time. It's not really so different from synchronous
design, and it's a natural solution in many situations. It's
just that setup and hold times apply to more inputs than just
a clock.
>
Jeroen Belleman

>
Most of us did async logic when we were kids, before we found out
about proper state machines and metastability and such.
>
There are occasional fads for async logic (Intel had one) but they
don't seem to stick either.
>
People manage to screw up synchronous state machines too!
>
I recently did a box full of GigaComm picosecond logic, async of
course. A laser modulator. It got us a VIP tour of NIF, with free
lunch.
>
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m8zc7g56jul39d0/NIF_Tour-Highland%20Tech%20group%20photo%20TC.jpg?raw=1
>

>
Nice. Which one is you?
>
Jeroen Belleman

 
Left rear, blue shirt, behind The Brat.
 
NIF is great to work with. Friendly, collegial, smart. They are
physicists who appreciate good electronics.
 
The masks are partly covid, part because it's a rather large clean
room.
 
One great discovery on that project was the Micrel SY88022 laser
driver. It's good for a lot more than driving lasers.
 

>
>
Interesting chip, indeed. Just the sort of thing to build fast
samplers or TDRs with. Thanks for the tip.
>
Jeroen Belleman

It will accept a small differential input and output a fierce, fast
s.e. or differential out with adjustable amplitide down to zero. Nice
pulse generator.

My chain is

gigacomm logic
SY88 gain and amplitude control
Distributed amplifier
Lithium niobate modulator

Scary expensive stuff.