MRP-12 - Modified 12 Stage Ross Phaser

[chuckbuick]

Just wanted to "pop the hood" (bonnet for you UK blokes  ) to see that fantastic SMD layout again.  Truly inspirational, makes me want to do more SMD layouts/population now.  So clean.  The symmetry of the layout is so eye-pleasing.    

Just a couple dumb questions...this is mostly 0603 right?  Also..the "L" pads at the bottom of the PCB...are those for an inductor/LED/wiring?

Glad you like it.  Yeah, the resistors and most of the caps are 0603.  The L pads are for the LED's.  I ran 9V to the CLR then that goes to the pole of the bottom side of the rotary switch, then out to the individual LED's. The "LGND" pad is a common ground for the four indicator LED's and goes to the usual LED indicator ground on the 3PDT.  I was trying to minimize the wiring.  It only required 6 wires from the board.  9V and GND from the DC jack, IN, OUT, another ground (G2) for the board to the input jack and LGND.  I really don't like cutting and stripping wires.

[wgc]

Glad you like it.  Yeah, the resistors and most of the caps are 0603.  The L pads are for the LED's.  I ran 9V to the CLR then that goes to the pole of the bottom side of the rotary switch, then out to the individual LED's. The "LGND" pad is a common ground for the four indicator LED's and goes to the usual LED indicator ground on the 3PDT.  I was trying to minimize the wiring.  It only required 6 wires from the board.  9V and GND from the DC jack, IN, OUT, another ground (G2) for the board to the input jack and LGND.  I really don't like cutting and stripping wires.

Mark, I keep looking at this, super sweet. It makes me rethink the 0805s I'm using. I think my tolerance for enjoying wires stops at about 8; for me, the fewer the better.

I did a little looking at the data sheets on those chips. The only thing I think that might make a difference is some buffering on 13700 s, usually not a difference, but for a phaser, it might need some tweaking.   Also, TI will often provide samples if you ask.

[micromegas]

this is insane!! and cool!

[davent]

Terrifying!

[jkokura]

The SMD skills required for that are unreal. I don't think I'll ever even attempt something so difficult, so kudos to you for not only trying, but executing that build so well.

Jacob

[blearyeyes]

+1 to everything said....Holy Granola man, how's a poor semi noob supposed to keep going?

OK take a deep breath...baby steps....

[chuckbuick]

Thanks guys.  The real secret to doing SMD work is that it isn't very difficult.  A little magnification (I use an Optivisor), and some metal tweezers go a long way.  I also prefer .015" diameter solder and a fine soldering tip.  The rest is pretty much like thru-hole, just without the holes.

Years ago I saw an interview with former World Superbike champ, Colin Edwards.  He said the key to racing in the rain is to tell yourself and convince yourself that you like racing in the rain.  When you do that you have an advantage over your competition.  SMD is just racing in the rain.  Now I have an advantage over these tiny parts.

If you think you're interested in giving it a try, pickdropper's No Mojo fuzz is a good way to start.  Also, wgc mentioned in a recent thread that he might be doing a board that is noob friendly so watch for that, too.

Thanks again for all the kind words, guys.

[wgc]

So true. There are some learning curves and things are smaller but really not that much different. Lately I'm finding that magnification is helpful no matter what I'm building. 

And I actually do like it better than thru hole.

I'm offering some of my riotous pcbs for sale and Aballen has an smd cornholio. (I also did a cornholio pcb but it hasn't arrived yet.)

This is a magnificent layout/build, regardless!