EDN mag schematic quality

Nov 28, 2007 20 Replies

Maybe I am just cranky.



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Boris Mohar

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A better link,

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The real problem is the company's rather poor graphics and literature-creation skills. Mixed-Signal Integration's website,

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and product datasheets, provides a huge source of "what not to do".

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It's a three-man shop, they're too busy designing and making money, what do you expect, dancing flamingos ?:-)

(I contribute designs from time-to-time.)

...Jim Thompson

| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC\'s and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

That wideband peak detector is nice.

I'm sure your designs, and theirs, are fine. But their web site says little, and the datasheets are completely unreadable in places. If they want to remain a custom shop, fine, then they will. :-)

It was a surprise to me that they have a website ;-)

I'll let them know of this discussion.

...Jim Thompson

| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC\'s and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

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The ads from EDN are disgusting. It's a pity to see that kind of whoring from the formely good magazine.

As for the schematic, I would do this analyser with one PIC or AVR instead of all of that mess.

Vladimir Vassilevsky DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant

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I just heard back from John. He'll be checking in to learn from your critiques.

...Jim Thompson

| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

OK, I can make a few quick suggestions. First, change that horrible font, to something more standard and readable. It's awful. Perhaps it doesn't render properly on all computers and web browsers. Second, check to see if your figures are readable on other computers - they don't on mine (Windows XP with Acrobat reader). Third, add specs the user needs, such as the minimum operating frequency for a switched-capacitor filter, as well as the maximum. And, etc.

Hello Usenet readers,

My name is Jeff Thompson and I work at Mixed Signal Integration. I am responsible for the web site and the data sheets. We always welcome suggestions on our web site and our data sheets. Winfield seems to have several valuable suggestions so I will contact him offline for more information.

Also, for the record, Mixed Signal Integration has 12 employees. MSI operates using the fabless-semiconductor business model common these days in Silicon Valley. Most of the employees are design engineers or other technical staff.

Contact MSI at info AT mix DASH sig DOT com

Thanks, Jeff Thompson MSI

Sorry for the miscount, Jeff, but I never met anyone there but you, John and Doug... but that was indeed way back in 2001 ;-)

...Jim Thompson

| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC\'s and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

"Boris Mohar" ...

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I find publishing (and rewarding) designs with 1N4001s used to rectify micropower at 13 MHz more of a problem...

Regards, Arie de Muijnck

OK, Jeff, I'd be happy to offer a few more suggestions (see my first three already).

Indeed, and then suggesting adding power, etc., instead of replacing them, as an improvement.

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It's not artsy, but it's OK. Better than a Flash extravaganza, like NXP or something. The parts themselves aren't too exciting, though.

But "preliminary" datasheets from 2005...?

John

It's not OK when you can't read some of the figures, including pinout drawings, and when the font gives you a head ache trying to read it.

I've seen that with the big IC vendors too -- they release a datasheet and apparently it all works the way they thought (or at least no one reports any huge discrepancies), so they never bother to go back and update it.

NXP has got rid of the flash s*it, thank whoever (or at least the page doesn't demand flash). Also they've simplified datasheet access.

robert

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Maybe yellow boxes are better than black boxes?

Hi folks,

I have just posted

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a revised data sheet for the MSTHDA integrated circuit, which is used in the EDN magazine design idea under discussion here. We have added two application schematics to the data sheet, as well as a list of authorized sales representatives.

If people continue to have problems reading certain graphics or have trouble with certain fonts, please feel free to post here or contact us at

info AT mix DASH sig DOT com

Regards, Jeff Thompson MSI

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