gamma spectrometer no menus
I programed a menu version, and although it works, I want no menus. So I added some buttons.
There will be a LCD driver PIC, that also does data processing (left socket), Next ot it the acquisition PIC, it samples the signals from the probe and forwards the processed data via a logic level RS232 link to the LCD PIC. It also does a keyboard scan between PMT pulses, complete with auto-repeat for all them buttons. The folded down electrolytic is where I want a MAX232 for communication with the PC, but these electrolytics are too high, got to get some smaller ones.
The recently discussed PIC boost converter power supply board with 2 AA batteries will be below this board, on pertinax. This was not the original idea, but there were more components in the power supply than expected, and this allows for other forms of of power, such as RTGs, that would then only require replacing that board, everything else including the PMT probe runs from
5V.A challenge is how to get readable text next to the buttons, or maybe even *on* the buttons.
There is also a nice green LED to show power is on if dark and the LCD backlight is off.
18 buttons total.