Viewer-designed, Tauntek TTL IC tester!
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2021
- We build and test the very excellent Tauntek Logic IC Tester kit, designed by viewer Robert Grieb. We also compare it to the great MiniPro TL866.
www.tauntek.com/LogICTester-lo...
Music Credits: "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Ten Rupees" by Neskvartetten on ocremix: ocremix.org/remix/OCR01408
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Contact info: czcams.com/users/curiousmarca... - Věda a technologie
There's some irony when CuriousMarc, of all people, points out an electronic interface as "old-fashioned" :)
the device looks very retro indeed.
classic "80s style" PCB with through hole components. And all those resistors! Beautiful!
The TL866 is great to use under Linux with the minipro Software, which current version offers TTL testing as well and allows to add your own test vectors in a text file to test chips not contained in its database. The large socket even allows to test peripheral chips like a 8255. It is however not dedicated to chip testing, which explains its restrictions.
I made one of these as my BSEE senior project in 1983! I took about 1/3 of the TTL book as the “chips tested”. I got an A+. LOL
nice! That's a great idea for a project too, since you get an actually-useful thing out of it at the end
"...after testing we found that it's a Penta inverter" :)
Only works in Volvo marine applications.
@@1971merlin Specially made for capsizing them
2:25 Careful! This incantation may conjure up a Dave Jones
OOOhhh.... So we do get to see the keyboard fixed? Been waiting a long time for that!
Oh boy that keyboard was hard. It’s still waiting for some unusual chips.
Marc, thank you for doing this video. I went ahead and purchased the board and all the parts to build my own to help with troubleshooting and repair of my old Atari systems. This is going to be a very helpful tool.
Back when I was doing a lot of board repair, I used an ABI System 8 BFL which could do functional IC testing in-circuit as well as VI curve tracing on each pin, with the option of automatically comparing results with known-good board signatures. Saved so much time!
I see your TI book says "Crane" on the bottom. Do you know who had it originally, or was it a surplus find? I have very vague memories with working with a Bob Crane in the early 70s, and I think he moved up north when the industry really started up there. (I wish I could remember more about him, but I'm blanking on everything but the name now.)
It is late Ron Crane’s databook. The co-founder of 3Com, and designer of one of the first (the first?) 10Mb Ethernet interface, once Ethernet got standardized after the experimental 3Mb Xerox Alto. Great things were done with that book. See Ron in this video: czcams.com/video/XhIohWr10kU/video.html
I inherited the same TI book from a guy who worked for Ampex for decades. I also was given his mint condition Zenith Z-159 with all manuals and original brochure from when he purchased it in 1979. I still use his tube manuals and TTL books in 2021!
@@CuriousMarc I got mine from a teacher that was throwing it out. I was like is that literally a hardbound TI databook I'll take that and he's like but it's garbage but okay lol
The '64 and '65 chips are actually not that weird. They are well suited to implement logical "sum-of-product" terms which can be obtained from simplifications using Karnaugh-diagrams or the Quine-McClusky algorithm.
Current version of TL866 (II-Plus) have the option to define own logic test vectors (but unfortunately, test vectors in its database have many errors).
I had not even thought about the analysis of the voltages and currents in the chips. I am trying to design a tester similar to the TL866 but now I want to add this function as well and maybe even the test of some RAM models. Nice also that vintage tester you used.
I just thought of the same thing - my concept for now would be to use an AVR-microcontroller with enough digital pins (not a master-slave construction as the one Marc had) and two 16channel analog switches. A possible platform could be an Arduino Mega, but I would probably not use the Arduino framework for my project
@@uwezimmermann5427 I think I will use PIC18F87J50 as in the TL866. The cost of the chip is cheap, only 4 €. My concept is to create a PC interface connected by USB cable. The data sent to the PC will be processed by software or vice versa. In this way I will have to enter the parameters of the chips only in the sw. Currently not all power pins are connected to the ZIF. This limits the number of chips I can test.
@@leonardochiruzzi7642 I am not a PIC-fanboy and more than just happy that Microchip even started to release new AVR chips since they have swallowed Atmel for its ARM-license. I tell my students that once they know how one microcontroller works they will be able to use almost any microcontroller, but I'll stick with my AVRs for now 😎
Very nice! This would have been an amazing project to develop back in the day in Uni
I have two books from TI with logice and the other CPU and memory. Invaluable. I paid nothing for them...I simply asked for it back as a youngster.
Samtec turned-pin sockets throughout - Yess!!! Full Marcs to you :-)
I'm buying the tauntek soon for sure
I used to love having an EPROM programmer for use with my BBC Micro. Such a thrill to add 'instantly available' software to a device. Sadly I have no reason to own or use one these days.
Was it a Watford Electronics Adder? I've got one of those.
@8:28 another great feature with the Tauntek is that it auto unloads the ZIF in anticipation of removing an IC 😁
The XGecu TL866cs II plus offers an even more powerful IC testing capabilities. You can define your own vectors table so you can add chips into the database yourself
great video. Having issues getting my Tauntek tester to connect via USB>serial. It works with an old XP laptop but not over USB
Very cool tester
The Breadbord: "You uderestimate my power!"
Electroboom: "Don't try it Breadbord, I have the high voltage"
By my understanding, one's a dedicated tool, the other has an extra function to account for that usage. There shouldn't be a question of choice between them, but the TL866 seems to have done well enough.
Interesting. I wonder if in future it could also test vintage DEC Unibus/Qbus 8881's, 8641's and 380A's at their specific current ratings.
This would look amazing connected to a tty - and to that HP terminal
Ohh yes. Stick a Teletype on that tester ❤️
I was going to, but it uses VT100 escape codes to do the highlighting :-( . I need to ask for a special TTY and HP 2645 compatible version!
@@CuriousMarc no one that has a DEC VT100 ?
"Penta Inverter" Made me chuckle :)
Nice overview. Just a note, I don't know which version of TL866 you are using exactly, but the TL866II+, which is the most common today and is compatible with Xgopro software in version 11. It has more ICs in the list, which can be tested and it has auto detection. So you don't need to select the model anymore. Just put the IC into the TL866II+ and press the test button.
you have a link to the software?
Sorry to comment something off topic, but I'm curious if you ever hold meet ups in the bay area. I love watching your videos while doing work, and you seem like an interesting fellow to have a drink or coffee with.
I use a bk precision 560 for testing ttl, cmos and some ram chips. It will do some onboard testing, but it's sketchy at best, it's better as a stand alone tester.
Ooh, aah! Nice vintage unit!
The command screen brings me back to my beginning on an Atari 800. Learning Atari Basic and typing in programs from the newest edition of Compute magazine. I think I had more fun back then than I do now. Only chip stuff I did was whether I had a GTIA or CTIA chip in the ole clunker.
None of that tin plated pincer rubbish, darn right! :)
Nice review Marc 😁 See what you think of my tester if you get a mo'. It shows you the pin names and let's you exercise the chip manually too.
I found your video czcams.com/video/HuOHcBA2As8/video.html
link to @Michael Benn ‘s tester video: czcams.com/video/HuOHcBA2As8/video.html
@@CuriousMarc Oops, I should have included the link myself! Thanks Marc & Nuts - odd way to put it I suppose ;-)
I can't believe I got to this when it had 1 view :)
You deserve to win a vintage TTL circuit, guaranteed broken as proven by the Tauntek!
@@CuriousMarc I think I'll pass (or , should that be fail?)
I use the newer T56. Newer but mostly the same and has higher voltages to support old school EPROMs. It's digital and not a true chip tester like the Tauntek. There's a need for both on the bench.
Judging by the layout it looks like a "DAC per pin" device, but can it handle those odd chips with power pins in the middle?
I like the contrast between the automated testers and Ken's manual testing.
I'm lacking the white coat so guess I'll settle with the automated tester.
Can I ask what reference book you have for the chip diagrams?
Later it became known as the Texas Instruments TTL databook I think. An oldie but very goodie.
Wonder if anyone has modeled a 3D printed enclosure for the Tauntek? I just ordered one, so may be on my todo list if not already done. I also have been integrating inexpensive little FTDI boards in RS232 projects to provide 'native' usb. Don't have to worry about finding the adapter if you move to different PC.
thank you for the french traduction :)
Et merci pour le remerciement!
could Bob fancify it by adding hardware so the chip-lookup database can be found through internet so he doesn't need to reprogram the PICs but could add its characteristics to the database ?
8:52 He tells the joke with such a straight face that you don't even notice it...
do you need 7425-chips? I have two desoldered ones from 1976...
Thanks for the offer, but I got some from Marcel already. Marcel has everything…
I did note that you aligned all the colour bands on the resistors. Just like I would. Does this mean we both need help?
It helps in aligning the electrons better, they don’t get disoriented.
I'm a simple guy. IC tester video, I upvote
Hi Curious Mark. Can you confirm the pinout of the IDC10 to DB9 Female Socket?
Finally!
Thanks, this is a very interesting device. Would like to build something like this for fixing retro machines.
Could you change the terminal font though? It's hard to read.
Older terminals used a limited screen resolution because the bitmaps for the font had limited memory, usually a 6 by 8 bit font.
@@acmefixer1 it's a Windows terminal though, they can use any font they like. It seems to have a scanline effect applied that makes it look bad on a 1080p TV.
Alternatively show it connected up to to a HP 2645A.
Marc, what kind of adapter did you use for the serial port connection on the IC tester board?
I jury-rigged surface mount RS-232 connector, which is kind of acrobatic and not recommended. I believe the board was made to use one of these old cables that used to go to RS232 ports from motherboards on PCs.
I ended up doing the same. I could not get my hands on the old PC cable that was intended to use with the 10 pin header connector. He should just design the board to just solder on a female DB9 connector so a USB to serial cable can just connect directly instead of a mess of cables & adapters just to finally connect. Those old PC cables are hard to locate when you live in an area with zero electronic stores. Even the thrift shops no longer have the once piles of PC junk parts.
@@glennbruner7504 Yes I suggested that too.
That's actually a really impressive IC tester!
Now, to build an equivalent for vacuum tubes (since I can't afford a RoeTest)...
I've done pretty well over the years with a SIGNIFICANTLY dumber tube tester... a.k.a. ME
1: If there's cracks in the glass or the mirror-like getter flash looks like powdered sugar, straight into the bin
2: Does the 'pilot light' (filament) turn on - if not, check filament voltage and, if present and correct, throw it out.
3: Does the big black metal thing inside (plate) look like it could fry an egg from 50 feet. If so, disconnect everything from the associated grid(s) and retest. If it's still hot, place gently in file #13 and install another. If it's NOT hotter than Mercury with the grids disconnected, replace all the leaking coupling capacitors
Rinse and repeat
You need to update minipro software. I believe v11 is the latest with extended IC support.
v11 works only with a more recent TL866II Plus.
TL866 also tests RAM chips doesn't it? Useful little box :)
Yes, apart from some NVRAMs it can only test a few, but very common SRAMs - like the 6116 oder the 6164, for example.
It's a really good product, still getting updates (with more chips supported) -- especially considering the price!
Augat sockets?
Is that the first appearance of Ken's white coat?
Does it do 300 baud?
Big-endian and little-endian the conflict never ends.
Thks but I want to ask a provocative question.
Next month I'm getting an arduino & all its sensors to learn all about them. Next I think I try to get a intro FPGA & learn all about it.
Here's the provocative question: ?Does inexpensive FPGAs make decades old big logic ICs a little obsolete?
I ask because I'm clueless & I ask you because you probably know.
I think that is my lost Texas Instrument book! :) JK Although I did used to have that same book from college.
I've not seen the PLCC (and TSOP?) to DIP adaptors before. Obviously useful when the same IC can come in multiple kind of packaging.
Could this also identify the difference between 74LS and 74HC?
Given that there are some of the latter marked as the former in circulation. As indicated in this video. czcams.com/video/Knfv-Qp7Q2U/video.html
The circuit in question works with a 74LS08 (and likely a 74HCT08) but not with a 74HC08.
Interesting! Freaked me out seeing you change chips with power on, though. Do they have tvs diodes or anything in there, or are those chips just more durable than my instincts suggest?
That Tauntek tester looks like the thru-hole pic powered predecessor of the Glasgow Interface Explorer. Wonder if anyone lucky enough to have one (mine is delayed due to ic shortage) has made an applet for ic testing like this.
The Tauntek tester only applies power when you do a test, otherwise everything is electrically isolated
So does the TL866 btw
2:32 you're trying to imitate Dave of Eevblog fame ?
"7424" is not recognized, but the list on Bob's site mentions the "24"
How do you think this compares to the "retro chip tester professional" as tested by Noel a couple of weeks ago?
czcams.com/video/_99HNsxgLRw/video.html
Tauntek Logic IC tester is great for logic chips, when you want to see the specifics of how the logic chip behaves. The retrochip tester does a basic pass fail vector test like the tl866, so less info on logic test. The retrochip tester is great for testing memory ics. I use both regularly.
There is no reason that a gui gives less info than something on the command line, it could give more... But here we are in 21, and for some reason it's still true that you get more from text.
Must have something to do with the programmers (I'm not bias! I write gui predominantly)... It seems gui is consistently ok'ish, but cmdln is either completely garbage or absolute dark magic.
After maybe 25 years I'm still not sure if I'm a fan of that trend or not, but there's a lot to be said about something that works and you get a "Success!" on the cmd rather than a "it worked!" and an OK button.
The Main purposes of the GUI and the Device is not to test Chips, rather to write to eproms. It probably cant eben thest the things that the other can. The other one is dedicated to Chip testing as is built for this.
Hm... Could it be that your "half dead" LS04 is actually a "healthy" S04?
I thought so for a second, then realized that would be waaay too much current for an S too! So it’s really toast.
Bob Grieb's email address on his website bounces as non-existent. Any other way to contact him?
Hmm. Not really, that's the one I use to talk to him.
Maybe you entered a capital i instead of a lowercase l?
Mark.. you like suggesting stuff I gotta run through the wife
Taunteck is more portable with serial interface. Sold!