- Joined
- May 27, 2016
- Messages
- 3,479
@WobblyHand I have a Pi4 being my mailserver (3 years now) and another on the network, handy to mess with when I want to wiggle SDi and suchlike. It has the overkill IceTower silent fan on a bonkers set of fins.
My son has invoked two Raspberry Pi 5(s) to control a industrial grade 2-Canon photogrammetry image capture. For a tiny little computer, they are awesome! One would have been enough, but the Cannon (relatively crappy) software would only allow a single access at a time to the software library it uses. Given the bunch of other threads they were also running, it was easier to "just get another P5", instead of writing a work-around. Then, by serendipity, the extra Pi helps also share the fast networking load. The Pis only have to work the user touch screen interface, take the pictures, and shift the images into the main computing kit via network, but I was surprised at just how many situations one has to program for. Gestures? Did he touch screen in two places? etc.
I do now also have the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, the intended little computer for the XRF, but Teesy, and others can also do it. In theory, even a micro-controller like Pico can do the A/D, but I wanted to put all the processing right up to getting the plots, on the main PCB, just so the display to external screens becomes very flexible, and without needing a bunch of software for many platforms. Anything that has a browser, or can access a USB or WiFi would do.
A 79c part sounds good, but for me, I usually use Mouser, where I need to rack up £30 worth of parts to get the free shipping. I think it be much the same situation from Digi-Key. When next I get (probably another ADC to replace a fried one), I will include some crystal oscillators. Now that I have tried the "hot air from the top trick", maybe a BGA mounting is not so scary. I always think the little things will blow away. I have not yet invested in the "modified temperature controlled oven".
Getting some of the stuff from Mouser mentioned by @homebrewed may be on, but I think 3 x 3mm significantly reduces the captured photons. A CsI(TI) scintillator crystal for $30 bucks, with a large area photodiode may be a better idea. Not needing the high voltages, and having a photodiode that need only be sensitive to to visible light? Maybe a re-purposed cheapo webcam imager? Would the scintillator I already have work with a Si photodiode in place of the high voltage tube? Perhaps, but we should stay with available stuff as Mark suggested.
I don't know - maybe I am grasping at straws when it comes to alternative sensors, but I will try anything that has a chance provided you folk have given it a think-through and pointed out the flaws. Whatever we use, the light is faint. We will always need a load of low noise gain.
My son has invoked two Raspberry Pi 5(s) to control a industrial grade 2-Canon photogrammetry image capture. For a tiny little computer, they are awesome! One would have been enough, but the Cannon (relatively crappy) software would only allow a single access at a time to the software library it uses. Given the bunch of other threads they were also running, it was easier to "just get another P5", instead of writing a work-around. Then, by serendipity, the extra Pi helps also share the fast networking load. The Pis only have to work the user touch screen interface, take the pictures, and shift the images into the main computing kit via network, but I was surprised at just how many situations one has to program for. Gestures? Did he touch screen in two places? etc.
I do now also have the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, the intended little computer for the XRF, but Teesy, and others can also do it. In theory, even a micro-controller like Pico can do the A/D, but I wanted to put all the processing right up to getting the plots, on the main PCB, just so the display to external screens becomes very flexible, and without needing a bunch of software for many platforms. Anything that has a browser, or can access a USB or WiFi would do.
A 79c part sounds good, but for me, I usually use Mouser, where I need to rack up £30 worth of parts to get the free shipping. I think it be much the same situation from Digi-Key. When next I get (probably another ADC to replace a fried one), I will include some crystal oscillators. Now that I have tried the "hot air from the top trick", maybe a BGA mounting is not so scary. I always think the little things will blow away. I have not yet invested in the "modified temperature controlled oven".
Getting some of the stuff from Mouser mentioned by @homebrewed may be on, but I think 3 x 3mm significantly reduces the captured photons. A CsI(TI) scintillator crystal for $30 bucks, with a large area photodiode may be a better idea. Not needing the high voltages, and having a photodiode that need only be sensitive to to visible light? Maybe a re-purposed cheapo webcam imager? Would the scintillator I already have work with a Si photodiode in place of the high voltage tube? Perhaps, but we should stay with available stuff as Mark suggested.
I don't know - maybe I am grasping at straws when it comes to alternative sensors, but I will try anything that has a chance provided you folk have given it a think-through and pointed out the flaws. Whatever we use, the light is faint. We will always need a load of low noise gain.