TheAnalogThing - User contributions [en]

Master

2025-02-13T22:41:48Z

Jwdietrich: Fixing typo.

In '''master mode''' a [[The Analog Thing]] computer can control another computer in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for complex tasks or simulations. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to [[Minion|MINION]] mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Pinout of the Master interface ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Pin
! Name
|-
| 1
| GND
|-
| 2
| GND
|-
| 3
| GND
|-
| 4
| Potset
|-
| 5
| Enable
|-
| 6
| ModeIC
|-
| 7
| NC
|-
| 8
| ModeOP
|-
| 9
| Vcc
|-
| 10
| Vcc
|}

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Minion

2025-01-15T07:43:55Z

Jwdietrich: Adding pinout

The '''Minion mode''' allows the connection of two or more [[The Analog Thing]]s together in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more computing
elements than a single device provides. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's [[Master|MASTER]]. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to MINION mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Theory and Terminology ==
THATs in a minion chain form a ''singly linked list''. This way of connecting THATs is also referred to
as ''daisy chaining'' or as creating a ''minion chain''. The concept of a single controller (MASTER) with one or more
controlled entities (MINIONS) was conventionally referred to as a ''master/slave model''. As this choice of terms has fallen out of favor, the term ''MINION'' is used. For further
reading, see for instance [https://www.vice.com/en/article/8x7akv/masterslave-terminology-was-removed-from-python-programming-language] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master/slave_(technology)#Terminology_concerns].

== Pinout of the Minion interface ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Pin
! Name
|-
| 1
| GND
|-
| 2
| GND
|-
| 3
| MINION
|-
| 4
| Potset
|-
| 5
| Enable
|-
| 6
| ModeIC
|-
| 7
| NC
|-
| 8
| ModeOP
|-
| 9
| SWOFF
|-
| 10
| SWOFF
|}

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Master

2025-01-15T07:41:42Z

Jwdietrich: /* Pinout */ Clarification

In '''master mode''' a [[The Analog Thing]] computer can control another computer in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for complex tasks or simulations. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to [[Minion|MINION]] mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Pinout of the Master interface ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Pin
! Name
|-
| 1
| GND
|-
| 2
| GND
|-
| 3
| GND
|-
| 4
| Potset
|-
| 5
| Enable
|-
| 6
| ModeIC
|-
| 7
| NC
|-
| 8
| ModeOP
|-
| 9
| Vcc
|-
| 10
| Vcc
|}

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Master

2025-01-15T07:41:16Z

Jwdietrich: Adding pinout

In '''master mode''' a [[The Analog Thing]] computer can control another computer in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for complex tasks or simulations. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to [[Minion|MINION]] mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Pinout ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Pin
! Name
|-
| 1
| GND
|-
| 2
| GND
|-
| 3
| GND
|-
| 4
| Potset
|-
| 5
| Enable
|-
| 6
| ModeIC
|-
| 7
| NC
|-
| 8
| ModeOP
|-
| 9
| Vcc
|-
| 10
| Vcc
|}

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Analog Voltmeters or Ammeters

2025-01-09T09:22:31Z

Jwdietrich: Adding photo of two analog voltmeters

[[File:Voltmeters.png|thumb|right|Two analog voltmeters connected to a THAT computer]]
Static or slow changing signals can be displayed with '''analog voltmeters''' or '''ammeters''' (with a suitable resistor in series).
A +-1mA meter has the advantage that the output can directly be interpreted as machine units.

Note that [[The Analog Thing]] ships with a digital [[Panel Meter|Voltmeter]].

== Products ==
* You can basically use any ''Multimeter'', see for instance https://www.reichelt.de/multimeter-c541.html?CCOUNTRY=445&LANGUAGE=de. Cheap but suitable ones begin at around 20EUR.
* Here is an analog device for tinkering purposes. The +-1mA instrument has 148 Ohms, so that a 9852 Ohms resistor is required in series (which can be realized by 10 kOhm parallel with 680 kOhm): Aliexpress item 4000377192769

File:Voltmeters.png

2025-01-09T09:20:59Z

Jwdietrich: Two voltmeters connected to a THAT computer

== Summary ==
Two voltmeters connected to a THAT computer
== Licensing ==
{{CC-by-sa-4.0}}

Panel Meter

2025-01-09T09:00:54Z

Jwdietrich: /* Monitoring Values */ clarification

[[File:Voltmeter.png|thumb|Illustration of the display, showing the value <code>0.314</code>]]

The '''panel meter''' is the LCD display unit located in the lower right on the upper PCB.

== Usage ==
Depending on the position of the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob, the '''panel meter''' is used to monitor either values or OP-TIMEs (operation times):

=== Monitoring Values ===
With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>COEFF</code>, <code>MINION</code>, <code>IC</code>, <code>OP</code> or <code>HALT</code> positions, the panel meter displays values numerically in the unit range -1 to 1.

* With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>COEFF</code> position, the panel meter displays the output value of the <code>COEFF</code> potentiometer selected using the <code>COEFFICIENT SELECTOR</code>. This allows setting the values of coefficient potentiometers exactly to their desired values.
* With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>MINION</code>, <code>IC</code>, <code>OP</code> or <code>HALT</code> positions, the panel meter displays the value patched into the <code>U</code> socket in the <code>OUTPUT JACKS</code> section. This allows monitoring the values of arbitrary positions on the patch panel.

=== Monitoring OP-TIMEs ===
With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>REP</code> or <code>REPF</code> positions, the panel meter displays the current <code>OP TIME</code>, which can be changed by turning the <code>OP-TIME POTENTIOMETER</code>.

* With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>REP</code> position (i.e., in repeat mode), the <code>OP TIME</code> is shown in the 0 to 10 second range.
* With the <code>MODE SELECTOR</code> knob in the <code>REPF</code> position (i.e., in repeat fast mode), the <code>OP TIME</code> is shown in the 0 to 100 millisecond range.

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Master

2025-01-09T08:58:35Z

Jwdietrich: Creating page

In '''master mode''' a [[The Analog Thing]] computer can control another computer in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for complex tasks or simulations. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to [[Minion|MINION]] mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]

Minion

2025-01-09T08:57:47Z

Jwdietrich: Link to Master added.

The '''Minion mode''' allows the connection of two or more [[The Analog Thing]]s together in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more computing
elements than a single device provides. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's [[Master|MASTER]]. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to MINION mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

== Theory and Terminology ==
THATs in a minion chain form a ''singly linked list''. This way of connecting THATs is also referred to
as ''daisy chaining'' or as creating a ''minion chain''. The concept of a single controller (MASTER) with one or more
controlled entities (MINIONS) was conventionally referred to as a ''master/slave model''. As this choice of terms has fallen out of favor, the term ''MINION'' is used. For further
reading, see for instance [https://www.vice.com/en/article/8x7akv/masterslave-terminology-was-removed-from-python-programming-language] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master/slave_(technology)#Terminology_concerns].

== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==

<gallery>
File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
</gallery>

[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]