Difference between revisions of "Minion"

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[[File:Торта Мињон, Minion cake.jpg|thumb|Minion refers to characters of the movie ''Despicable Me'']]
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The '''Minion mode''' allows the connection of two or more [[The Analog Thing]]s together in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
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bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more computing
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elements than a single device provides. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
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together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
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the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
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connected to the second one, and so on.
  
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'''Minion''' is a non-discreminating alternative term used for '''Slave'''. If you have multiple [[The Analog Thing]]s, you can [[Daisy-Chain]] them by connecting a <code>MASTER OUT</code> to a <code>MINION IN</code>.
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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
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COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
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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.
  
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The Minion mode allows the connection of two or more ANALOG THING together to realize a
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== Theory and Terminology ==
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bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more calculator
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THATs in a minion chain form a ''singly linked list''. This way of connecting THATs is also referred to
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elements than a single device provides. There is no limitation of the number of devices working
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as ''daisy chaining'' or as creating a ''minion chain''. The concept of a single controller (MASTER) with one or more
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together. The connection is made with a small flat cable from the jack named MASTER OUT to
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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
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the next device and it's jack MINION IN. If more than two ANALOG THING needed, the next is
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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].
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connected to the second and so on.
 
  
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The most left controls all connected devices which must be switched into MINION mode except
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== Pinout of the Minion interface ==
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the first (most left). Speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from this master. In
 
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COEFFICIENT mode the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
 
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while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the first (MASTER). All other
 
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devices have to stay in MINION mode. Elements of each ANALOG THING can be connected
 
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together with patch cables over different devices in the same way you would do for the single
 
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device.
 
  
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! Pin
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! Name
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|-
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| 1
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| GND
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|-
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| 2
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| GND
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|-
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| 3
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| MINION
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|-
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| 4
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| Potset
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|-
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| 5
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| Enable
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|-
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| 6
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| ModeIC
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|-
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| 7
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| NC
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|-
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| 8
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| ModeOP
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|-
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| 9
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| SWOFF
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|-
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| 10
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| SWOFF
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|}
  
 
== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==
 
== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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   File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two Analog Things in Master-Slave mode
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   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:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
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  File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]
 
[[Category:Components of The Analog Thing]]
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[[Category:Connectors]]
 

Latest revision as of 09:43, 15 January 2025

The Minion mode allows the connection of two or more The Analog Things 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 MASTER to the next device's MINION IN 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 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 [1] or [2].

Pinout of the Minion interface

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

  • Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain

  • The same setup including a single Oscilloscope

  • closeup

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