> I'm re-working a couple of old circuits for new uses as diagnostic
> tools. One is an audio frequency oscillator based on the ICL8038
> and the other is a similar one based on the MAX038. What I want
> to do is make the best combination of the two units. In short, I'd like
> the frequency generator that Harrods would sell you.
> .
> The ICL8038 has a range of 0.001Hz to 300kHz and the MAX038
> from 0.1Hz to >20MHz (spec says, blurb says 40MHz). I'm looking
> for any ideas about features that haven't occured to me that people
> have found useful. It's more than likely that there will be a handful of
> PICs and/or SXs to cope with the real-time demands
>
> http://ee.wustl.edu/~info/docs/icl8038data.pdf
> http://ee.wustl.edu/~info/docs/icl8038info.pdf
> http://www.maxim-ic.com.cn/Max038-157/MAX038.PDF
>
> So far,
>
> Time bases (eg 50Hz sine for testing mains applications)
> ExtOsc drivers for micros
> Tone bursting (digital FM)
> One-shots
> Pots / PIC / external  control of o/p voltages, wave and sweeping
> External / internal / conditional triggers
>
> Each oscillator will have an LCD (or part thereof) showing duty cycle,
> frequency, mode, voltage etc, all measured by a PIC, and a display
> for inter-connections (patchboard and/or switches) between the two
>
> As for measuring the high-end frequency of the MAX038, I'm guessing
> that this couldn't be done directly to several significant digits by the

> either by CCP or other methods and that the frequency would have to
> be divided down externally. True ?
>
> Anyway, any/all suggestions welcomed, TIA
>
> =====================================================
>
> Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to
> build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying
> to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.
>