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Prototype is as Prototype does...

A project log for WITCH-E Decimal Based Computer

Document and create a modern replica of the Harwell Dekatron computer known as the WITCH

daves-dev-labDave's Dev Lab 09/16/2017 at 00:251 Comment

In the normal business model of creating electronics and products in general, prototyping plays a really strong role in "getting it right". One thing that I've really taken advantage of during the development process for the WITCH-E project is doing smaller compartmentalized prototypes. These "smaller and simpler" prototypes can be very valuable in moving forward with a complex design. What I mean by this is instead of starting off with the idea that this particular section would be designed and prototyped specifically to fit into the project, I designed it to be as simple as possible, simple to debug, simple to assemble, and simple to modify. The prototype pictured above contains several very basic pieces of the WITCH-E in smaller form. This includes a simple 5 bit input block, a 5 bit latch,  a 5 bit decoder, a 3x2 dekatron matrix, and a 555 based pulse generator. This simple little prototype setup allowed me to test and debug these sections without having the dependency of the entire system being integrated and working. Also due to the very nature of the prototype, I was able to do white-wire fixes, solder test leads on components, and generally 'hack' the modules without concerns of damaging the full system. Moral of the story here is  "Prototype is as Prototype does!", which means when a design gets complicated, some times the best method is to get simple...

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Dr. Cockroach wrote 09/16/2017 at 00:34 point

A very good way to work on it. That method works for me as well :-)

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