Current sequence

[knarfS]

There should be a way to set a current sequence via serial command and perhaps via menu. The command could look something like this:

sequence N current1 time1 ... currentN timeN repeat

Where

• N: Number of sequence items
• currentN: the current item no N in mA
• timeN: the time item no N in ms. This is the duration the current no N will be active.
• repeat: The number of cycles for the sequence. E.g. 1 means run sequence just once, 2 means run sequence twice, 0 (or -1?) means run sequence infinite

Further ideas for the sequence function:

• Sequence steps are alternatively not time controlled, but trigger controlled (rising and/or falling edge). Trigger input will be the blue jack.
• Trigger out (blue jack) when jumping to the next sequence item.

[Arachnid]

I'm quite conscious of the limited amount of flash available for new features. Is there a compelling reason this should be built-in rather than controlled from the PC end?

[knarfS]

Hi Nick,

the only two reasons I can think of:

1. To make it independent from a PC (not very important, I think).
2. If the POSC4 have a RTC: To make the time steps more accurate.

But if you are running out of flash memory, the limited space should be used for more important things. When PC controlled the accuracy should be no big deal, but the trigger functions should imo be firmware controlled to make it independent and fast. I will think about the trigger functions and will open a new entry, when I have an idea :)

[Arachnid]

Yes, trigger functions are a reasonable idea. Others have suggested supporting VI curves, too, though that introduces potential issues with feedback loops!

[knarfS]

Are the VI curves a reference to issue #68? Otherwise I don't get the point :)

[Arachnid]

The point was to emulate devices like LEDs, whose current consumption rises with voltage.