AIN_4 module
- Schematic
- BOM v1.2
- Versions
- Assembly

AIN_4 module

This is a simple way of scaling CVs (as might come from a modular) ready for an STM32F4 Core module.

Schematic

The circuit is a very simple series of two inverting amplifiers per channel. The first is a TL072 powered from +12/-12V, while the second is an MCP6002 powered from 3v3/0V (ground). It's possible to preset the ranges (see below) but it's probably more useful to use the associated Control Board.

For bipolar operation, a +5V reference may be switched in. The output of the first stage is interrupted by a pot in order to attenuate the signal. The second stage has switchable gain from -1 to -0.5 by way of a resistor. Hence one can easily select between 0-5V, 0-10V and +/- 5V input ranges to optimise the signal amplitude reaching the ADC. Because the second op amp is powered at the same voltage as the MCU (ideally the same rail), its inputs are protected from over- and under-voltages.

Note the gain calculation, and beware the top of the signal may clip (harmlessly) if around 3.0V peak is exceeded on the second op amp stage.

BOM v1.2

Type	Qty	Value	Package	Parts	Notes
resistors
	20	49k9 1% or better	0204/7	R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R22, R23, R24	49k9/30k resistors aren't so common. For almost equivalent behaviour, one could substitute e.g. 56k/33k. It's best to match pairs/threes or go for 0.1% tolerance parts
	4	30k 1%	0204/7	R3, R9, R15, R21	nominal gain can be adjusted e.g. (22k/49.9k)*5V = 2.2V
capacitors
	4	10p	025×050	C1, C3, C5, C7
	9	100n	025×050	C10, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C20	remove 1 if powering from Core
	3	10u	electrolytic 2,5-6	C9, C11, C19	remove 1 if powering from Core
	4	optional	025×050	C2, C4, C6, C8	can use another e.g. 10pF cap here for more filtering
inductors
	2	BEAD	5MM	L1, L2	or replace with wire link
ICs
	2	MCP6002P	DIL08	IC2, IC4	sockets are recommended
	2	TL072P	DIL08	IC1, IC3	sockets are recommended
Vreg
	1	optional	TO-220	VR1	remove if powering from Core
headers
	7		1X02_SMALL	JP1, JP2, JP3, JP4, JP5, JP6, JP7	check board for headers as SIL strips of 3, 5 or 6
	8		1X03_SMALL	JP8, JP9, JP10, JP11, JP12, JP13, JP14, JP15
	2		2*5 (shrouded)	J1, J2

Versions

v1.2: first release.

Assembly

Putting the board together is simple. As usual, start with the flattest components and work your way up.

Resistors

four 30k resistors marked in pink
remainder are 49k9
for best results, match R1/R2, R7/R8 (and so on), and R4/R5/R6, R10/R11/R12 (and so on).
the value is less important than the minimum deviation.

Capacitors

four 10p as marked in pink
electrolytics in yellow
blue are optional (i.e. probably unnecessary)
remainder are 100n.

Power

J2 is a standard Eurorack header
red = -12V
blue = +12V
green = 0V(ground)
for Core power, bridge the solder jumper marked in yellow
otherwise install the Vreg circuit in pink
IMPORTANT only choose one of these 3v3 power options! Don't install the regulator if the solder jumper is bridged.

Headers

For connection to a Control Board, use pin headers placed on the opposite side as the rest of the components i.e. follow the silkscreen markings. It's convenient to use an unsoldered Control Board to align all of the pins at once.

For standalone use, you probably want header pins (or sockets, or even bare wires if you wish) on the same side as the remaining circuitry.

Standalone use

For simplest results, use the complementary Control Board. Otherwise see below for header functions (viewed from the component side).

Five pin header

IN = CV input
for scaling bipolar CVs, connect or switch into OFFSET (e.g. +5V; n.b. the offset should be referenced to the common 0V)
for 0-5V operation, leave SWITCH open; for 0-10V operation, jumper or switch in COMMON to POLE

Three pin header

with a 100k pot facing you, solder the left leg to 0V(ground)
with the pot turned anticlockwise, the TL072 output is shorted to ground. While shorts are permitted in the datasheet, it's advisable to connect a small value resistor (e.g. 10-100R) between the left leg and ground.
centre to WIPER
right to LEG
WIPER and LEG may be jumpered if pots aren't desired, but it is quite useful to have an attenuator to trim down variable CVs or even clip the second op amp for crunchy waveforms!

Interconnection to Core

J1 carries the scaled CV to J5A or J5B of an STM32F4 Core module.

Table of Contents