1st stage loader for IMSAI - need ascii to binary conversion

[Tony Duell]

> 
> On 26 Feb 2008 at 19:57, Tony Duell wrote:
> 
> > Argh!. I grew up learning to design solutions to problems, rather than 
> > throw microcontrollers at them in the hope they'd go away.
> 
> Aw, Tony, a little 8 pin PIC or an ATiny can do this with no 
> additional active packages.  The algorithm can be tweaked with no 
> component changes.

No _new_ components, but you still have to reprogram the microcontroller 
(which may involve pulling it from the board..). Personally, I'd rather 
change some R's and C's


> 
> Yes, it might be fun doing it with NE567s or somesuch, but then, 
> someone even more conservative would castigate you for not using 
> tuned LC filters and discretes for the active part.  A couple of 
> 6SN7s and some powdered-iron core inductors should do the trick...

I have an _old_ modem where the reciver has an input filter consisting of 
a metal can with 8 or so tuned pot cores and capacitors in it. The output 
of that is mixed with a local oscillator, the 'sum' frreqeuncy is taken 
and fed to a discrimiator circuit. All discrete transsitors, of course...



> 
> I really like the little microcontrollers--they're cheap and they do 
> the job.  I'm not averse to using them when they're the best 
> solution.

So do I. The operative part being 'when they're the bast solution'. I 
don't feel they are in this case.

-tony