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M777: Difference between revisions
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Portables management ([[John Taggart]], [[Rod Bristol]]) were aware of the M377, more so than I realized. | Portables management ([[John Taggart]], [[Rod Bristol]]) were aware of the M377, more so than I realized. | ||
They did need amplifiers for future portable oscilloscopes (the [[:Category:TDS_series_scopes|TDS series]]) because the 2465 parts | They did need amplifiers for future portable oscilloscopes (the [[:Category:TDS_series_scopes|TDS series]]) because the 2465 parts | ||
(preamps designed by [[Jim Woo]]) were far too big and way | (preamps designed by [[Jim Woo]]) were far too big and way too slow for higher speed portable scopes, which would be the only Tektronix offerings in the future. | ||
They liked the M377 because it had DC level shift, bandwidth limit filters, was monolithic and could be put in a small package. | They liked the M377 because it had DC level shift, bandwidth limit filters, was monolithic and could be put in a small package. | ||
Taggart and Bristol were not about to embark on a new IC design when the M377 did everything needed for a portable scope. | Taggart and Bristol were not about to embark on a new IC design when the M377 did everything needed for a portable scope. | ||
Even forgetting about the 2-3 year development time, there was nothing the M377 couldn’t do functionally and | Even forgetting about the 2-3 year development time, there was nothing the M377 couldn’t do functionally and do well. | ||
They hired me to help with implementing the M377 in the [[TDS540]]. | They hired me to help with implementing the M377 in the [[TDS540]]. | ||
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And because of the extra bandwidth, it was also a little noisier. | And because of the extra bandwidth, it was also a little noisier. | ||
The M377 had a long life, still in production after [[Maxim|Maxim Integrated]] bought the Tektronix IC facility (Building 59). | The M377 had a long life, still in production after [[Maxim|Maxim Integrated]] bought the Tektronix IC facility ([[Building 59]]). | ||
Part of the purchase agreement was support for the Tektronix IC processes, including [[SH3]], [[SHPi]] (included p-channel JFETs), | Part of the purchase agreement was support for the Tektronix IC processes, including [[SH3]], [[SHPi]] (that included p-channel JFETs), | ||
and [[CPi]] (included high speed complementary PNPs). I cannot speak with authority about these later years. | and [[CPi]] (included high speed complementary PNPs). I cannot speak with authority about these later years. | ||
There was a chip that included the input IC for the TDS540 series that [[Art Metz]] and I | There was a chip that included the input IC for the TDS540 series that [[Art Metz]] originated and I adapted using the p-channel JFETs. | ||
Eventually, I believe, the two chips were combined into a new IC based on both these designs. | Eventually, I believe, the two chips were combined into a new IC based on both these designs, although I am not sure of this. | ||
However, I believe the M377 and M777 continued in production until Maxim stopped. | However, I believe the M377 and M777 continued in production until Maxim stopped. | ||