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Kilpatrick Format
Technical Specifications
Kilpatrick Format
Technical Specifications
A Specification and Guide for Module Designers
Copyright 2014: Kilpatrick Audio / Andrew Kilpatrick
Written by: Andrew Kilpatrick
07/02/2014
Page 1 of 29
web: www.kilpatrickaudio.com – email: info@kilpatrickaudio.com
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Summary of Contents for Kilpatrick Audio Format
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Page 1: Technical Specifications
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications A Specification and Guide for Module Designers Copyright 2014: Kilpatrick Audio / Andrew Kilpatrick Written by: Andrew Kilpatrick 07/02/2014 Page 1 of 29 web: www.kilpatrickaudio.com – email: info@kilpatrickaudio.com... -
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Table of Contents Introduction..............................4 A Few Words of Welcome........................5 Use of the Kilpatrick Format Specification....................6 Naming Requirements...........................6 Keep Kilpatrick Audio Informed......................6 Errors, Omissions and Suggestions.......................6 Physical Specifications..........................7 Module Stack-up Overview........................7 Panel Material............................8 Panel Retaining Screw...........................9 Module Power Plugs...........................10 Module Stack-up Details........................11... - Page 3 Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Split Supply Using an Opamp......................26 Going Between AGND and DGND....................27 Appendix A – Part Reference........................28 Appendix B – Module Reference Drawings....................29 Appendix C – Enclosure and Power Supply Drawings................29 07/02/2014 Page 3 of 29 web: www.kilpatrickaudio.com – email: info@kilpatrickaudio.com...
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Page 4: Introduction
Technical Specifications Introduction The Kilpatrick Format is a unique and flexible modular synthesizer format with many useful features. The format can be applied to modular synthesizers, audio equipment, lighting and video system, and any system where low-power modules, straight-forward module design, high quality construction and easy module installation and removal is desirable. -
Page 5: A Few Words Of Welcome
The enclosure and power supply design are low-cost and reliable. I hope that you are inspired to make your own modules in the Kilpatrick Format and I look forward to seeing and hearing what you come up with! -
Page 6: Use Of The Kilpatrick Format Specification
Keep Kilpatrick Audio Informed Use of the Kilpatrick Format is free of charge, but you must tell us if you release a module so that we can keep track of products available in the format. We will also offer a module swap service so that builders can put together nice systems at low cost. -
Page 7: Physical Specifications
Technical Specifications Physical Specifications The Kilpatrick Format is built around panels which are one or more spaces wide. A space is set as 1/4 of a rack width, and 4U (7”) tall. Four spaces occupy one rack-mountable enclosure. Wider enclosures are possible, with 5 or 6 spaces being the most useful. -
Page 8: Panel Material
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications The spacings are chosen to allow the use of common components such as banana jacks, toggle switches, board to board stacking headers, etc. Some components like pushbuttons and some kinds of jacks may require additional PCBs or different spacings, but for most modules the suggested spacing should offer the most flexibility. -
Page 9: Panel Retaining Screw
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Panel Retaining Screw Below each module space in an enclosure is a blind M3x0.5 standoff used to secure a module to the enclosure. Each module must contain a captive M3x0.5 x 25mm hex head cap bolt that uses a 2.5mm hex key. -
Page 10: Module Power Plugs
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Module Power Plugs The main parts that secure a module into an enclosure are the power plugs. The plugs are male banana plugs of the same type used for panel patching. These are available as metal plugs supplied with #6-32 bolts which screw into the back of the plug. -
Page 11: Module Stack-Up Details
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Module Stack-up Details The module stack-up is integral to the physical robustness and overall height of a module. The module assembly is designed to use standard components and be easy to assemble. The spacing between the panel and PCBs is a compromise, but must be kept within a tight tolerance to avoid height problems when plugging the module into an enclosure. -
Page 12: Panel Dimensions And Thickness
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Panel Dimensions and Thickness The panels are nominally 14GA aluminum 0.062” (1/16”) thick. A brushing / anodizing operation usually removes a small amount of material. The overall dimensions of a single-space panel is 4.240” wide and 6.990” tall. Each of four corners is rounded off with a 0.125” (1/8”) radius. Detailed drawings can be found in Appendix B of this document. -
Page 13: Top Pcb To Bottom Pcb Spacing
Connecting signals between the top and bottom PCBs is possible by using standard 0.100” stacking header connectors. Kilpatrick Audio uses 20 pin single-row connectors on all designs. The possible location of the headers is chosen per design. Alternately a dual-row header could be used for denser modules. -
Page 14: Enclosures
Enclosures are designed to be low-cost and easy to manufacture in small quantities. The existing Kilpatrick Audio enclosure and power supply design is offered for use free-of-charge and drawings are available in Appendix C of this document. These included drawings are for reference only. For the latest drawings including DXF or IGES files of the enclosure for metal manufacturers please contact Kilpatrick Audio or see our website for download info. -
Page 15: Module Mounting Plate
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Module Mounting Plate The main part of the enclosure serves only to cover the sides of the modules and provide mounting points to attach rack ears or stacking brackets for connecting two enclosures together. The important interface between the modules and the enclosure is through the module mounting plate. -
Page 16: Power Supply
A 24W unit is supplied by Kilpatrick Audio and is suitable for up to eight modules. The typical wiring in a system should handle +15V at 40-60W (3-4A) without any trouble. The input protection diode for the system is rated for up to 7.5A, and designers who wish to build their own power supplies should keep in mind... -
Page 17: Active / Passive Enclosure Interconnect
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Active / Passive Enclosure Interconnect The enclosure is designed with front/rear and bottom cutouts to allow flexibility in wiring the DC power and inter-enclosure power cables. Normally two enclosures are used together. The top one contains the power supply and is called the active enclosure whereas the bottom enclosure is passive and contains wiring only. -
Page 18: Power Wiring And Power Supplies
CV and audio signal paths. The Kilpatrick Format system uses separate analog and digital grounds (AGND and DGND) to solve this problem. Analog grounds are used for signal returns, references for analog circuits, ADCs and DACs, and other low-noise circuits. -
Page 19: System Power Grounding
Particularly on the -15V side, many DC-DC converters have a maximum capacitance they can handle on the load. Kilpatrick Audio uses 100uF for the +15V supply on each module and 10uF for the -15V on each module. These capacitors are installed after the input protection diodes. As the input is already smooth DC this has proven more than adequate. -
Page 20: Audio And Control Signals
Technical Specifications Audio and Control Signals Audio and control signals are interchangeable on a Kilpatrick Format system. There are two types of signals and four types of jacks. The jack colours used on modules must follow the same standard. Additional colours can be used for jacks which serve a different purpose such as interfacing other kinds of non-audio or CV signals. -
Page 21: Gates And Pulses
Although the display and user interface choice is up to the designer, several LED colour standards have been adopted by Kilpatrick Audio to help differentiate various signal types. It is not mandatory to use the same colours but it might help to make a module seem more familiar along side other modules. -
Page 22: Module Design Techniques
Good module design techniques and “best practice” rules will help to ensure maximum compatibility between modules from different manufacturers. Some tips and tricks are shown here which might be useful. Some are just good engineering practice and others were devised for the Kilpatrick Format and seem to work well. -
Page 23: Pulse Input Circuit
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Pulse Input Circuit Fig 11 - Pulse Input Circuit Notes about the example: input resistors set the input impedance at approx. 40K and also shift the threshold voltage to just • over 1V for a typical small signal transistor diode prevents negative base voltage •... -
Page 24: To +5V Pulse Amplifier
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications +3.3V to +5V Pulse Amplifier Fig 12 - +3.3V to +5V Pulse Amplifier Notes about the example: input and output are in phase • different configurations can be chosen for different gain and offsets • a simple unity gain buffer can be used for +5V signals •... -
Page 25: Bi-Colour Led Driver
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Bi-colour LED Driver For a bi-colour LED driver it is easy to use an op-amp to drive an LED. Usually a separate amplifier is used for the LED because the load changes depending on whether the LED is in conduction or not. -
Page 26: Split Supply Using An Opamp
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Split Supply Using an Opamp Fig 14: Split Supply Op-amp Circuit Notes about the example: for making low current split references • useful for powering 4000 series CMOS muxes which require <20V • voltage is easily adjusted with a resistor divider •... -
Page 27: Going Between Agnd And Dgnd
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Going Between AGND and DGND When going between AGND and DGND references it is important to avoid a condition where the two supplies are at very different voltages. To protect against this condition in case of a missing power connection, modules which use both AGND and DGND include a pair of back-to-back 1N4001 silicon diodes between grounds. -
Page 28: Appendix A - Part Reference
Kilpatrick Format Technical Specifications Appendix A – Part Reference Type Manufacturer Manufacturer Part Notes pot – single gang Alps RK09D1130A1N most standard pots pot – stereo audio Alps RK12L12C0A0G stereo volume pots 3mm amber LED Lite-On LTL1CHKYKNN signal levels 3mm red LED... -
Page 29: Appendix B - Module Reference Drawings
The following documents are available regarding enclosures and power supplies. These are free to use as long as they are not made or sold as Kilpatrick Audio branded products. Note: These files come with no warranty and should be used as reference only. It is up to the user to verify accuracy before any design or manufacturing.
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