I forgot to put this in my other post, but I think that the traditional discrete solution is the Voltage-reference (or LDO) into Current reference circuit. Basically you can turn any LDO or plain old voltage regulator into a current reference by setting their feedback in a different manner.

That doesn't work for me here because I do have a 1V minimum voltage requirement. But most people probably are working closer to 3V or 5V.

You can mirror a current generated by a LDO over somewhere else though. The current mirror methodology is truly quite flexible.

Yeah, OpAmps are easier for sure.

I'd expect this design to be used "seriously" only with discrete components. Its slightly cheaper to use a dual-transistor + 3 resistors (BCM847B) than an Voltage Reference (probably a diode) + OpAmp + BJT + resistor...

Even then, the OpAmp circuit probably has lower quiescent current, probably has better output stability. A simple diode-as-voltage-reference doesn't seem especially good though: the Peaking Current Mirror will have lower PSRR than diode-as-voltage-reference (because Peaking Current Mirror has a mild amount of negative feedback).

cool writeup. i'd like to add that at the board level discretes aren't really used unless you're shooting for certain performance characteristics (like low noise) or application or doing it for funsies. the op amp current source you showed remains king -- so king that it's even used at the chip level, where it would make most economical sense to just use two to four transistors, to provide a stable master current reference.

Heh, fer-rule

I’m not an electrical engineer but that should work fine!

Wow, thanks for that.

I can see why it would be so strong. Plus it makes a joint that's not terribly bulky. Add some heat shrink and you're done.

Line man's splice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-ymw7d_nYo

A name brand Wago would go a long way. They're quality connectors as long as the environment is appropriate

stranded. I was thinking of just putting the ends together in a ferrule

Heat shrink is my go-to for permanent work. If it's really important, melt some solder on it, then heat shrink it.

As long as you’re not wiring up a bridge you should be fine

Stranded or solid wire?

I think the word you are looking for in English is "Design", not "Conception". A "Conception Engineer" sounds like you are helping someone make babies. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

My personal experience is largely from before AI ate everyone's jobs, so may be outdated. But my quick reaction is that an IC designer in the right area might make more than an RF designer, but IC work is highly specialized while RF design principles are applicable much more broadly.

Also, to me, "Design" corresponds to the high-level concepts. Someone still has to translate that design into a physical structure. "Layout" is still a thing that humans do, heavily aided by tools (and probably AI by now) but a human still has to oversee it all. You probably go to school to learn all the same basic Engineering concepts, but then go in a different direction post-University. I know several people who make a good living as independant PCB and RF Layout consultants, after spending several years doing the job for large electronics companies.

I'm trying to learn electrical circuit design and programming and want/need an oscilloscope for obvious reasons (I already have most of the basic stuff such as a soldering station and a multimeter). I know I want to work with various ICs, FPGAs, and of course stuff like USB to plug stuff. Though budget isn't that extravagant, I should have decent wiggle room (I suppose totals of below or around 700$ is fairly manageable at the moment).

Does it have built-in USB decoding? If not then it’s not very practical tbh, but it could do low speed and full speed, with manual decoding. Not high speed.

OpenVizsla can do high speed: https://shop.sysmocom.de/USB-Tracing/

What are you after though? A scope is more fun. :)

Been doing some digging now knowing about logic analyzers and I found that RIGOL has some oscilloscopes with digital channels that are within my budget range (needs the RPL1116 probe to function). Though they're bandwidth is 100MHz for the one's I could find that are under 500-1,000$. Would this be enough at least for USB 2.0?

Depends on how low level you need. If you're just looking at the data being sent, then Wireshark will work fine; I've even used it to help reverse engineer a UPS. If you're investigating interference/timing/collisions/whatever then you'd need a scope or logic analyser.

Deleted - Replied to wrong comment.

I have the same scope, but it doesn’t have USB decode. I watched the video and he’s initially doing the decoding very manually. Fun, but not something you’re going to want to do when someone’s paying for your time.

He later switches to a Keysight DSO-X 4024A. It costs a fair bit more. :)

Checked the video again. He used a Keysight DSOX1204G Digital Storage Oscilloscope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdgULBpRoXk

Wireshark can do USB protocol analysis?????

Was it a logic analyzer instead, like https://www.saleae.com/logic?

FYI you can also just use wireshark

The one Ben Eater was using was a Keysight 200MHz, I think with 2GS/s sampling.

You would be looking for a scope with a logic analyzer function.

That sounds like an expensive oscilloscope.

I use an OpenVizsla.

Flux, you have a great point there. That you do paint with.