Question about switching system - Zarlink ICs?

[RaceDriver205]

OK heres the situation. I have box full of effects, and I am (at some stage) going to be having them all wired together.
My first idea was use one 4066 based switch per effect (about 60ish effects). However, there seem to be special switching ICs around like the Zarlink 8x16 switching array.
Is it likely that there is an IC of this kind that would make for a more compact switching system?

Thanks all!

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Well, it will replace a dozen or so 4066s, and probably better switch quality too, but on the other hand there is all the programming to do for the PIC or whatever you are going to  be addressing it with (or the dozens of logic chips). I don't see the actual switching part as being the major part of the project, it's the logic that would be the kiler (for me, anyway!).

[R.G.]

My first idea was use one 4066 based switch per effect (about 60ish effects).

Use the CD4053 instead. You're going to be using at least two and probably three sections of a 4066 per effect. A 4053 gives you three SPDTs in one chip, independent controls. It's more compact. See my crossbar switch design in ASMOP at GEO.

However, there seem to be special switching ICs around like the Zarlink 8x16 switching array.

Yep. These seem to be around since about last summer. There are older switch arrays intended primarily for video switching that work too. But they were too expensive.

Is it likely that there is an IC of this kind that would make for a more compact switching system?

Yes. But the thing that will drive the physical size is the jacks, not the switching chips. In many ways, having a lot of lesser-integrated chips that are cheap to replace might be an advantage to an experimenter. Having exactly 1.000 mega-chips in some object makes that object much harder to repair or modify.

The Zarling chips work fine. I had no trouble lashing one up. Just watch the datasheet and they work fine. Wiring up that many jacks nearly killed me.

I don't see the actual switching part as being the major part of the project, it's the logic that would be the kiler

It isn't now. In fact, it wasn't even back when I did the no-switching-chip, no-programming version of the first programmable controller. It was done with rotary switches and relays.

But do take a look at microcontrollers, Paul. I keep thumping the tub about them because in many ways, once you have a chip which has assignable I/O, onboard timers, commo controllers, and A-D converters and you program it in C or Basic, you can literally do whatever you want. The same chip can be a top-octave generator, a stopwatch timer, an hour meter, a special purpose voltmeter, or a switching matrix controller (although not at the same time!)

It becomes A Simple Matter Of Programming - which is just not that hard. The B in BASIC stands for "beginner's".

[TELEFUNKON]

Racer, have you ever visited these links in the DSP forum?
crossbar
pedal matrix

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

But do take a look at microcontrollers, Paul. I keep thumping the tub about them because in many ways, once you have a chip which has assignable I/O, onboard timers, commo controllers, and A-D converters and you program it in C or Basic, you can literally do whatever you want. The same chip can be a top-octave generator, a stopwatch timer, an hour meter, a special purpose voltmeter, or a switching matrix controller (although not at the same time!)
It becomes A Simple Matter Of Programming - which is just not that hard. The B in BASIC stands for "beginner's".

You're preaching to the converted here RG, I actually manufacture FX boxes that use PICs! But I don't program them myself, I can assure you...... horses for courses.
Interestingly, the PICs seem better specced from an analog aspect, while the Atmel stuff has the edge digitally. Most USA stuff seems to use PICs, Europe likes Atmel..

[RaceDriver205]

But the thing that will drive the physical size is the jacks, not the switching chips.

Don't worry, I don't intend to use much more than 2 jacks!
All the effects boards will be going in the same box with the switching gear (no pedals).

The switching digital stuff I can do. I just want the most efficient analog switching stuff in order to make it easier. The problem with having individual switches means you need a large bank of shift-registers or the like to connect them all up to the controller.