SWHarden.com

The personal website of Scott W Harden

USB Frequency Counter

August 3, 2019
circuit

I built a frequency counter with a USB interface based around a 74LV8154 32-bit counter, FTDI FT230XS (USB serial adapter), and an ATMega328 microcontroller. I’ve used this same counter IC in some old projects (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) this time I decided to I design the circuit a little more carefully, make a PCB, and use all surface-mount technology (SMT).

The micro USB port provides power and PC connectivity, and when running the device sends frequency to the computer every second. All the parameters can be customized in software, and source code is on the USB-Counter GitHub page.

I also added support for a 7-segment LED display. The counter works fine without the screen attached, but using the screen lets this device serve as a frequency counter without requiring a computer. This display is a MAX7219-driven display module which currently runs for $2 each on Amazon when ordered in packs of 5.

Precision Frequency Measurement

One advantage of this counter is that it is never reset. Since this circuit uses 32-bit counter IC, and every gate cycle transmits the current count to the computer over USB. Because every input cycle is measured high precision measurements of frequency over long periods of time are possible. For example, 1000 repeated measurements with a 1Hz gate allows frequency measurement to a precision of 0.01 Hz.

Internal or External Gating

An optional external 1PPS gate can be used for precise timing. The microcontroller is capable of generating gate cycles in software. Precision is limited to that of the TCXO used to clock the microcontroller (2.5 PPM). For higher-precision gating a resistor may be lifted and an external gate applied (e.g., 1PPS GPS signal).

TCXO Driving a Gate in Software

By clocking the microcontroller at 14.7456 MHz with a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) I’m able to communicate with the PC easily at 115200 baud, and with some clever timer settings and interrupts I’m able to toggle an output pin every 14,745,600 cycles to produce a fairly accurate 1PPS signal.

Maximum Counting Frequency

According to the SN74LV8154 datasheet the minimum expected maximum input frequency (fMAX) is 40 MHz. To count higher frequencies, a high-speed prescaler could be added to the input to divide-down the input signal to a frequency this counter can range. This was discussed in the original issue that kicked-off this project, and Onno Hoekstra (PA2OHH) recommended the SAB6456 divide-by-64/divide-by-256 prescaler which supports up to 1 GHz input frequency. However, present availability seems to be limited. A similar chip, or even a pair of octal flip-flops that work in the GHZ range could achieve this functionality.

Design

By populating one of two input paths with components this device can serve as a sensitive frequency counter (with a small-signal amplifier front-end) or a pulse counter (with a simple 50 ohm load at the front-end).

Optional RF Amplifier Front-End

An optional amplifier front-end has been added to turn weak input into strong square waves suitable for driving the TTL counter IC. It is designed for continuously running input, and will likely self-oscillate if it is not actively driven.

⚠️ WARNING: There is an error in this schematic. The protection diodes should be the other way around.

This simulation shows a small 1 MHz signal fed into a high impedance front-end being amplified to easily satisfy TTL levels. The 1k resistor (R3) could be swapped-out for a 50 Ohm resistor for a more traditional input impedance if desired. LTSpice source files are in the GitHub repository in case you want to refine the simulation.

Components

PCB

Changes from rev 1.0

Build Notes

Resources

  Feedback   Source   Contact