Steal this circuit, please!

[Grant Richter]

Admittedly the "Archival Electronics" idea is purely academic.
However is would be interesting compare notes on
how to design electronics to last as long as possible.

The theoretical MTBF of solid state circuits is long
enough that I don't think electronics itself has been
around long enough to reach it.

I'd also point out that if any electronic device were
to remain in service for several hundred years, it would
most likely be a musical instrument, since musical
instruments obsolescence cycles are much longer
than any other type of item (consider the flute).

It is possible that electronic "Early Music" ensembles
will form in the future, similar to current Chamber Consorts
using authentic instruments. It's amusing to speculate
on the pieces that would be selected.

----------
> From: John E Blacet <blacet at metro.net>
> To: Grant Richter <grichter at execpc.com>
> Cc: synth DIY (P) <synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl>
> Subject: Re: Steal this circuit, please!
> Date: Thursday, January 20, 2000 7:04 AM
> 
> Digi-Key PN F2000; Littlefuse 60R010 for less than 100 mA.
> 
> As for the"20 year life span" of electrolytics, I'm hopeful that todays
> caps are better made than those of the past. A common rating is 2000
> hours at 105 C which is of course damn hot and not a likely synth
> working condition. 
> 
> I do have experience with a switching power supply in a VCR that went
> belly up after about 8 years of regular use. The caps actually got quite
> hot in use. IMHO, the power supply was on the edge of being adequate for
> the task, as it always ran very hot (thanks, Sony). After replacing the
> caps, the VCR is back in operation. Power supply caps really are the
> ones that take the abuse and are the most likely to fail.
> 
> The film cap route is pretty impractical for 10 to 100 uF caps. There is
> plenty of gear out there with 20+ year old electrolytics, still working
> fine. 
> 
> Of course the whole area of archivial electronics is one that deserves
> some attention in this "throw it away and buy a new one" economy. I
> build stuff to last as long as possible given the constraints of
> economics and board space and perhaps most importantly, the MTBF factor
> of having many components required to work together properly.
> The ease of repair of components that are likely to fail first is also a
> design concern.
> 
> Regards.
> -------------------------
> John Blacet
> Blacet Research Music Electronics
> http://www.blacet.com
> -------------------------
> blacet at metro.net