I've got a little project in mind, but it means replicating the flashing light sequence of a Boeing 777. From what I can tell, and what I want to replicate, the two wing tip nav lights, red and green (Looking at the plane, red is right, green is left) don't flash. However, the beacons on the upper and lower portion of the hull do (Apparently the light rotates much like a light house, but that's a bit above and beyond what I have space for), and then on the rear of the wing tips, there are two flashing white lights. However, the tricky bit comes in that the upper and lower beacons flash at the same time as each other, but between flashes of the wing tip white lights. How the devil do I accomplish this with a reasonably compact circuit? In total I plan to have probably ten LED's in this project, and I also need a reasonable method of powering them. I will be using 3.3v 3mm LED's for six of them, and 3.3v SMD's for the other four (The wing tips). Any advice?
I studied engineering at university for a bit, Im sure there some engineering students on this forum that can suggest a circult based on a 555 timer. I unfortunately cannot remember enough of it to advise!
It would help a lot if you could draw the secuence or the signal each led should receive on a time axis. Choose real values for the timing. It's not the same 0.1s than 1s or 10s. How do you plan to power the circuit? Where are you going to place it? If you want a proper circuit, give us more information... =P
I just did exactly this for electronics (well not exactly, but a very very very complex torch design that I got full marks for), but I'd still suggest at looking into an Arduino, as you can do massively powerful things with them...
If i undestood right what he wants, an arduino is a terrible overkill. I'd like him to say exactly what he wants. Only then we can help him. I wouldn't recommend a microcontroller for a couple of leds unless he needs more flexibility or a very complex pattern. If it's just a couple of leds flashing alternately, a single 555 will do, no need for more. Just give me the details and i will draw a schematic...
I think its two LEDS flash on for maybe 1/3 sec or so and then off for maybe 1 sec, then the other two flash, then back to the first two.
The actual times aren't important, so whether the beacons are on for a second and the white wing lights are on for a second isn't a problem - So long as they aren't on together. So if the two red beacon lights are on, the two white wing lights are off. The red and green NAV lights don't need to flash at all, and purely need to be constantly on. There are four other LED's that need to be constantly on, too. So, Beacons on white off, white on beacons off would need to be the sequence, with the other six (Four at the front, Nav red/green) being permanently on.
555 and a NAND will do you. Make the 555 flash and the NAND invert it. Then put one of the sets (using a transistor) on the output from the 555 and the others on the output from the inverter (NAND with both inputs joined). If I wasn't stuck with work I'd do you a curcuit diagram now. If noones done one later I may get bored and do one Just thought the pattern was more complex, so an arduino would work for that
Ok see what people think of this And the frequency is determined by 1.44 / (R1 + R2)C If memory serves me right. See if anyone spots an issue.
That looks right Although I'm sure pin 5 should go to ground through a cap. P.S. what software did you use to draw that? As I have a massively elaborate torch curcuit to make for my report but all the software I've used so far is a pain to use...
ah yes pin 5, dont know if you can suggest a cap value for the OP. Ive been using Livewire, its great for diagrams, and whats more you can test your circuits virtually. Student version £50ish but well worth it.
