Frequency! It’s an important thing to measure, which is why [Jacques Pelletier] built a frequency counter some time ago. The four-function unit is humble, capable, and also an entry into our 2025 One Hertz Challenge!
The build began “a long while ago when electronic parts were still available in local stores,” notes Jacques, dating the project somewhat. The manner of construction, too, is thoroughly old-school. The project case and the sweet red digits are both classic, but so is what’s inside. The counter is based around 4553 BCD counter chips and 4511 decoder ICs. Laced together, the logic both counts frequency in binary-coded decimal and then converts that into the right set of signals to drive the 7-segment displays. Sample time is either 1 Hz or 0.1 Hz, which is derived from an 8MHz oscillator. It can act as a frequency meter, period meter, chronometer, or a basic counter. The whole build is all raw logic chips, there are no microprocessors or microcontrollers involved.
It just goes to show, you can build plenty of useful things without relying on code and RAM and all that nonsense. You just need some CMOS chips and a bucket of smarts to get the job done!
Hats off to Jacques for this. This is the kind of stuff I read Hackaday for. Yeah, he could have used a microcontroller or something, but he went old school on us and created something pretty cool from straight digital logic.
It shows a level of inventiveness that you often don’t see anymore. Sure it’s just digital logic, but it shows that you don’t need an MCU for everything. What a way to use up old parts in the junk drawer too. I need a counter. I think I might have a serious look at building one of these. I have a large junk box.