Scientific Calculator

Scientific calculatorsare more than just a necessity for every engineer. With features that allow you to help solve complicatedtrigonometric exponential and logarithmic equations within a blink of an the eye. scientific calculators are nothing more than a small pocket brain. Find out the features that make this tiny device work.

Fig. 1: Illustration of an Scientific Calculator Most of the scientific calculators, irrespective of the manufacturer, are housed in the form of a hard plastic casing, as illustrated above. The design of the buttons is clean and ergonomic , so that calculators can be used for a long duration without the risk of strain on the wrist, and also guaranteeing the correct stroke every time, regardless of the size of the finger that is pressing the buttons.

PCB

Fig. 2. Circuit Board as well as LCD display of a Scientific Calculator A plastic casing houses the PCB, batteries and screen of LCD on the calculator. A double-sided PCB is utilized in a scientific calculator. One side houses the COB IC as well as the required circuitry, and connections to the LCD and the LCD, the other is the keypad, which houses the tracks that produce signals that correspond to the keys that are pressed. The back side of the PCB is illustrated below.

Fig. 3: Chip on Board Integrated Circuit

Processing Core: COB IC or no COB?

Fig. 4. Integrated Circuit of Scientific Calculator Utilizing a COB IC is an efficient feature because it helps to save a significant amount of hardware and performs all functions of the calculator however, it usually eliminates the ability of it to allow the calculator to be programmable by the user. This is also the distinction between an ordinary, pocket calculator that is used for basic multiplication and addition as well as a more sophisticated scientific calculator that can perform a variety of computation. COB ICs are typically used in calculators that are not programmable, whereas the calculators that can be programmed do have an additional surface mounted or packaged microprocessor based IC that are connected to an external memory flash. Programmable calculators are able to store user-defined data and formulas. The chip won't be evident when used in scientific calculators too as that also appears to be an COB IC due because the chips are covered by an epoxy layer. Some of the most suitable ICs that have been utilized in calculators that can be programmed are the 8502 Microprocessor that has been utilized for HP's 35s Series of scientific calculators and the ARMv4T chips that are used in more robust calculators that offer graph plotting capabilities and support for memory inputs from outside such as memory cards.

Keypad

Fig. 5. Keypad as well as the Circuit Board from Scientific Calculator Shown in the image above is the back part of the plastic keypad as well as the PCB. The patterns are drawn on the PCB's surface, which generate the signal for the key , which is then pressed, and transmit into the COB IC. Keypad functions in the same manner as a keyboards do. The switches made of plastic that are visible on the casing connect to a keypad made of rubber. When the key is pressed the black rubber mark beneath the keypad's rubber touches the PCB , which completes the track to transmit signals.

LCD Display

Fig. 6. LCD Display and characteristics based on the options included in the calculator, LCD displays of the calculator are of different sizes and types. A basic calculator will have an LCD screen that is 16X2 and the ones with advanced features come with an Dot matrix LCD display as well. The most expensive scientific calculators even have a vibrant display.Shown in the above image is a two-line display LCD. The top line is an LCD dot matrix display , while the lower portion is an an LCD display with seven segment numbers. The LCD is connected to the PCB using the help of a heat seal connector. The term "heat seal" refers to an e-connector made from polyester films. The two layers of film are bonded (sealed) to each other at a high temperature by using conductive paste hence the name heat seal.

Batteries

Fig. 7: Combination of Batteries for a Scientific Calculator The type of batteries used is based on the features of the calculator. The more features, or the larger the display on LCD, the more robust the battery must be. Above is an AA pencil cell combo which powers the calculator. Button cells also known as "AAA" batteries are also utilized in a variety of calculators. The average life span of a battery pack is between 1-2 years (though it differs with each type of battery and between calculators and calculators). The addition of a solar panel can increase the battery's lifespan to ensure that the main reason for replacing the calculator isn't the death of the batteries, but rather something other than physical damage due to it being dropped from a certain height. Additionally, calculators operate at a very low power level and don't run out of power quickly. To use the least possible battery power, calculators come with an auto Power Off feature. This feature is controlled through the "Power Control Consumption System" that shuts down the calculator whenever a key is not pressed for a certain time. The typical time for this is between 7 to 9 minutes, and if the calculator is in the middle of a calculation (which is rarely the case) it will save the information for the convenience of the user.The first calculator that was scientific in nature was introduced in the late in the 1960s, by Hewlett Packard and numerous electronic companies followed. At first, they were expensive and had a limited number of features the engineers have crammed ever-growing features within the space they have as the industry of semiconductor production is maturing.


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