T41-3 Part 1: An Early Prototype

Here is a video of the first highly experimental T41-3 prototype:

Frame rate is about 45 per second. No doubt the T41-3 has the highest frame rate of any T41 built to date. This T41-3 prototype is also likely the most computationally efficient and powerful T41 ever constructed.

A problem with the original T41 design is that the display places a significant burden on the single-core CPU of the Teensy 4.1.

T41-3 greatly reduces the CPU cycles required to service the display. This may seem counterintuitive, as the frame rate is greatly increased, which would seem to increase CPU loading. There are solid technical reasons for this to happen. This spare computational power can be used for other functions. This is the primary motivation to develop the T41-3 platform. It is difficult to perform T41 radio experiments if there is insufficient processor power available! The T41-3 (keeping in mind it is an early prototype) appears to fix this problem. Let’s hope that it really does have the great potential that I think it does.

Part 2 will cover the techologies used to elevate the T41-3 to the next level of T41-EP performance.

– 73 Greg KF5N