V4 Board Design

Status: active Domain: physics Source: → projects/Prime_Maxel-v4/kicad/

What We Know

• Architecture: Teensy 4.1 MCU, AD9833 DDS (precision frequency generation), TCA9548A I2C mux, 6× prime resonator sub-sheets (SLG47004V GreenPAK + OPA356 bandpass filter each), torsion summing amps, measurement section
• Main schematic: Prime_Maxel_v4.kicad_sch (~14500 lines)
• Sub-sheet: prime_cell.kicad_sch (~3900 lines) — 6 instances: Cell_REF, Cell_2, Cell_3, Cell_5, Cell_7, Cell_11
• Guide: SCHEMATIC_GUIDE.md — block-by-block build order, MFB bandpass topology, per-cell resistor values
• Key improvements over v3: DDS for arbitrary precision frequencies (not just Timer1 divisions), dedicated measurement section, proper I2C routing (caught critical bug in v4.0 → fixed in v4.1)
• SMA connectors: Amphenol 132291 for proper RF connections
• J-Patch: 2×20 jumper pin headers for flexibility
• Fab status: Order Y3-12286283A shipped from JLCPCB (est. Jun 1, 2026)
• ERC: Down to 7 errors + 279 warnings (Gerber-ready)
• Experiment priorities: 1) Noise resilience 2) Information capacity 3) Effective rank 4) Phase coupling (needs bodywire to spare ADC pins)

What We Don’t Know

• Q-V4-01: Will DDS precision reveal fine structure in resonance that v3’s Timer1 approach missed?
• Q-V4-02: Does the OPA356 bandpass filter topology affect resonance quality vs v3’s LM324?
• Q-V4-03: Can v4 measure phase directly (experiment priority #4)?

Relationships

• [[v3-experimental-proof]] — nature: extends — v4 addresses v3’s limitations
• [[prime-resonance-computing]] — nature: depends-on — v4 quantifies what v3 validated
• [[four-factor-theory]] — nature: extends — v4’s DDS can sweep all four factors independently
• [[tusk-resonant-set]] — nature: extends — v4 can test optimal sets with fine-grained frequency control
• [[holographic-phase]] — nature: depends-on — v4 has spare ADC pins for phase measurement
• [[zeta-zeros-physical]] — nature: extends — DDS can generate exact irrational-ratio frequencies

Bridging Potential

• v4 is the NEXT experimental bridge — it will quantify everything v3 discovered qualitatively
• If combined with [[holographic-phase]], v4 could resolve whether phase is Factor 5

Key Evidence

• Schematic: projects/Prime_Maxel-v4/kicad/Prime_Maxel_v4.kicad_sch
• Guide: projects/Prime_Maxel-v4/kicad/SCHEMATIC_GUIDE.md
• JLCPCB order: Y3-12286283A