{"id":293,"date":"2015-07-30T16:02:30","date_gmt":"2015-07-30T14:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.wordpress.com\/?page_id=293"},"modified":"2024-12-04T15:34:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T14:34:52","slug":"kth-sdr","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/?page_id=293","title":{"rendered":"KTH-SDR"},"content":{"rendered":"

80m – 70 cm SDReceiver\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/u><\/p>\n

\"Front<\/a><\/p>\n

Linear Technology<\/a>
\nSilicon Labs<\/a>
\nWB6DHW<\/a>
\nMicrochip<\/a>
\nCoilcraft<\/a>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Downloads:\u00a0 All necessary software<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any questions about this project, please contact me at:\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

Note for users still using the KTH-SDR:
\n<\/strong>After many years I switched on the KTH-SDR again and immediately encountered some problems. Below is what and how I solved it:
\n– The Rx would not start properly. Fortunately, this could be solved by reloading the latest firmware via the bootloader.
\n– After that, communication with the Si570 did not work. Loading the required USB driver no longer worked according to the manual, but could be solved by installing the libusb0 – win32<\/strong> driver with Zadig. The SDR could then be calibrated again with the control software.
\n– If you are using the SDR for WSJT-X then you have to install (via Zadig) the WinUSB<\/strong> driver. The HamLib files are working only with this driver.<\/p>\n

Features of the SDR receiver<\/b><\/u><\/p>\n

\n

–\u00a0 Module based (easy for experimenting)
\n–\u00a0 8 HF bands (3.0-4.2 \/ 4.2-6.0 \/ 6.0-8.4 \/ 8.4-12 \/ 12-17 \/ 17-24 \/ 24-32 \/ 50-52 MHz or 50-72 MHz)
\n–\u00a0 Weather satellite and\/or 2 m band (136-148 MHz)
\n–\u00a0 70 cm band (430-440 MHz)
\n–\u00a0 Si570 Tunable VFO
\n–\u00a0 Build-in attenuator 0, -10, -20 and -30 dB
\n–\u00a0 LCDisplay
\n–\u00a0 USB Tuning Control by most of the SDR-software or manual by tuning knob
\n–\u00a0 Selectable tuning-step sizes, predefined amateur band frequencies
\n–\u00a0 40 memory locations available<\/p>\n

Note:<\/u> In these documents (pdf) (Nieuwsbrief 128<\/a> and Nieuwsbrief 131<\/a>) you can read the articles about this SDR receiver project, published in the Benelux QRP Club Nieuwsbrief. These articles includes photo’s and schematics, but they are written in Dutch! <\/i><\/p>\n

How it all started…..<\/b><\/u>
\n<\/i>In the spring of 2008, Joris (KTH rf-Design), asked me to join an SDR project with him. He found a commercial chip from Linear Technology (LT5517) which is a quadrature demodulator specified for\u00a0 40 – 800 MHz. The challenge was to get this chip working below 40 MHz.<\/p>\n

Joris designed a prototype PCB for the LT5517 and the LT6231 Op-amp. We intend to use the Si570 from Silicon Labs as LO, a very popular oscillator chip at this moment. This chip is very easy to control by I2C and has magnificent specifications and also a wide frequency range, depending of the type (CMOS: 180 MHz, LVDS: 270 or 1100 MHz).<\/p>\n

One of the advantages of the LT5517 is that it needs a LO frequency of twice the receiving HF frequency. For this reason the Si570 should be a perfect solution.<\/p>\n

First the I\/Q module<\/b><\/u>
\nWe started building and testing the I\/Q module, because we where very curious about the performance of the LT5517. For the VFO I first used my HF generator (PSM-5) and later the Si570 kit from WB6DHW controlled by a PIC 18F2550 which also has USB connectivity. PowerSDR was used to demodulate the I and Q signals from the board.<\/p>\n

During our first tests we experience that with sufficient LO power (> 5 dBm), the LT5517 was able to demodulate signals below 3 MHz!\u00a0 That was very hopeful, but how should the conversion gain react on that LO power and also on those low frequencies…..?
\nI did a test with PowerSDR and measured a steady conversion gain over the range 3 – 40 MHz.\u00a0 In one word magnificent!! Joris was also very enthusiastic about the results. His LT5517 was even better, he reached 1,8 MHz as lowest possible receiving frequency.<\/p>\n

Below a picture of the prototype LT5517 board. Under the special tool (a kind of spring clamp) you can see the LT5517, fit on its place for soldering. On the left the LT6231 low-noise op-amp.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The I\/Q LT5517 module<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

The synthesizer \/ PIC module<\/b><\/u>
\nBecause of this success, Joris continued and design the next PCB: the synthesizer module, containing a PIC 18F2550, the Si570 and a MAV-11 amplifier.
\nAt the same time he designed a ‘motherboard’ to mount the modules on. This was very functional because it allowed us to test the modules together.<\/p>\n

I started programming the desired software for the 18F2550. This software was written in C and compiled with the free Microchip software MPLAB and MCC18 (student version). Because it’s user friendly, I made use of the Microchip boot loader construction. You don’t need a PIC-programmer to update the firmware in the 18F2550.
\nThe synthesizer module should be able to support an LCD module, a rotary encoder and a keypad. Also control by USB should be possible.<\/p>\n

Here you see the test bench with both, the I\/Q- and Synthesizer module. On the right is the encoder and LCD.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"On<\/a>

On the left the I\/Q module, next to it the Synthesizer module<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Motherboard<\/a>

Motherboard with synthesizer- and I\/Q module<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HF band filter module<\/b><\/u>
\nNext step in the design was a HF module. The goal for this module was to accommodate 8 half-octave filters! From 80-meters to the 6-meter band. Because we want to built good performing filters, we need SMD coils with a Q of 50 or more. On the internet we found the Coilcraft company, a very good and friendly company with high quality coils. After testing some samples, we ordered the Coilcraft C337 designer kits which\u00a0 included all the coils needed for the HF-module.<\/p>\n

An imported design objective was switching the filters by pin-diodes. It took us a while to optimize the diode set-up. The switching voltage was delivered by a CBT3125 and controlled by the PCF8574 I2C I\/O port.
\nOnce the PCB was ready, we start putting the SMD parts on the board. Especially mounting the pin-diodes was a very precise job. Joris called those tiny parts ‘delouses’!<\/p>\n

I started with the first filter (3.0-4.2 MHz). After the components where in place, I connected the filter board to my PSM-5 and swept the filter. Very nice result! The theoretical values of the capacitors are even as good as in practice. This was also a merit of the Coilcraft coils.
\nA couple of days soldering and testing resulted in the HF module as seen below.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The HF-module with pin-diode control<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

\n

In general, the filters had a very good frequency response and with some small adjustments the attenuation of all the filters where equal within 1 or 2 dB. On the picture below you see the sweep of one filter with a ripple of about 0,1 dB.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Filter<\/a>

Filter response<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Meanwhile Joris has finished the motherboard, where the modules could placed on in connectors.
\nNext picture shows the board with some modules in place.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Attenuator board<\/b><\/u>
\nNext step was the design of the attenuator board. This board is not placed on the motherboard but is mounted to the rear panel of the aluminum enclosure (from Conrad). We have chosen for using relays in stead of pin-diodes because of the strong antenna signals in the lower HF bands. I found the (SHF-)relays on e-bay for a very reasonable price. The relays are I2C controlled with a PCF8574 8-bits I\/O. Attenuation of -10, -20 and -30 dB are possible. See the picture below for details.<\/p>\n

\"Attenuator<\/a>

Attenuator board<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

\n

LCD and control board<\/b><\/u>
\nLast but not leased, the LCD and pushbutton board. On this board the LCD module, also I2C controlled by a PCF8574 and 5 pushbuttons for:
\n–\u00a0 Band select (for choosing 1 of 11 pre-defined amateur bands, from 80 meters to 70 centimeters)
\n–\u00a0 Step-size (possible step-sizes are: 10Hz, 100Hz, 10KHz, 20KHz, 100KHz, 1MHz and 10 MHz)
\n–\u00a0 Tune-lock, prevents tuning with the tuning knob
\n–\u00a0 Attenuator, selection of -10, -20 and -30 dB attenuation
\n–\u00a0 Memory select and store. There are 40 memory locations available to store a frequency.<\/p>\n

The LCD board is mounted to the front panel of the enclosure.<\/p>\n

\"LCD<\/a>

LCD (and all other) modules<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

\n

On this picture you can see all modules and boards, from rear to front:
\n–\u00a0 attenuator board
\n–\u00a0 HF module
\n–\u00a0 I\/Q module
\n–\u00a0 Synthesizer \/ PIC module
\n–\u00a0 LCD board with pushbuttons.<\/p>\n

Information on the LCD consists of:
\n–\u00a0 on line 1, the selected frequency (resolution of 1 Hz)
\n–\u00a0 on line 2, the step-size, attenuation and active module or memory location..<\/p>\n

VHF\/UHF module<\/b><\/u>
\nThis module is equipped with a 136 MHz (Weather satellites) to 148 MHz (2 meter) band filter and a 430-440 MHz (70cm) band filter. The filters are switched by relays.<\/p>\n

\"VHF<\/a>

VHF \/ UHF module<\/p><\/div>\n

Enclosure<\/b><\/u>
\nAt the end I build all the modules and motherboard in an enclosure. We also add a foil for both panels, which gives the SDR a professional look! Below you see the result.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Front<\/a>

Front side<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Back<\/a>

Back side<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Inside\"<\/a>

Inside<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

PC Control software<\/u>
\n<\/b>For controlling the module by PC or laptop, I developed a PC program in Visual Basic. With this program it’s also possible to calibrate the Si570. Below you can see a screenshot.<\/p>\n

\"SDR<\/a>

SDR Control software<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Copyright notice: The KTH-SDR project design on this page is Copyright 2010-2016 by KTH rf-Design. All rights reserved.
\n\u00a9 <\/span>Website Copyright 2010-2024 by PA\u00d8RWE<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

80m – 70 cm SDReceiver\u00a0\u00a0 Linear Technology Silicon Labs WB6DHW Microchip Coilcraft Downloads:\u00a0 All necessary software If you have any questions about this project, please contact me at:\u00a0 Note for users still using the KTH-SDR: After many years I switched on the KTH-SDR again and immediately encountered some problems. Below is what and how I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-293","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=293"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2094,"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/293\/revisions\/2094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pa0rwe.nl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}