Difference between pages "File:Tinysa LOGMAG S11 2021-10-12 12-29-43.png" and "WA3TFS SDR Upverter Design"

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[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1874-720px.jpg]]
  
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== Features ==
 +
 +
SDR up-converter/receiver shifts HF (0-30 MHz) frequencies up by 100 MHz. Used to listen to HF frequencies on an inexpensive RTL-SDR module.
 +
 +
* $55
 +
** Purchased at [https://www.facebook.com/w3pie W3PIE] hamfest
 +
** [https://044640f.netsolhost.com/ Can be ordered as PCB, Kit, or assembled]
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* [https://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/SBL-1+.pdf SBL-1 Level 7 mixer]
 +
* 100 MHz can oscillator
 +
* Low pass filter
 +
** 35 MHz
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* [https://044640f.netsolhost.com/ 1 kHz to 1.7 GHz SDR Receiver] - WA3TFS Design
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** [https://rest.edit.site/filestorage-api-service/23f1203e3bd4a6128459f208dcf16362/forkiin-sdr-qst-article.pdf?dl=1 QST Article]
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** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/73eecae7c71adfad0f97a69e16be7203/sdr-wiring-diagram(3).pdf?dl=1 SDR wiring diagram]
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** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/e5b0fbd1d917fc766cf2197693d69209/bill-of-material-sdr-rev-1-3.pdf?dl=1 Parts List]
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** [https://static-cdn.edit.site/users-files/21f2eeabc8074f4bc64a7b350b8b52e1/pcb_r11.jpg?dl=1 Layout]
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=== Schematic ===
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Schematic.PNG]]
 +
 +
=== Pass Filter ===
 +
 +
* 9 turns on FT37-2 = 0.3 uH
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Inductor.PNG]]
 +
 +
* LTSpice Simulation
 +
** 1-100 MHz
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Pass_Filter.PNG]]
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* LTSpice Simulation
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** 1MHz-1GHz
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Pass_Filter_1MHz-to-1GHz.PNG]]
 +
 +
== Software ==
 +
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* [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/ RTL-SDR]
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* [http://hdsdr.de/ HDSDR] - Easier to use
 +
* [https://airspy.com/download/ SDR Sharp] - Crashier
 +
 +
== Build ==
 +
 +
* Nice silver mica caps for the band pass filter
 +
** My kit was missing the center cap of the band pass filter (150 pF)
 +
** I used a junk box ceramic disc cap
 +
* 30pF cap installed in J_A to J_B marked 300
 +
* Build was too tough due to very small pads on the PCB
 +
** Particularly tough to solder ground pads
 +
** Pad shapes were not round so less area to set soldering iron
 +
* Is LO drive more than 7 dBm?
 +
* Pin 1 orientations on the mixer and oscillator "backwards" from other board legends
 +
** Pin 1 shown in red circle
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_pcb_r11.jpg]]
 +
 +
=== RTL-SDR ===
 +
 +
* [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/ RTL-SDR DONGLES (RTL2832U)] - rtl-sdr.com site
 +
* <1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO)
 +
** Accurate tuning and almost zero temperature drift (2 PPM max. initial offset, 0.5-1 PPM temperature drift)
 +
** SMA female antenna port
 +
** Generic dongles use the less common MCX or PAL antenna ports
 +
** SMA is more common, so more adapters and antennas are available for it
 +
** It is also more durable and has lower RF insertion losses
 +
* 4.5V USB powered bias tee
 +
** This allows the RTL-SDR to power low noise amplifiers (like the LNA4ALL, HABAMP, RTL-SDR Blog ADS-B LNA) and active antennas through the coax cable
 +
** Can be enabled in software (see V3 users guide).
 +
* Aluminium case and passive cooling
 +
** These units come stock with an aluminum case and passive cooling via a silicon thermal pad
 +
** This stops reception failing due to heat when used above ~1.2 GHz
 +
* Improved Antennas
 +
** We provide an excellent dipole antenna starter kit for newbies
 +
** Use the included mounts and extension cable to mount the dipole in good position for optimal reception
 +
** Receives terrestrial and VHF satellite signals
 +
* Various additional improvements compared to other RTL-SDRs
 +
** R820T2 tuner, higher quality passive components, a choke on the USB line to reduce USB noise, a much improved PCB design for significantly less internal spurs and noise, various break-out pads, improved ESD protection, additional bypass capacitors and ferrite power line chokes, improved front end matching circuit, a modified power design for improved long term reliability, and a better LDO.
 +
 +
[[file:RTL-SDR_improvements_v3new800x800.jpg]]
 +
 +
==== HF Direct Sampling Mode ====
 +
 +
* RTL-SDR V3 can listen to 500 kHz - 24 MHz with direct sampling
 +
* Simply connect an HF antenna to the SMA port, and choose the Q-branch mode
 +
* There is a built in 25 MHz low pass filter, but additional HF filters may be required for optimal performance (e.g. to attenuate strong MW AM).
 +
 +
<video type="youtube">I6Kh9A1Nd_s</video>
 +
 +
=== Wiring ===
 +
 +
* SPDT switch
 +
** One switch pole powers the card (turns off 12V)
 +
** Other switch pole switched in/out the Upverter
 +
** Could just move the cable
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_Wiring.PNG]]
 +
 +
== Enclosure ==
 +
 +
* Board fits perfectly in
 +
** [https://www.adafruit.com/product/2230 Extruded Aluminum Enclosure Box - 94mm x 83mm x 30mm]
 +
** Card just perfectly matches
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1878-720px.jpg]]
 +
 +
[[file:WA3TFS_Upverter_P1880-720px.jpg]]
 +
 +
== Videos by others ==
 +
 +
<video type="youtube">I6Kh9A1Nd_s</video>
 +
 +
<video type="youtube">XeQnDpzhcRo</video>

Revision as of 16:29, 14 October 2021

WA3TFS Upverter P1874-720px.jpg

Features

SDR up-converter/receiver shifts HF (0-30 MHz) frequencies up by 100 MHz. Used to listen to HF frequencies on an inexpensive RTL-SDR module.

Schematic

WA3TFS Upverter Schematic.PNG

Pass Filter

  • 9 turns on FT37-2 = 0.3 uH

WA3TFS Upverter Inductor.PNG

  • LTSpice Simulation
    • 1-100 MHz

WA3TFS Upverter Pass Filter.PNG

  • LTSpice Simulation
    • 1MHz-1GHz

WA3TFS Upverter Pass Filter 1MHz-to-1GHz.PNG

Software

Build

  • Nice silver mica caps for the band pass filter
    • My kit was missing the center cap of the band pass filter (150 pF)
    • I used a junk box ceramic disc cap
  • 30pF cap installed in J_A to J_B marked 300
  • Build was too tough due to very small pads on the PCB
    • Particularly tough to solder ground pads
    • Pad shapes were not round so less area to set soldering iron
  • Is LO drive more than 7 dBm?
  • Pin 1 orientations on the mixer and oscillator "backwards" from other board legends
    • Pin 1 shown in red circle

WA3TFS Upverter pcb r11.jpg

RTL-SDR

  • RTL-SDR DONGLES (RTL2832U) - rtl-sdr.com site
  • <1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO)
    • Accurate tuning and almost zero temperature drift (2 PPM max. initial offset, 0.5-1 PPM temperature drift)
    • SMA female antenna port
    • Generic dongles use the less common MCX or PAL antenna ports
    • SMA is more common, so more adapters and antennas are available for it
    • It is also more durable and has lower RF insertion losses
  • 4.5V USB powered bias tee
    • This allows the RTL-SDR to power low noise amplifiers (like the LNA4ALL, HABAMP, RTL-SDR Blog ADS-B LNA) and active antennas through the coax cable
    • Can be enabled in software (see V3 users guide).
  • Aluminium case and passive cooling
    • These units come stock with an aluminum case and passive cooling via a silicon thermal pad
    • This stops reception failing due to heat when used above ~1.2 GHz
  • Improved Antennas
    • We provide an excellent dipole antenna starter kit for newbies
    • Use the included mounts and extension cable to mount the dipole in good position for optimal reception
    • Receives terrestrial and VHF satellite signals
  • Various additional improvements compared to other RTL-SDRs
    • R820T2 tuner, higher quality passive components, a choke on the USB line to reduce USB noise, a much improved PCB design for significantly less internal spurs and noise, various break-out pads, improved ESD protection, additional bypass capacitors and ferrite power line chokes, improved front end matching circuit, a modified power design for improved long term reliability, and a better LDO.

RTL-SDR improvements v3new800x800.jpg

HF Direct Sampling Mode

  • RTL-SDR V3 can listen to 500 kHz - 24 MHz with direct sampling
  • Simply connect an HF antenna to the SMA port, and choose the Q-branch mode
  • There is a built in 25 MHz low pass filter, but additional HF filters may be required for optimal performance (e.g. to attenuate strong MW AM).

Wiring

  • SPDT switch
    • One switch pole powers the card (turns off 12V)
    • Other switch pole switched in/out the Upverter
    • Could just move the cable

WA3TFS Upverter Wiring.PNG

Enclosure

WA3TFS Upverter P1878-720px.jpg

WA3TFS Upverter P1880-720px.jpg

Videos by others

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