SDR-Kits.net
page updated August 28th, 2008
USB-Controlled Synthesizer for Softrock RXTX and Local Oscillator Applications
August 28th Updates:
· Updated Kit and Device availability:
I have now shipped most of the backlog of kits ordered. Pricing has been changed and includes (Airmail) Postage to make ordering easier. Orders over £50) will be shipped via “Signed for International Delivery” included in the price.
Kit 1: CMOS Kit – Out of Stock - Expected shipment during week commencing September 8th when I receive further supplies of Si570CAC000141DG chip.
Kit 2 LVDS Kit - Very limited availability in stock. Awaiting delivery of Si570 LVDS chips
Kit 3 USB-Synthesizer Kit without Si570 Chip: (If you already have a Si570 device) In Stock, ship next day
Si570CAC000141DG CMOS Chip – Out of Stock – New Stock expected after September 8th
Si570BBC000141DG
LVDS Chip – Out of Stock – New Stock expected after
September 25th
· Standalone USB_Synthesizer Operation - Last Frequency Remember Feature – and Documentation corrections available here: USB Synthesizer Kit Update 1
·
Please
Note: Kit
1: Si570 CMOS is designed for easy interface with Softrock RXTX as
output is CMOS compatible with 74HC74 chips.
Kit 2: Si570 LVDS is
designed for other Synthesizer projects. Output is 0.7V pkpk
Developed by QRP2000-Design team: Tom – DG8SAQ, John - G8BTR, Alan - M0PUB, Guido - PE1NNZ, Steve - G0XAR & Jan - G0BBL
Fig 1: Top view of USB Synthesizer PCB
This project uses the Silicon
Labs Chip SI570, an "ANY-RATE I2C PROGRAMMABLE XO",
which is a 7x5mm² 8 pin integrated frequency synthesizer,
that
can generate almost any frequency between 3.5MHz and up to 160 MHz
minimum up to 1400MHz max. The chip is programmable via an I2C
Interface.
The ATMEL AVR uses Objective
Development's freeware USB solution for connecting the
synthesizer to the PC USB-Interface via USB port.
Main Applications
· Kit 1: CMOS Version Full Band or Multi Band coverage of Softrock RXTX V6.1 and V6.2 transceivers
· Standalone Operation (without PC connection) with Last Frequency Remember supported (Modification required)
· External Local Oscillator for other SDR hardware Projects – using PowerSDR application
· Wide range test oscillator – output frequency programmable in steps < 1 Hz.
Basic Specification:
· Frequency Range 3.5 MHz to 1400 MHz (10MHz to 160 Mhz guaranteed by SiLab
· Stability +/- 50 ppm CMOS or +/- 20 ppm LVDS version
· Output: Square wave : CMOS version 2.6V pk-pk 15pF , LVDS version 0.7V pk-pk into 100 Ohm
· Power Supply: USB Powered or +5V to +12V Power Supply – approx 100mA
· PCB size 41 x 48 mm
· Suitable for constructors with some previous experience of kit building experience like Softrock Projects
Fig 2 : Component Placing – U2 Si570 is mounted at the other side of the PCB
Kits & Parts Orders -
Complete Kits will contain a quality double sided PCB, a programmed Atmel ATTiny45 micro-controller and other parts including the SiLabs Si570CAC000141DG CMOS device or the Si570BBC000141DG will be supplied as ordered.
On popular demand USB-Synthesizer Kits (without Si570 devices) will also be available as well as Si570 devices.
Due to very high demand for the kits there will be delays in shipping kits during September 2008. Apologies for this.
|
|
UK Orders Includes 1st Class Postage to United Kingdom Addressess |
Orders in £ (GPB) to European Countries Includes Standard Airmail Postage to Europe (Kits also available from FunkAmateur Online shop see below) |
Orders
in £ (GPB) USA and Canada Orders must be sent to Tom Hoflich KM5M see below |
|
Kit 1:
USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with Si570CAC CMOS Device,
PCB and programmed Atmel ATTiny45 for Softrock RXTX V6.1 and
V6.2. |
£21.50 |
£22.50 |
£23.00 |
|
Kit 2:
USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with Si570BBC LVDS Device,
PCB and programmed Atmel ATTiny45 |
£23.50 |
£24.50 |
£25.00 |
|
Kit 3: USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with programmed ATTiny45 but Without Si570 Device or T1(Availability:In Stock now) |
£11.50 |
£12.50 |
£13.00 |
|
Silicon
Labs Si570 CAC000141DG CMOS Device |
£11.00 |
£12.00 |
£12.50 |
|
Silicon
Labs Si570 BBC000141DG LVDS Device |
£12.50 |
£13.50 |
£14.00 |
|
Optional
Additional cost |
Add
£1.00 |
Add
£4.00 |
Add
£4.00 |
· Orders
should be made by sending your payment via Paypal
to:
sdrkits
at
gmail.com (replace
at by @ without spaces)
· Please do not forget to state your name and full postal address with your order and add Postage charges.
– Kit availability from Distributors
· Complete
USB-Synthesizer Kits including Documentation in German are available
from FunkAmateur
Online
Shop FUNKAMATEUR
Homepage
· UNITED
STATES AND CANADA Kit orders: - USB-Synthesizer
kits should be ordered direct from
Tom Hoflich KM5H
(thanks to Tom for bringing the Si570 to attention of Radio Amateurs)
Documentation for constructing the kit can be downloaded here: - (Updated 28 August)
SDR-Synthesizer Kit Documentation (PDF File)
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Bill of
Materials
3. Kit Assembly
4. Driver Installation for Microsoft
Windows XP
5. Driver installation verification
6. Functional
Tests
7. Interfacing with Softrock RXTX 6.1 and 6.2
8. PowerSDR
Setup
9. Rocky SDR Application Setup
PowerSDR.exe V1.9.2-SR40 Beta with USB Support can be download here:
PowerSDR.exe V1.9.2-SR40 Beta (Zip file)
If you have already installed the Sourceforge version PowerSDR v1.9.0 from Sourceforge upgrading to the
Beta version of PowerSDR with USB support for USB-Synthesizer Kit can be done as follows:
· Open Windows Explorer and Select directory “FlexRadio Systems” (Normally this is in C:\Program Files\FlexRadio Systems)
· Select the directory of the PowerSDR which you want to upgrade:
· Rename PowerSDR.exe to PowerSDR_old.exe (This preserves your current version of PowerSDR executable)
· Rename PowerSDR.dbf to PowerSDR_old.dbf (This preserves your current PowerSDR Setup Database)
· Download the Beta version of PowerSDR.exe and save into the PowerSDR directory (Place the new executable in the directory)
· run the new version of PowerSDR.exe
This will create a new version of PowderSDR.dbf including any new setup database parameters which may be required.
DG8SAQ USB_SYNTHESIZER APPLICATION
USB_SYNTH - Stand alone application to set Si570 Frequency (Zip file)
· Tom has written a cute application to set the frequency of the Si570 which may be downloaded from the link above.
· The frequency may be set to the nearest Hz......
· Or a Multiplication factor or Frequency offset (IF offset) may be specified ..
· Applications include RX Local Oscillator and VXO for TX applications, Test Oscillator or QRSS Beacon etc.
· Picture below shows the Setup screen and the configuration options.
· “Last Frequency Remember” Option for Standalone applications.

Links
-
USB
AVR Project Home page of Tom Baier DG8SAQ.
Tom developed
the AVR firmware for this project and also had a big input into the
hardware design of the AVR-Synthesizer. The LATEST Released AVR
firmware may be downloaded from Tom’s website:
PowerSDR
SDR Software: This is the link to download the freeware
version of PowerSDR which supports the USB-Synthesizer produced by
Guido PE1NNZ and Alan M0PUB & others who provided this great
software
Rocky V3.5 SDR Application Software:
Use this link to download Alex VE3NEA
Rocky 3.5 Program with USB AVR support
Thanks to Alex for
providing this Support!!
Publications
-
This
Project was published in:
· “FunkAmateur” FA June 2008 Minimalistischer hochwertiger Synthesizer mit USB-Steurung – Thomas Baier DG8SAQ: Pages 622 – 624
·
SPRAT 135 - Summer 2008 –
Journal of the G-QRP
Club:
USB-Controlled Synthesizer for Softrock RXTX and Local
Oscillator Applications by G0BBL
SDR-Kits - contact information -
email: sdrkits( at)gmail.com replace ( at) by @)
SDR-Kits.net
Jan
Verduyn G0BBL
14 Ragleth Grove
Trowbridge Wilts
BA14-7LE
United
Kingdom
Copyright notice: The USB-Synthesizer project design on this page is Copyright 2008 by QRP2000 Design team.All rights reserved.
Kit of parts produced by SDR-Kits.net under licence from QRP2000 Design Team
Website Copyright 2008 by SDR-Kits.net