SDR-Kits.net
Welcome to the SDR-Kits USB Synthesizer Kit
Updated 30th July 2010: (Si570BBB is back in stock)
QRP2000 USB-Controlled Synthesizer –Si570BBB000141DG covering up to 810 MHz as specified by
Silicon Labs - In practice the Si570BBB can be used up to 945 MHz.
Stand Alone Operation supported – Synthesizer remembers last frequency entered, when not connected to PC
Three Power Supply options: USB – powered by PC, or standalone operation from +5V Battery or +7 to +13.8V External Power Supply
Provision for Transformer on PCB for matching into 50 Ohm Load:
Click here for Pricing and Ordering information
USB-Synthesizer Documentation V2.05 documentation for current PCBs supplied.
Download USB-Synthesizer Driver and Firmware Windows 64 bit applications currently not yet supported.
USB-Synthesizer AVR Trouble Shooting
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 Kit 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 945 MHz depending on the Si570 chip used. The Si570CAC CMOS version is specified for 160 MHz, max freq 210 MHz, , The Si570BBC LVDS version is specified up to 280 MHz and the Si570BBB LDS version is specified at 810 MHz with 945 MHz as maximum. The Si570 chips are programmable via an I2C Interface. The ready programmed ATMEL AVR uses Objective Development's freeware USB solution for connecting the synthesizer to the PC USB-Interface via USB port.
Main Applications
· Full Band or Multi Band coverage of Softrock RXTX V6.1 and V6.2 transceivers (use Kit 1 CMOS version)
· 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 Kit 1: 3.5 MHz to 210 MHz for Kit 1 (10-160 Mhz specified by Silabs) and Kit 2: 3.5 MHz up to 280 MHz (10-280 MHz) specified by SiLab for C-grade LVDS device supplied) New!! New!! Si570BBB Device up to 945 MHz (810 MHz specified by Silabs) available!
· Stability +/- 50 ppm CMOS or +/- 20 ppm LVDS versions
· 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 Pricing -
Complete Kits contain a quality double sided PCB, a programmed Atmel ATTiny45 micro-controller and other parts including the SiLabs Si570CAC000141DG CMOS device, Si570BBC000141DG or Si570BBB000141DG will be supplied as ordered.
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UK Orders Includes 1st Class Postage to UK incl 17.5% Tax |
Orders in £ (GBP) to European Union (EEC) Countries |
Orders in £ (GBP) |
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QRP2000 USB-Controlled RF Synthesizer Kits |
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Kit 1: 160 MHz CMOS USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with Si570CAC CMOS Device, PCB and programmed Atmel ATTiny45 for Softrock RXTX V6.1 and V6.2. including shipping |
£24.50 |
£25.50 |
£22.50 |
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Kit 2: 280 MHz LVDS USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with Si570BBC LVDS Device, PCB and programmed Atmel ATTiny45 including shipping |
£26.00 |
£27.00 |
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Kit 3: USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with programmed ATTiny45 but without Si570 Device or T1 including shipping |
£13.50 |
£14.50 |
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Kit 4: 810 MHz LVDS USB-Controlled Synthesizer kit of parts with programmed ATTiny45 with Si570BBB000141DG LVDS Device including shipping |
£49.00 |
£50.00 |
£45.00 |
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Silicon Labs Si570 Synthesizer ICs |
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Silicon Labs Si570 CAC000141DG CMOS Device – 160 MHz Spec (210 MHz Max) including shipping |
£15.00 2 for £29.00 |
£16.00 2 for £30.00 |
£14.00 2 for £27.00 |
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Silicon Labs Si570 BBC000141DG LVDS Device – 280 MHz Spec including shipping |
£16.50 2 for £31.00 |
£17.50 2 for £33.00 |
£15.50 2 for £29.00 |
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Silicon Labs Si570 BBB000141DG LVDS Device - 810 MHz Spec (945 MHz max) - including shipping |
£39.00 |
£40.00 |
£35.00 |
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Coilcraft 4:1 Transformer WBC4-1WLB (free shipping when ordered with any kit) |
£2.50 |
£2.50 |
£2.50 |
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Mitsubishi RF Power FETS from Stock |
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SDR receiver kits by KB9YIG |
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Softrock 40 Lite by KB9YIG for centre frequency 7.055 kHz - including postage |
£13.00 |
£14.00 |
£14.00 |
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Softrock 80 Lite by KB9YIG with 3 crystals supplied. Centre frequency 3.750 kHz, 3.522 kHz or 3682 kHz - including postage |
£14.00 |
£15.00 |
£15.00 |
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Optional Additional cost for “Signed for Registered Delivery" for orders less than £75.00 in value: |
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)
UK Amateurs who do not have paypal may order by post with cheque made payable to Jan Verduyn
Please do not forget to state your name and full postal address with your order.
· 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)
USB-controlled Synthesizer Documentation
USB-Synthesizer Kit Assembly Instructions (PDF File) for v2.03, 2.04 and v2.05 PCBs
Older PCB V1.0 Build Documentation and Circuit diagram PCB can be downloaded here:
PCB V1.1 SDR-Synthesizer Kit Documentation (PDF File)
PCB V1.1 has a floating pad which should be connected to ground.
Field bulletin issued shows how to link the pad – Also updated component placement diagram!
USB Driver and Firmware by DG8SAQ
Driver and sources of the firmware and host software including a free LibUSB driver can be downloaded here:
Download DG8SAQ-Synthesizer Driver and firmware
PowerSDR Software Release
Current version of PowerSDR application with Softrock extensions provided by Guido PE1NNZ through Sourceforge can be downloaded here.
Current PowerSDR Software for SDR
Updated PE1NNZ PowerSDR Documentation can be downloaded from here:
Latest PowerSDRSR40 Installation Documentation
USB - AVR Troubleshooting Guide – Use this guide to trace your problem.
AVR Si570 Troubleshooting Guide by DG8SAQ
DG8SAQ USB_SYNTHESIZER APPLICATION
USB_SYNTH - Stand alone application to set Si570 Frequency
· Tom DG8SAQ 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 V3.6 SDR Application Software:
Use this link to download Alex VE3NEA Rocky 3.6 Program with USB AVR support
Thanks to Alex for providing this Support!!
Publications -
This Project was published in:
· SPRAT 135 - Summer 2008 – Journal of the G-QRP Club:
USB-Controlled Synthesizer for Softrock RXTX and Local Oscillator Applications by Jan Verduyn G0BBL
· “FunkAmateur” Funk Amateur June 2008 Pages 622-624
"Minimalistischer hochwertiger Synthesizer mit USB-Steurung" by Thomas Baier DG8SAQ:
Copyright notice: The USB-Synthesizer project design on this page is Copyright 2008, 2009, 2010 by QRP2000 Design team.All rights reserved.
Kit of parts produced by SDR-Kits.net under licence from QRP2000 Design Team
Website Copyright 2008, 2009, 2010 by SDR-Kits.net