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Hands-On Software Defined Radio

Hands-On Software Defined Radio. Getting Started with Software Defined Radios - or - “Now that I can spell SDR, what now?” Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI 2008 Dayton Hamvention SDR Forum. First and Foremost: Thank You!. Eric Ellison, AA4SW Dan Babcock, N4XWE. Presentation Overview.

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Hands-On Software Defined Radio

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  1. Hands-OnSoftware Defined Radio Getting Started with Software Defined Radios - or - “Now that I can spell SDR, what now?” Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI 2008 Dayton Hamvention SDR Forum © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  2. First and Foremost:Thank You! Eric Ellison, AA4SW Dan Babcock, N4XWE © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  3. Presentation Overview • Brief introduction to SDR concepts • Examples of SDR RF hardware • Examples of SDR software • PC System Requirements • Musings on applications and the future • Links and Resources to get you started © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  4. What is an SDR anyway?Software Defined Radio An SDR in general is a radio that has • Primary functionality (mod/demodulation, filtering, etc) defined in software • DSP algorithms implemented in configurable hardware and/or PC software Best known examples of SDRs • FlexRadio Systems SDR-1000, FLEX-5000A • Tony Parks, KB9YIG’s SoftRock series of kits An SDR is NOT: • A computer-controlled conventional radio • A conventional radio with a GUI integrated into its front panel • A SuperHet rig with AF-DSP © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  5. Why SDR? Why would you do that? (Use a PC for a radio, that is?) • Radios look more and more like computers – user acceptance • Highest performance: FlexRadio FLEX-5000A • Lowest Cost: SoftRock RXTX, US$31 • Most Flexible: HPSDR, USRP • Demodulation/Filtering/Interfacing flexibility – user demands • Pervasive, inexpensive and high performance PC platforms • Open Source (GPL, OHL, NCL) builds synergy © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  6. Computer or Radio? TenTec Orion II © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  7. Highest Performance FlexRadio Systems FLEX-5000A © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  8. Lowest Cost SoftRock RXTXv6.2 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  9. Most Flexible HPSDR System © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  10. Most Flexible Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  11. Why SDR? Why would you do that? (Use a PC for a radio, that is?) • Radios look more and more like computers – user acceptance • Highest performance: FlexRadio FLEX-5000A • Lowest Cost: SoftRock RXTX, US$31 • Most Flexible: HPSDR, USRP • Demodulation/Filtering/Interfacing flexibility – user demands • Pervasive, inexpensive and high performance PC platforms • Open Source (GPL, OHL, NCL) builds synergy © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  12. Why SDR? A more appropriate question would be: Why wouldn’t you do that? (Use a PC for a radio, that is?) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  13. What Is SDR? How do they do that? (Make a PC into a radio, that is?) • Antenna to speaker (RX) • Microphone (or paddle, keyboard, computer) to antenna (TX) • Modulation, Demodulation and Filtering • RF generation • Operating the Radio – the Graphical User Interface (GUI) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  14. SDR Basics - RX Simplified SDR Receiver Block Diagram © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  15. SDR Basics - RX Detailed SDR Receiver Block Diagram © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  16. SDR Basics - RX SDR Receiver Block Diagram (Mixer) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  17. SDR Basics - RX SDR Receiver Block Diagram (Direct Sampling) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  18. SDR Basics - TX SDR Transmitter Block Diagram (Mixer) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  19. SDR Basics - TX SDR Transmitter Block Diagram (Direct Up Conversion) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  20. Modulation and Demodulation and Filtering, Oh My! • Software Algorithms (e.g., DttSP) • Hardware Algorithms (e.g., inside an FPGA) • Mathematics, very dangerous! You go first! © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  21. RF Generation • Putting the “Fire to the Wire” • Mix audio to RF (QSE) • Synthesize RF waveform (Direct Up Conversion) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  22. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) The GUI is your window into controlling your SDR • What you see is what you get! • Conventional (PowerSDR) or SDR-adapted (Rocky) • One size does NOT fit all • Controls hardware functions (obvious) • PTT, antenna switching, RF power level • Controls software functions (not so obvious) • Modulation/demodulation type, calibration, RX filter BW • Ancillary functions: logging, spotting, multiplier checking, grayline © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  23. SDR Examples: Hardware Some Examples of SDR Hardware • Homebrew • SoftRock - RXTXv6.2 • HPSDR - Atlas, Ozy, Janus, Penelope, Mercury, Alex • Quicksilver - QS1R (RX only now, QS1T TX coming soon) • USRP – USRP-PKG, LFRX, LFTX • FlexRadio Systems – SDR-1000, FLEX-5000A • Perseus and SDR-IQ (RX only) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  24. SDR Examples: Hardware Homebrew! (no beer, just roll your own) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  25. © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  26. SDR Examples: Hardware • Cost: US$30 to US$38 • QSD RX/QSE RX • 1W RF output • Crystal controlled • 7 versions: • 160m (1.812, 1.843, 1.919) • 80m (3.514, 3.549, 3.579) • 80m/40m (3.507/7.014, 3.527/7.055) • 40m/30m (7.014, 7.056, 10.124) • 30m/20m (10.124, 14.050) • 17m/15m (21.050, 21.160) • 12m/10m (user supplied xtals) • XTALLv1.1 (US$12+20) • 16 DIP switch selected frequencies • Made by Tony Parks, KB9YIG SoftRock RXTXv6.2 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  27. Sidebar: SoftRock History SoftRocks Through Time • 2005: SoftRock 40 Receiver (kitretired) • 4x Xtal Osc, QSD, RX only • 1,000 kits produced (800 by AmQRP, 200 by KB9YIG) • Q1-Q2 2006: SoftRock 5 Receiver (kitretired) • RC phase shifter, 2 board set (QSD and BPF/Osc), RX only • 1,000 kits produced • Q2-Q3 2006: SoftRock 6 Receiver (kitretired) • 2 bands on one board, 4x or 8x clock, RX only • 2,000 kits produced • Q2-Q3 2006: SoftRock 7 Receiver (kitretired) • RC phase shifter, quadrature mixer (no QSD) for better performance on 10m, RX only • 500 produced • Q4 2006: SoftRock Lite Receiver (only $10!) (kitretired) • QSD similar to SoftRock 6, RX only • Over 2,700 produced • Q4 2006: SoftRock RXTX (v6.1, v6.2) (current production) • SoftRock 6 RX, QSE, 1W PA, transceiver • Over 2,400 sold so far © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  28. Sidebar: SoftRock History Think SDR isn’t interesting or popular? 11,000 SoftRock owners* disagree with you!!!! Thank You for your contribution to SDR, Tony Parks, KB9YIG * Well, maybe some of them own more than one kit. As a member of sAA (SoftRock Assemblers Anonymous), I can only tell you that I own more than one. © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  29. SDR Examples: Hardware © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  30. What is the HPSDR Project…? The HPSDR Project is a modular, open source hardware and software platform for development of all components of a Software Defined Radio. It is also a group of volunteers dedicated to the building of a pool of open-source Software Defined Radio design information. HPSDR specifically is a radio with the following features: • Very High Performance • Based upon an open source model (OHL/NCL hardware, GPL software) • Modular and expandable • Contributes to the advancement the State of the Radio Art © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  31. …and why is TAPR involved? HPSDR is not based in Tucson • Group of dedicated volunteers with worldwide participation • HPSDR group is tied together by the Internet (Teamspeak, E-mail, Web-based Wiki) HPSDR is not Packet Radio • It could be used for that mode, since it is software defined • It is predominately digital Main components are fully assembled and tested (not traditional TAPR kits) • Fine pin pitch of SMT components requires special tools and skills for assembly • Not for the faint of heart (or fuzzy-visioned) • Simple boards still offered as kits, complex ones offered assembled and tested © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  32. TAPR’s MISSION Support HPSDR development with: R&D funding • Breadboard prototypes • Alpha PCBs Volume production • Put leading edge technology into many hands Result: Ever growing pool of contributors, experimenters and subsequent advancement of the radio art Even though HPSDR is not Packet Radio, TAPR’s mission hasn’t really changed! © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  33. The Boards • Atlas: The Backplane (US$35 – kit) • Pinocchio: The Extender (US$18 – kit) • Ozymandias: USB gateway (US$137 a/t) • Janus: Baseband A/D and D/A Converter (US$163 a/t) • Penelope: Transmitter/Exciter (US$219 a/t) • Mercury: Direct Sampling Front End (coming soon) • Alexiares: RF Bandpass Filter Board Set (coming soon) http://tapr.org Hamvention Booths 455-458 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  34. Atlas Backplane Six slots, ATX power supply input, LED power indicators © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  35. Pinocchio Extender Extends Atlas backplane connector above adjacent boards © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  36. Ozymandias USB Gateway USB Interface to Atlas Bus with Parallel I/O © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  37. Janus – A/D and D/A Converter High Speed Full-duplex A-to D and D-to-A Converter © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  38. Penelope – Transmitter Exciter Digital Up Conversion (DUC) ½ W Transmitter/Exciter © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  39. Mercury - Direct Sampling Front End 0 – 65 MHz Direct Sampling Receiver Front End © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  40. Alexiares – RF Bandpass Filters RF Preselector/TX Low Pass Filter Bank (2 board set) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  41. Atlas/Ozy/Janus, why do I need them? If you have (or are contemplating) an SDR-1000 • Sound card? We don’t need no stinkin’ sound card! • Janus has a 24-bit, 192-ksps A/D input • Replaces Delta-44 ($150) or Edirol FA-66 ($300) • Oops, don’t have a parallel port! • Ozy has a parallel control interface • Replaces USB-to-Parallel converter ($70) © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  42. Atlas/Ozy/Janus, why do I need them? If you don’t have an SDR-1000 • Why not? • Want to play with low cost SDR? • Try Tony KB9YIG’s SoftRock series ($31) • groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40 • How about a high-performance audio spectrum analyzer? • Ozy provides USB 2.0 for Penelope and Mercury © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  43. SDR Examples: Hardware Quicksilver QS1R VERB VERB = VErsatile Receiver Board 16-bit 125Ms/s ADC 15kHz – 55MHz Receiver (LPF input) 15kHz – 300MHz Receiver (direct input) No sound system required USB 2.0 connection to computer Very high-performance and versatile SDRMAXII GUI, QS1RServer control/DSP software and hardware is Open Source Cost: US$849 Designed by Phil Covington, N8VB http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  44. SDR Examples: Hardware More Quicksilver Boards From N8VB • QS1F – A Front-end Filter Board for the QS1R • Preselctor • RF Amplifier • Attenuator • Planned availability: June/July 2008 • QS1T – Direct Up Conversion Transmitter Board • 15kHz – 55MHz • 1 Watt Output • Planned availability: Aug/Sep 2008 http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  45. SDR Examples: Hardware Ettus Research USRP USRP = Universal Software Radio Peripheral Motherboard accepts up to four daughter cards Open Source hardware and software On-board FPGA and USB 2.0 interface Ten daughter card types, and counting! GNU Radio supports Linux, Windows, Mac Cost: $700 (including enclosure & PS) Built by Matt Ettus, N2MJI http://www.ettus.com © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  46. SDR Examples: Hardware Ettus Research USRP Daughter Cards DC to 30MHz Receiver (US$75) DC to 30MHz Transmitter (US$75) 1MHz to 250MHz Receiver (US$75) 1MHz to 250MHz Transmitter (US$75) 50MHz to 860MHz Receiver (US$100) 800MHz to 2400MHz Receiver (US$150) 750MHz to 1050MHz Transceiver (US$275) 1150MHz to 1450MHz Transceiver (US$275) 1.5GHz to 2.1GHz Transceiver (US$275) 2.3GHz to 2.9GHz Transceiver (US$275) 800MHz to 2400MHz Receiver http://www.ettus.com 2.3GHz to 2.9GHz Transceiver © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  47. SDR Examples: Hardware FlexRadio Systems SDR-1000 Discontinued, available used High performance 160m – 6m band TX coverage 12kHz – 60MHz RX coverage Available in 1W or 100W version Requires supported sound system Cost: US$1,000 - US$1500 used http://www.flex-radio.com Hamvention Booths 313-315 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  48. SDR Examples: Hardware FlexRadio Systems FLEX-5000A Very high performance 160m – 6m band TX coverage 10kHz – 65MHz RX coverage Available 100W version No sound system required Requires Firewire connection to PC Also available as FLEX-5000C with integrated computer Cost: US$2799 Built by Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR http://www.flex-radio.com Hamvention Booths 313-315 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  49. SDR Examples: Hardware Perseus VLF- HF Receiver 14-bit 80Ms/s ADC Step input attenuator, 10-band preselector High IP3 preamp 10kHz – 30MHz Receiver 10kHz – 40MHz spectrum analyzer No sound system required USB 2.0 connection to computer Perseus Control Software for Windows 2000, XP, Vista Cost: £553 (€694, US$1075) excl vat http://www.microtelecom.it/perseus Hamvention Booths 652-653 © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

  50. SDR Examples: Hardware RF Space SDR-IQ VLF – HF Receiver 14-bit 66.6Ms/s ADC Switched input attenuators and filters 500Hz – 30MHz Receiver/Spectrum Analyzer No sound system required USB 2.0 powered – no power supply Network Server for Linux/Windows allows remote use SpectraVue Software for Windows 2000, XP, Vista Cost: US$499 http://www.rfspace.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SDR-IQ © 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI

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