SunSDR
HAM radio system with digital signal processing
Transceiver is intended to the concerned work with PC and sound card. This device opens up absolutely new opportunities for the users, because it’s possible now, not only to hear the signals from the stations, but also to see them on a screen of the SDR-program. It is also possible to record the signal from the air and to reproduce it into the air back. Small number of the components reduces the level of noise floor.
SunSDR is a PC device, which in connection with SDR program represents the full value transceiver. Anodic robust aluminum box doesn’t conduct electricity, which prevents from possible shorts if bared wire hits the case. This device has a built-in protection from polarity reversal. Mounted Jack 6,3 mm connectors possess qualitative electric contact, a factor which makes lower quadrature disbalance. High-speed USB 2.0 interface is used for transceiver’s control.
Figure 1. SunSDR connection to PC
SunSDR electronic part is executed on one two-layer PCB. Due to this engineering solution the device has certain advantages: more reliability, small enclosure dimensions and weight. The amount of digital lines on a PCB were reduced because of mounting on the card CPLD. Therefore it makes lower the level of noise pickups from digital chains (because now they are placed inside CPLD crystal). It should be also noted a low level of the carrier frequency transmitter (lower than -55 dB), reached by right component layout of mixer and transmitting tract topology. Band LPFs (low-pass filter) are executed on a ceramic chip coils. Using such technology allows to make lower the level of intermodulation distortion transceiving tract and makes higher a receiving dynamic range.
Receiver has 5 gain levels, which are switched from the program ExpertSDR. Each gain level defines receiver’s sensitivity. Receiver’s measurements with the soundcard M-AUDIO – Audiophile 192 are shown in tables at the tab Characteristics.
Transmit power, not more, P.E.P. W | 1 |
Receiver Frequency Range, MHz | 1 – 60 |
IMD3, not worse than, dB | 84 |
Supply voltage range, V | 13,5..15 |
Dimensions, mm | 170х165х55 |
Receiver’s sensitivity at the frequency 14.200 MHz: | ||
Preamplifier levels | Sensitivity, uV | Sensitivity, dBm |
Preamp High + RF.Amp | 0.02 | -141 |
Preamp High | 0.028 | -138 |
Preamp Med | 0.1 | -127 |
Preamp Low | 0.056 | -132 |
Preamp Off | 0.158 | -123 |
Receiver’s sensitivity at the frequency 28.000 MHz: | ||
Preamplifier levels | Sensitivity, uV | Sensitivity, dBm |
Preamp High + RF.Amp | 0.022 | -140 |
Preamp High | 0.05 | -133 |
Preamp Med | 0.178 | -122 |
Preamp Low | 0.071 | -130 |
Preamp Off | 0.199 | -121 |
Modification, transceiver SunSDR 15М
Two modifications of the device were developed - SunSDR M and SunSDR 15M. The main peculiarity of SunSDR 15M from the previous version is the embedded to the board power amplifier 30 W. Amplifier is built on two-circuit scheme and has the amplification of the order 40 dB. The first chain is done on the operational amplifier OPA2674, in the second chain – two transistors RD16HHF-101 (pull-push curcuit in class “B”). Supply voltage range left the same 13,5 ... 15 V.
Figure 2 – Printed circuit board of transceiver SunSDR 15M as a set
One-watt version is done without soldering the components of 30 W amplifier. As the reference-frequency oscillator of frequency synthesizer are operationally set crystal-controlled oscillators to the frequency 100 MHz. However operationally can be set oscillators to 200 MHz.
New and old device's distinguishing features | ||
Distinguishing features: | SunSDR | SunSDR 15M |
Embedded power amplifier up to 30W | No | Yes |
Direct work with electret microphone | No | Yes |
Maximum consumption current in the transmitting mode | 1A | 3.8A |
Recommended power supply | 15В, 1.2A (EE-PS-01) | 15В, 4.0A (EE-PS-02) |
Cable wiring Line-IN, MIC | crosswise | direct |
Opportunity to supply the microphone amplifier from the "MIC" connector | No | Yes |
Optional setting 200MHz crystal-controlled oscillator | Yes | Yes |
Dimentions, mm | 170x165x55 | 170x165x55 |
Weigh, g | 850 | 1500 |
Scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd. 11.11.2008
Archive of documents with scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd.11.11.2008. Version of printed board is written on the board near the fan connector.
Scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd. 17.04.2010
Archive of documents with scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd. 17.04.2010. Version of printed board is written on the board near the fan connector.
Scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd. 07.10.2011
Archive of documents with scheme and printed board of SunSDR transceiver, version dd. 07.10.2011. Version of printed board is written on the board near the fan connector.
This guide describes how to setup ExpertSDR2 for use with one or two CW Skimmers.
Windows
Warning!
If you have Windows error MSVPC100.dll or MSVCR100.dll missing, you must to download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 (x86)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 (x86)
ExpertSDR v.2.1.4.21
[source code]
Driver for SunSDR transceiver for OS Vista, Windows7, x32, x64
Warning! In 32-bit versions of Windows, drivers are working and installed in the usual way. Some versions of Windows 7 x32 drivers offered are not suitable. In this case, you must use the drivers for Windows XP.
In the 64-bit versions of Windows drivers can be installed only in the non-digital signature verification. This mode is started at boot time by pressing the F8 key and select the appropriate mode from the list.
Driver for SunSDR transceiver for OS Windows XP
In zip-archive you can find a quick start how to install drivers(RUS).