Difference between revisions of "HERMES"

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''' Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver '''
 
''' Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver '''
  
[[Image:Hardware_Block_Diagram_V1_5.jpg|thumb|500px|Hardware block diagram. Click to enlarge.]]
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[[Image:Hardware_Block_Diagram_1_8.JPG|thumb|500px|Hardware block diagram. Click to enlarge.]]
 
Project Leader: Kevin M0KHZ
 
Project Leader: Kevin M0KHZ
  
Following the outstanding success of [[MERCURY|Mercury]] and [[PENELOPE|Penelope]], and while investigating the verilog code for both, I had the insane idea of merging the verilog code of Mercury and Penelope into a single fpga! I played around with this idea for a while and the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea.
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====Update 11 July 2012====
  
So here is '''<u>the proposal</u>''', '''to develop a single board HPSDR based on the hardware of Mercury and Penelope and a single large fpga.'''
+
Hermes is a single board Digital Up and Down Conversion (DUC/DDC) full duplex HF + 6m multi-mode transceiver.
  
This board would have PC connectivity by USB. I’m planning to squeeze this all onto Euro Card sized PCB (100 x 160 mm), and if I utilize both sides I might even have room for a [[PENNYWHISTLE|Pennywhistle]] type PA  :).  
+
It is basically the [[MERCURY|Mercury]], [[PENNYLANE|Pennylane]], [[METIS|Metis]] and [[EXCALIBUR|Excalibur]] (less TCXO) boards rolled into one PCB. The board communicates to an associated PC via 100T/1000T Ethernet.
  
Basic specs so far (nothing cast in stone)
+
Hermes has the following features and facilities:
  
*Fpga EP3C25Q240C or EP3C40Q240 (I think this is the largest without BGA pin out)
+
* Continuous, uninterrupted, receive coverage from 10kHz to 55MHz.
*Mercury receive chain
+
* Supports Real-Time display of entire spectrum from 0-55MHz (with suitable PC software)
*Penelope transmit chain, possible small change to gain distribution
+
* Supports 7 fully independent receivers (sharing the same antenna - and with suitable PC software)
*USB2 to PC data transfer
+
* Each receiver can display 48/96/192kHz of spectrum
*Pennywhistle PA (if there’s room)
+
* Blocking Dynamic Range (ARRL Method) - no detectable gain compression below ADC overload
*10Mhz ext an option
+
* High performance receiver – same specifications as the HPSDR Mercury receiver (ie Dynamic Range typically 125dB)
*Alex filter switching header
+
* Transmit and receiver image rejection > 110dB
*2.8W stereo audio PA
+
* Full duplex operation, any split over entire 160m to 6m range.
*13.5V supply
+
* Transmitter two-tone 3rd order IMD of -50dBc on 20m @ 400mW output
 +
* 500mW RF output on 160 – 10m amateur bands, 350mW on 6m
 +
* Built-in high performance preamp, with a noise floor typically -135dBm in 500Hz
 +
* Software-selectable 31dB input attenuator in 1dB steps
 +
* FPGA code can be updated via the Industry Standard TCP/IP network Ethernet connection
 +
* Seven user-configurable open-collector outputs, independently selectable per band and Tx/Rx (for relay control, etc - with sequencing via PC code)
 +
* Separate open-collector PTT connection for amplifier control, etc, with sequencer
 +
* Microphone PTT jumper-selectable from tip or ring connection
 +
* Bias for electret microphones via jumper
 +
* Four user-configurable 12 bit analogue inputs (for ALC, SWR etc)
 +
* Three user-configurable digital inputs (for linear amplifier over temperature, etc)
 +
* Can operate from a 13.8v DC supply or +12v and +5v supplies
 +
* Jumper selected in-built low noise and high efficiency switch mode power supply designed by Kjell Karson,LA2NI – less than 600mA (receive - one receiver) from a 13.8V supply
 +
* I2C bus connector for control of external equipment
 +
* Full QSK operation (performance dependant on associated PC and control software)
 +
* Low-level transmitter output for transverter use via user-selectable output attenuator
 +
* Stereo audio outputs at line and headphone levels
 +
* In-built 1W stereo audio amplifier for directly driving speakers
 +
* Direct, de-bounced connections for a Morse key (straight or iambic) and PTT
 +
* Low phase noise (-140dBc/Hz @ 1kHz at 14MHz) 122.88MHz master clock,which can be phase-locked to an internal 10MHz TCXO or external frequency reference
 +
* Direct ribbon cable interface to [[Apollo]] 15W power amplifier, low pass filters and automatic ATU or ANAN-10 10W power amplifier and low power filters [http://www.apache-labs.com http://www.apache-labs.com]
 +
* Industry Standard TCP/IP network Ethernet interface supports static, APIPA or DHCP IP address
 +
* Hermes responds to ping and ARP requests and auto senses network connection speed
 +
* PCB is 160mm x 120mm, 8 layers
  
Following the tradition of the HPSDR naming convention, I thought Hermes was appropriate as he was known for his invention and theft!
 
[[Image:P1010663.JPG|thumb|300px|The enclosure I intend to use for the prototype, the euro card will slide in, regulators and PA transistors will be bolted directly to the case and there is plenty of room for additional hardware (LPF's, Beagleboard??? - who knows :))]]
 
Current status ( 20 April 09 ), Project proposal [[HERMES - Design Discussions|open for comment]]. Looking to nail ‘major’ hardware decisions by the end of the month. Initial draft schematics will then be produced and placed here on the Wiki for comment.
 
  
Update (13 September 09 ) the initial schematics have been created and can be found here : [[Media:Hermes_RevA5-3.pdf]]
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[[Apollo]] is a combined 15w PA, Low Pass Filter bank and Automatic ATU. The Apollo project is led by Kjell Karlsen LA2NI.
 +
  
[[Apollo]] is a combined 15w PA and Low Pass Filter bank. The Apollo project is led by Kjell Karlsen LA2NI .
+
Hermes can be used as a Vector Network Analyzer: [[VNA]]
  
''' Please see [[HERMES - Design Discussions]]'''
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[[Image:hermesapolloincase.jpg|thumb|500px|Hermes and Apollo in enclosure - photo copyright Kjell Karlsen 2010.]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Update 7 August 2011====
 +
 
 +
The primary PCB layout team member of Hermes, Abhi has a blog on Hermes at [http://hpsdrhermes.blogspot.com/ http://hpsdrhermes.blogspot.com/ ]. --[[User:KV0S|KV0S, Dave]]
 +
 
 +
====Update 7 July 2011====
 +
 
 +
A prototype board has been built and tested. The board is fully functional and meets or exceeds the performance of the Mercury/Penelope/Metis/Excalibur boards the design is based on.
 +
 
 +
Some minor board layout issues are currently being addressed and a pre-production layout is presently being prepared.
 +
The KD5TFD and W5WC versions of PowerSDR(TM) as well as KISS Konsole have been modified to provide native Hermes support.
 +
 
 +
Ken, N9VV, has a lot of information regarding Hermes on his web site here  http://www.n9vv.com/hamradio.html
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Hermes.jpg|thumb|500px|center| (click for larger image) photo courtesy Abhi Arunoday ]]
 +
There are also the [[Hermes Board Build Notes]]
 +
 
 +
====Update 2 December 2012====
 +
 
 +
A useful website for Hermes users can be found at [http://www.k9ivb.net/hermes/ www.k9ivb.net/hermes/] by Dick K9IVB.  --[[User:KV0S|KV0S, Dave]]
 +
 
 +
There are the [[Hermes Board Build Notes]] as well.
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Hermes| ]]

Latest revision as of 05:50, 28 December 2012

Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver

Hardware block diagram. Click to enlarge.

Project Leader: Kevin M0KHZ

Update 11 July 2012

Hermes is a single board Digital Up and Down Conversion (DUC/DDC) full duplex HF + 6m multi-mode transceiver.

It is basically the Mercury, Pennylane, Metis and Excalibur (less TCXO) boards rolled into one PCB. The board communicates to an associated PC via 100T/1000T Ethernet.

Hermes has the following features and facilities:

  • Continuous, uninterrupted, receive coverage from 10kHz to 55MHz.
  • Supports Real-Time display of entire spectrum from 0-55MHz (with suitable PC software)
  • Supports 7 fully independent receivers (sharing the same antenna - and with suitable PC software)
  • Each receiver can display 48/96/192kHz of spectrum
  • Blocking Dynamic Range (ARRL Method) - no detectable gain compression below ADC overload
  • High performance receiver – same specifications as the HPSDR Mercury receiver (ie Dynamic Range typically 125dB)
  • Transmit and receiver image rejection > 110dB
  • Full duplex operation, any split over entire 160m to 6m range.
  • Transmitter two-tone 3rd order IMD of -50dBc on 20m @ 400mW output
  • 500mW RF output on 160 – 10m amateur bands, 350mW on 6m
  • Built-in high performance preamp, with a noise floor typically -135dBm in 500Hz
  • Software-selectable 31dB input attenuator in 1dB steps
  • FPGA code can be updated via the Industry Standard TCP/IP network Ethernet connection
  • Seven user-configurable open-collector outputs, independently selectable per band and Tx/Rx (for relay control, etc - with sequencing via PC code)
  • Separate open-collector PTT connection for amplifier control, etc, with sequencer
  • Microphone PTT jumper-selectable from tip or ring connection
  • Bias for electret microphones via jumper
  • Four user-configurable 12 bit analogue inputs (for ALC, SWR etc)
  • Three user-configurable digital inputs (for linear amplifier over temperature, etc)
  • Can operate from a 13.8v DC supply or +12v and +5v supplies
  • Jumper selected in-built low noise and high efficiency switch mode power supply designed by Kjell Karson,LA2NI – less than 600mA (receive - one receiver) from a 13.8V supply
  • I2C bus connector for control of external equipment
  • Full QSK operation (performance dependant on associated PC and control software)
  • Low-level transmitter output for transverter use via user-selectable output attenuator
  • Stereo audio outputs at line and headphone levels
  • In-built 1W stereo audio amplifier for directly driving speakers
  • Direct, de-bounced connections for a Morse key (straight or iambic) and PTT
  • Low phase noise (-140dBc/Hz @ 1kHz at 14MHz) 122.88MHz master clock,which can be phase-locked to an internal 10MHz TCXO or external frequency reference
  • Direct ribbon cable interface to Apollo 15W power amplifier, low pass filters and automatic ATU or ANAN-10 10W power amplifier and low power filters http://www.apache-labs.com
  • Industry Standard TCP/IP network Ethernet interface supports static, APIPA or DHCP IP address
  • Hermes responds to ping and ARP requests and auto senses network connection speed
  • PCB is 160mm x 120mm, 8 layers


Apollo is a combined 15w PA, Low Pass Filter bank and Automatic ATU. The Apollo project is led by Kjell Karlsen LA2NI.


Hermes can be used as a Vector Network Analyzer: VNA

Hermes and Apollo in enclosure - photo copyright Kjell Karlsen 2010.


Update 7 August 2011

The primary PCB layout team member of Hermes, Abhi has a blog on Hermes at http://hpsdrhermes.blogspot.com/ . --KV0S, Dave

Update 7 July 2011

A prototype board has been built and tested. The board is fully functional and meets or exceeds the performance of the Mercury/Penelope/Metis/Excalibur boards the design is based on.

Some minor board layout issues are currently being addressed and a pre-production layout is presently being prepared. The KD5TFD and W5WC versions of PowerSDR(TM) as well as KISS Konsole have been modified to provide native Hermes support.

Ken, N9VV, has a lot of information regarding Hermes on his web site here http://www.n9vv.com/hamradio.html

(click for larger image) photo courtesy Abhi Arunoday

There are also the Hermes Board Build Notes

Update 2 December 2012

A useful website for Hermes users can be found at www.k9ivb.net/hermes/ by Dick K9IVB. --KV0S, Dave

There are the Hermes Board Build Notes as well.