Difference between revisions of "HERMES"

Revision as of 22:05, 7 May 2010

Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver

Hardware block diagram. Click to enlarge.

Project Leader: Kevin M0KHZ

Following the outstanding success of Mercury and 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.

So here is the proposal, to develop a single board HPSDR based on the hardware of Mercury and Penelope and a single large fpga.

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 type PA  :).

Basic specs so far (nothing cast in stone)

• Fpga EP3C25Q240C or EP3C40Q240 (I think this is the largest without BGA pin out)
• Mercury receive chain
• Penelope transmit chain, possible small change to gain distribution
• USB2 to PC data transfer
• Pennywhistle PA (if there’s room)
• 10Mhz ext an option
• Alex filter switching header
• 2.8W stereo audio PA
• 13.5V supply

Following the tradition of the HPSDR naming convention, I thought Hermes was appropriate as he was known for his invention and theft!

Update 8 May 2010

A working Hermes plus built Apollo board will be on display on the TAPR booth at the Dayton Hamvention 14-16th May 2010. The Hermes board is a Beta PCB built by Kjell Karlsen, LA2NI. The Apollo is an Alpha board, designed and built by Kjell.

The Beta Hermes board incorporates a new ultra low noise Switching Power Supply designed by Kjell. This eliminates the heat that would otherwise be generated by a conventional linear power supply. It also reduces the power drawn from a 13.8v supply to less than 500mA.

A photo of the boards in a Hammond enclosure is shown below.

The current feature list for Hermes is as follows:

• Uninterrupted coverage from 50kHz to 54MHz • Transmit and receiver image rejection > 110dB • Full duplex operation, any split over entire 160m to 6m range • Eight independent receivers using the same antenna • 500mW RF output on 160 – 6m amateur bands • Built-in high performance preamp, with a noise floor typically -135dBm in 500Hz • Software-selectable 20dB input attenuator • High performance receiver – same specifications as the HPSDR Mercury receiver (ie Blocking Dynamic Range typically of about 125dB) • Built-in Altera USB BlasterTM for updating of FPGA code via USB • Seven user-configurable open-collector outputs,independently selectable per band and Tx/Rx (for relay control, etc - with sequencing via KISS Konsole) • 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) • Optional in-built switch mode power supply – less than 500mA (receive) from a 13.8V supply • I2C bus connector for control of external equipment • Full QSK using the Kiss Konsole software, since digital signal processing is not used in the controlling PC for CW carrier generation • Provides up to eight simultaneous receivers from one antenna if suitable PC software is used • Diode-protected USB interface • Low-level transmitter output for transverter use (0dBm) as well as 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 • 122.88MHz master clock, which can be phase-locked to an internal 10MHz TCXO or external frequency reference • Jumper-selectable external frequency reference, with signal processing, to suit numerous GPS-locked 10MHz reference sources • Direct ribbon cable interface to Apollo 15W power amplifier, low pass filters and automatic ATU.

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

Update 8 January 2010

Both Alpha Hermes boards are now working 100%. Phil, VK6APH has had over 100 QSOs into Europe using his board and a 100W external amplifier. All the FPGA code is written and tested and KISS Konsole and PowerSDR(TM) have been modified to support Hermes.

We are currently waiting for a couple of components to arrive that we wish to evaluate prior to correcting a few small errors on the Alpha PCB. This should be completed in then next few days. We will then manufacture Beta release PCBs for the evaluation builders to build and test. Once complete we will move to production. We are currently negotiating with a number of potential manufacturers and will announce the successful one shortly. Both blank and fully assembled and tested PCB's will be available.

Ken, K9VV, has a lot on information regarding Hermes on his web site here http://www.n9vv.com/hamradio.html

Update 16 December 2009

caption (click for larger image) photo courtesy Phil Harman VK6APH

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 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 : Hermes_RevA5-3.pdf

Update (27 September 09) following comments regarding the initial schematics, the design has now been frozen for Alpha board development, thank you to all who have contributed, through an HPSDR community effort, Hermes is one step closer to becoming a reality. The updated schematics can be found here : Hermes_RevA7-3.pdf

Update (9 October 09) Just to wet your appetite, here are the current top & bottom layout details for Hermes.

Hermes_top.pdf

Hermes_bottom.pdf

Although not quite finished you can gain an appreciation of the beautiful and artful skills from Tony. He is doing a fantastic job laying out the 6 layers needed to bring Hermes alive, current plans are to finalise the layout this weekend, shortly followed by an order for the Alpha PCB’s.

Update (14 October 09) I've uploaded the Alpha PCB foils, costings are being sort and we are planning to order the Alpha boards in the very near future.

Bottom.pdf

VCC.pdf

L4.pdf

L3.pdf

GND.pdf

Top Layer.pdf

Silkscreen Bottom.pdf

Silkscreen Top.pdf

Update (2 November 09) The Alpha PCB's have just been released from the manufacture and are currently in transit to Bill for kitting, pictures can be found here:

DSC00142.jpg

DSC00143.jpg

Tony has started populating the first board, supplies and FX2 all correct and working, he is now building up the receive chain in preparation for some initial test code Phil is in the process of developing.

Further updates to follow shortly.

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

Please see HERMES - Design Discussions