Difference between revisions of "HERMES"

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The KD5TFD and W5WC versions of PowerSDR(TM) as well as KISS Konsole have been modified to provide native Hermes support.
 
The KD5TFD and W5WC versions of PowerSDR(TM) as well as KISS Konsole have been modified to provide native Hermes support.
  
Ken, K9VV, has a lot on information regarding Hermes on his web site here  http://www.n9vv.com/hamradio.html
+
Ken, N9VV, has a lot on 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 ]]
 
[[Image:Hermes.jpg|thumb|500px|center| (click for larger image) photo courtesy Abhi Arunoday ]]

Revision as of 17:23, 7 July 2011

Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver

Hardware block diagram. Click to enlarge.

Project Leader: Kevin M0KHZ

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

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

Hermes has the following features and facilities:

  • Uninterrupted coverage from 50kHz to 54MHz
  • Transmit and receiver image rejection > 110dB
  • Full duplex operation, any split over entire 160m to 6m range
  • Future expansion possible to 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 31dB input attenuator in 1dB steps
  • High performance receiver – same specifications as the HPSDR Mercury receiver (ie Blocking Dynamic Range typically about 125dB)
  • FPGA code can be updated via the 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)
  • Optional in-built switch mode power supply – less than xxxmA (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
  • 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.
  • Low noise, high efficiency, Switching Power Supply designed by Kjell Karson,LA2NI
  • Ethernet interface supports fixed, APIP or DHCP IP address
  • Hermes responds to ping and ARP requests, auto senses Ethernet cable connection and connection speed

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


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


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 on information regarding Hermes on his web site here http://www.n9vv.com/hamradio.html

(click for larger image) photo courtesy Abhi Arunoday