HERMES
Hermes - A DUC/DDC Transceiver
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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
