HPSDRwiki:Community Portal

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

This is a new section started to allow asking and hopefully answering questions about HPSDR.

Documentation

• DOC This section contains links for downloading manuals for HPSDR Projects.

• Support documentation Build documents for users interested in building boards can be found here.

Getting Started

• Hardware Introduction This is a guide for those new to HPSDR about exactly what hardware you need to be able to use the system.
• Quick Startup Guide

Software

• SVN Subversion code versioning software Source code in the process of development.

• Software links and introduction to software components.

• Links to HPSDR software and resources can be found on the Resource page.

• DOWNLOADS - Firmware and Software Links to old firmware and software.

• Links to the Verilog/FPGA programming course by Kirk, KD7IRS -- see the Verilog page.

Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 Software

• Acorn-SDR by Bob Cowdery

• CW Skimmer From Alex, VE3NEA, has support for Mercury

• KISS Konsole, Written in C# and intended as a simple introduction to PC DSP programming.

• java-sdr Platform independent Java by John G0ORX/N6LYT.

• ghpsdr3 Multiple independent receivers - how to set up on Windows server & dspserver allow for multiple receivers (jmonitor) on a single Mercury (C version of the software)

• ghpsdr3-Qt, written in C++/Qt with as a server/client or server/dspserver/client cross-platform framework by John G0ORX/N6LYT. All component programs compile on Windows, MacOS and Linux and the components can communicatebetween platforms

PowerSDR

• PowerSDR Running on Microsoft Windows XP. Vista, or Windows 7

• PowerSDR Quick Startup Guide Documents to help users get HPSDR setup and working. Includes firmware upload instructions.

• Using Unique / Improved HPSDR Features Many PowerSDR features have been developed or improved specifically for HPSDR. Learn about using some of them here.

• HPSDR Digital Modes Operation using PowerSDR, Fldigi, VAC and com0com How to use additional programs to enable the digital modes using PowerSDR

• HPSDR Weak Signal Digital Modes Operation using PowerSDR with WSPR, WSJT9, JT65HF, VAC and VSP How to use additional programs to enable the weak signal digital modes using PowerSDR

• PowerSDR Keyboard Shortcut List This page lists all the known PowerSDR keyboard shortcuts.

USB drivers for Windows

• libusb0 Notes used in Windows 32 and 64 bit systems

Linux Software

• ghpsdr, written in C with a GTK+ GUI by John G0ORX/N6LYT. http://javaguifordttsp.blogspot.com/

• ghpsdr3, written in C with as a server/client or server/dspserver/client framework by John G0ORX/N6LYT. http://g0orx.blogspot.com/

• ghpsdr3-Qt, written in C++/Qt with as a server/client or server/dspserver/client cross-platform framework by John G0ORX/N6LYT. All component programs compile on Windows, MacOS and Linux and the components can communicatebetween platforms

• java-sdr Platform independent Java by John G0ORX/N6LYT.

Linux USB Drivers

• libusb1.0 Notes used in Linux 32 and 64 bit systems

Linux System Integration

• SYSTEM INTEGRATION This section contains information relative to "putting the pieces together".

MacOS X Software

• ghpsdr, written in C with a GTK+ GUI by John G0ORX/N6LYT. http://javaguifordttsp.blogspot.com/

• ghpsdr3-Qt, written in C++/Qt with as a server/client or server/dspserver/client cross-platform framework by John G0ORX/N6LYT. All component programs compile on Windows, MacOS and Linux and the components can communicate between platforms

• Heterodyne is a native Cocoa implementation of an HPSDR receiver. It uses currently John Melton's modified DttSP from ghpsdr to do the DSP work, but replaces out everything else with native Objective-C and Cocoa technologies. The current author and maintainer of the code is Jeremy McDermond (NH6Z).

• java-sdr Platform independent Java by John G0ORX/N6LYT.

Cross Platform issues

• USB Libraries Information of the various USB libraries used to access the OZY and MAGISTER interface boards.

Multi-Receivers

• Multi-Receiver How-to - This page explains the multi-receiver options and how-to set them up.

Software Projects

• ATHENA - A software Server module - A project to build OS specific server code, module communication libraries and communication protocol documentation.

• KISS Konsole - Learning SDR Console - The KISS Konsole is a software project to provide a straightforward, well-commented User Interface to Mercury and other modules.

• VNA - Vector Network Analyser - The VNA software project to provide a firmware, software VNA using HPSDR hardware.

HPSDR Radio Setup Examples

• A Basic HPSDR Transceiver in PANDORA provides another example of how a Pandora enclosure can be used for the amateur radio experimenter.

• A complete HPSDR transceiver in a Pandora Box provides an example of how to build a transceiver using HPSDR components in a Pandora enclosure, other available hardware and PowerSDR.

• A complete HPSDR transceiver provides an example of how to build your own transceiver using HPSDR components and other available hardware and software.

• The Antec P183 Solution an example of how to build your own transceiver using HPSDR components and other available hardware and software in a traditional a mid-tower PC enclosure.

• The Tokyo Hy-Power HL-45B Solution an example of how to add a commercial solid state 45 Watt Amplifier to your HPSDR rig.

• The Rino R-1 Solution a smaller PC case solution with an optical drive included.

• The Antec Minuet Solution the smallest PC case solution attempted so far.

Hardware Configuration Cautions

• Never Short a Penelope by AD9DP This short paper tells you why you should never operate Penelope into a shorted load.

• Using Penelope with a linear amplifier When using Penelope with a linear amplifier you need to ensure you use enough drive. This paper explains why.

HPSDR Performance Tests

The purpose of these pages are to establish HPSDR performance measurement process standards.

Receiver Performance Tests

• Mercury: Receiver Performance Tests
• PowerSDR, HPSDR, Flex AGC Tests
• Active Antennas and HPSDR: Antenna Performance Tests

Transmitter Performance Tests

• PennyWhistle: VNA Sweeps

Hardware Projects

Completed

Common

• ATLAS - Backplane - The Atlas is a passive backplane that all other modules plug into.

• LPU - Simple Linear Power Unit - The LPU unit takes power from a regulated power supply and steps it to the input needed by Atlas.

• METIS - (formerly called OzyII) - A high speed PC interface - High speed PC interface using Ethernet PHY.

• MERCURY - 0-65 MHz Direct Sampling Receiver - Perhaps the most exciting of all modules, Mercury will enable direct sampling of the 0-55 MHz spectrum.

• MAGISTER - USB 2.0 to Atlas Bus Interface - The Magister module is an alternative to OZY and METIS.

• PENNYLANE - Two stage Penelope - This is a two stage penelope based on changes made in the Hermes boards.

Primarily Mercury and Penelope related

• ANTENNA SWITCH - by NT-Electronics - An antenna switch for use with Penelope and Mercury when Alex is not used, also has optional low Noise RX Amplifier for 6 meters

Primarily Phoenix and Janus related

• JANUS - ADC/DAC Board - The Janus module is a very high performance, dual, full duplex, audio frequency A/D and D/A converter board.

Optional

• ALEXIARES - RF Preselector - Alexiares (or Alex for short) is a set of RF Bandpass filters for use with Mercury and Penelope or any other SDR. Alex also contain an RX/TX antenna switch.

• PANDORA - Enclosure - HPSDR enclosure.

• EXCALIBUR - Clock Reference board - A board to allow an external 10 MHz frequency reference interface.

• PINOCCHIO - Extender Card - Pinocchio is an extender card to allow measurements and troubleshooting of an active card in an ATLAS back-plane.

• HERCULES - By NT-Electronics - A 100 Watt amplifier designed to be compatible with current HPSDR hardware (Atlas, Penelope, Mercury, and Magister/Ozy).

• PENNYWHISTLE - 20 Watt RF Power Ampilfier - The PennyWhistle takes the RF output of Penelope and amplifies it to approximately 20 watts.

Completed but unavailable

• PENELOPE - Companion Exciter to Mercury - A 1/2 watt DUC(k).

• OZY - HPSDR Host Interface & Control - The OZY module is an FPGA based interface controller card providing input and output connections to the real world. Now replaced by the MAGISTER or METIS module - see above.

Future hardware

Hardware nearing completion

• HERMES - A DUC/DDC Transceiver - Merging the verilog code of Mercury and Penelope into a single FPGA, on a single board.

• APOLLO - 15W PA and Filter - A companion 15W PA and Low Pass Filter for Hermes.

• PHOENIX - QSD/QSE Receiver/Transmitter Module - QSD based HF Receiver, a QSE based HF Exciter and a supporting synthesizer.

Proposed hardware

• CYCLOPS - Spectrum Analyzer - Cyclops is a 0-6 GHz spectrum analyzer with tracking generator support.

• DEMETER - Power Supply - Power supply designed for HPSDR.

• GIBRALTAR - GPS-disciplined Frequency Standard - Gibraltar is a GPS-disciplined frequency standard board.

• ODYSSEY - Low Power Handheld SDR - Odyssey includes a low power SDR based on the QSD, QSE, and a dsPIC33 as the basic radio core.

• THOR - High Efficiency HF Power Amplifier - Thor is a high efficiency HF power amplifier using Envelope Elimination and Restoration (ERR) techniques.

• MUNIN - 100W HF Power Amplifier - Munin is a 100W HF power amplifier, This hardware is dependent on Alex filters.

• GRIFFIN - A Chirp-WSPR beacon board - This board is a stand alone beacon board.

Other proposed/future hardware

• ANICETUS (Anie) - Preselector - A few designs for narrow band preselectors.

• EPIMETHEUS - General Purpose I/O - Epi is a general purpose I/O board for the Atlas bus and includes relays, open collectors, IF switching, etc.

• HELIOS - Helios Small Transmitting Loop Antenna and Controller.

• HORTON - Receiver Module - A receiver module integrating the Janus ADC with a QSD on a board for a version of the HPSDR RX board.

• PROTEUS - Prototyping Board - This is the planned prototyping board.

• SASQUATCH - DSP back-end - The Sasquatch board is a hardware DSP back-end intended for use by constructors who would like to operate stand-alone rather than attached to a PC.

• GPSTCXO - GPSTCXO Based Design - Here is some reference material regarding a GPSTCXO Based design as an alternative timing standard for the HPSDR Platform.

ANCILLARY - Additional "stuff" of interest to HPSDR

Some stuff like Norton Amplifier, FPGA VHDL/Verilog ...