USBDAALBFER is a multi-purpose interface SATSAGEN compatible with driving external systems, like an SNA that accepts horizontal input with ~ 10Vpp for sweep operations. Moreover, this interface makes analog inputs available to enable triggers or connect Log Detectors. It can be connected to an ADF5355 board from Arduino code version 4.1 and SATSAGEN v. 0.6.0.3.
Some basics about the multi-purpose interface for SATSAGEN (Video) AD8317/AD8318 Log Detector devices interface for SATSAGEN (Video) ADF5355 Synthesizer board interface for SATSAGEN (Video)
Schematics
ADF5355 interface
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- ADF5355 board
- 5k trimmer
- 100NF capacitor
- 6 X 1K resistors
- 3 X 560 resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
LOG DETECTOR devices interface
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- AD831x LOG DETECTOR module (AD8317 and AD8318 supported)
- 5k trimmer
- 100NF capacitor
- 3 X 1K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
Triggers input interface
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- 5k trimmer
- 100NF capacitor
- 3 X 1K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
PWM D/A converter
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- Step-up module 5V to 15V
- LM358 or equivalent
- 1uF capacitor
- 1K, 4K7, 33K, and 47K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
D/A converter MCP4725 based
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- Step-up module 5V to 15V
- MCP4725 module
- LM358 or equivalent
- 10NF capacitor
- 1K, 4K7, 33K, and 91K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
Noise Source power switch
Simple version
Risk of damaging the Noise Source module! Do not use the XL6009-based step-up module for this application. The XL6009 can reach 50 Volts of unstabilized output in some input voltage conditions below 4 Volts. Use a traditional 28-volt stabilized power instead or an MT3608-based step-up module
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- Step-up module 5V to 29V MT3608-based
- 1K, 560, and 10K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
Noise source power switch
with a voltage control feature
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- Step-up module 5V to 28V MT3608-based
- 1K, 4k7, 28k, 33k, 47k, 100k, and a 180K resistors
- 5k trimmer
- 1uF, 47uF, and a 100uF capacitors
- NPN transistor, and a PNP transistor like 2N5551 and 2N5401
- Momentary switch NO
- LEDs
Schematic
VNA RF Switch
Components
- Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
- RF Switch module HMC536-based
- 1K, 47K resistors
- Momentary switch NO
- LED
Schematic
All schematics can be mixed into one interface (except PWM and MCP4725 D/A).
The below Arduino’s code latest release is suitable for all schematics.
Arduino Code
Latest release:
usbdaalbfer4.5.zip v.4.5 -Source Noise power voltage control feature Uncomment #define NSPVC line if you use this schematic to enable voltage control feature The MCP4725 library is required.
Older versions:
usbdaalbfer4.4.zip v.4.4
-Source Noise power driving
-VNA RF switch driving
The MCP4725 library is required.
usbdaalbfer4.2.zip v.4.2
-ADF5355 The library code was rewritten
-ADF5355 Resolution by 1Hz steps, XO correction
The MCP4725 library is required.
usbdaalbfer4.1.zip v.4.1 -ADF5355 support The MCP4725 library is required.
usbdaalbfer31.ino v.3.1
Allows these SATSAGEN operations:
-Analog trigger inputs
-Analog ramp output with PWM or a dedicated D/A chip if available
-Analog log detectors input
-And for future development: RF switches driving
The MCP4725 library is required.
usbdaalbfer2.ino v.2.0 This version can be used for the real-time triggers feature of SATSAGEN v.0.5.0.2!
usbdaalbfer.ino v.1.0