Using LimeSDR with Portsdown - Revision history

G8GKQ: /* Basic Test */

2021-10-20T09:06:20Z

Basic Test

G8GKQ: /* Lime Configuration Menu */

2021-10-20T09:03:35Z

Lime Configuration Menu

G8GKQ: /* Lime Configuration Menu */

2021-10-20T09:03:06Z

Lime Configuration Menu

G8GKQ: /* Installing the Lime Software */

2021-10-20T08:59:33Z

Installing the Lime Software

G8GKQ: /* Hardware Installation */

2021-10-20T08:53:44Z

Hardware Installation

M0DHP: /* Hardware Installation */

2021-10-20T07:53:49Z

Hardware Installation

G8GTZ: /* BATC Shop LimeSDR Minis */

2021-07-02T10:10:22Z

BATC Shop LimeSDR Minis

G8GTZ: /* Introduction */

2021-07-02T10:09:59Z

Introduction

G8GTZ: /* Introduction */

2021-07-02T10:09:41Z

Introduction

G8GKQ: /* Introduction */

2020-01-06T10:49:51Z

Introduction

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 ===Basic Test===
-You can run a basic test on your LimeSDR Mini, by pressing the "Lime Report" button.  Note that this test generates RF output and leaves the LimeSDR Mini generating a carrier on 1095 MHz at about -25 dBm.
+You can run a basic test on your LimeSDR Mini, by pressing the "Lime Report" button.  Note that this test generates RF output and leaves the LimeSDR Mini generating a carrier on 1095 MHz at about -25 dBm.  This test rarely passes unless the LimeSDR Mini is cold and the RF ports are disconnected.  A functional test (transmitting, or receiving using BandViewer) is a better indication of LimeSDR Mini health.
 ==='''WARNING - High Power Output During Calibration Before Transmit'''===

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 The "Update Lime FW" button updates the Lime SDR firmware and gateware to the appropriate version for the installed LimeSuite.  For recent Portsdown software versions, the correct version is shown below.  You should see the same screen after selecting "Lime FW Info".
-[[File:lime130.jpg|400px]]
+[[File:Lime130.jpg|400px]]
 The Lime firmware/gateware version that works with the Portsdown is also compatible with DATV Express versions V1.25lp12 and later.

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 The "Lime Config" Menu is selected from Menu 3.  Selecting "LimeUtil Info" displays the current version of LimeSuite.
-The "Update Lime FW" button updates the Lime SDR firmware and gateware to the appropriate version for the installed LimeSuite.  For Portsdown software versions 201903250 and later, the correct version is shown below.  You should see the same screen after selecting "Lime FW Info".
+The "Update Lime FW" button updates the Lime SDR firmware and gateware to the appropriate version for the installed LimeSuite.  For recent Portsdown software versions, the correct version is shown below.  You should see the same screen after selecting "Lime FW Info".
-[[File:lime129.jpg|400px]]
+[[File:lime130.jpg|400px]]
 The Lime firmware/gateware version that works with the Portsdown is also compatible with DATV Express versions V1.25lp12 and later.

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 ===Installing the Lime Software===
-The LimeSuite software version 19.01.0 (Interface version v2019.1.0, Binary Interface 19.01-1) is loaded as part of the normal Portsdown build and update process.  This may not be the latest version, but is compatible with other components of the Portsdown software and the latest DATV Express version.
+The LimeSuite software version 20.10.0 (Interface version v2021.10.0, Binary Interface 20.10-1) is loaded as part of the normal Portsdown build and update process.  This may not be the latest version, but is compatible with other components of the Portsdown software and the latest DATV Express version.
-Once installed, you can use your Portsdown to update the firmware and gateware on your LimeSDR (Mini or USB) to the compatible version, but you must be connected to the internet whilst upgrading.  If you have attempted to upgrade a LimeSDR while not connected to the internet, you need to delete the 0 byte file that will have been created before you can successfully upgrade.  The "Del Lime FW on RPi" button on the Lime Configuration menu does this.
+Once installed, you can use your Portsdown to update the firmware and gateware on your LimeSDR (Mini or USB) to the compatible version, but you must be connected to the internet whilst upgrading a LimeSDR USB.  The firmware to upgrade a LimeSDR Mini is stored on the Portsdown as part of the Portsdown build process.
 ===Lime Configuration Menu===

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 If you are using a Rapsberry Pi 3, both the LimeSDR Mini and USB versions have a greater power consumption than the RPi can comfortably power from its USB 2 ports.  Therefore, it is recommended that a powered USB 2 hub be connected to the RPi, and the LimeSDR be plugged into one of the ports on the hub.
-If you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, its USB 3 ports have enough power to supply a LimeSDR Mini or USB, so a hub is not required.  Make sure you connect the LimeSDR to one of the blue USB 3 ports.
+If you are using a Raspberry Pi 4, its USB ports have enough power to supply a LimeSDR Mini or USB, so a hub is not required.  For some reason, the LimeSDR Mini sometimes works better when connected to the USB2 ports (the black ones, not the Blue ones).
 The USB plug on the LimeSDR Mini is vulnerable to mechanical stress; it is recommended that the LimeSDR Mini (or LimeSDR USB) be mounted in a protective box with strain relief for a USB lead.  One possible mechanical configuration is illustrated below.  There are number of 3D printed cases which can be used to protect the unit [https://forum.batc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5813&p=17948#p17919 see the thread on the members forum] for more details.
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 Charles, G4GUO, has found the LimeSDR Mini fits in to a Hammond 1455C802 box - see http://g4guo.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-lime-mini-has-box.html for more details but the USB connector may still need additional support.
-The BATC 4-band and 8-band PTT drive and RF switching boards can be used with the Lime to provide band switching - see below for details on the GPIO port connections.
+The BATC 4-band and 8-band PTT drive and RF switching boards can be used with the Lime to provide band switching - see below for details on the GPIO port connections.  When using the 8-band switch, make sure to use the latest version with the attenuating resistors between the MMIC and the switch ICs.
 ===Installing the Lime Software===

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:10, 2 July 2021
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	The Lime firmware/gateware version that works with the Portsdown is also compatible with DATV Express versions V1.25lp12 and later.		The Lime firmware/gateware version that works with the Portsdown is also compatible with DATV Express versions V1.25lp12 and later.
−
−	~~===BATC Shop LimeSDR Minis===~~
−
−	The LimeSDR Minis purchased from the BATC shop are hardware version 1.2. Those purchased before 14 January 2019 will have firmware 1.26 loaded. Those purchased after 14 January 2019 will have the latest firmware at the time of sale loaded.
−
−	If you do not use the correct firmware, the transmitted spectrum will not be as clean. If you are unable to upgrade due to apparent problems with the Portsdown/LimeSDR combination, please report the details on the BATC forum.
−
−	Note that if you use a Windows PC or a different Linux build to upgrade the firmware to beyond 1.29, you can roll it back to the correct version for the Portsdown by selecting "Force Lime FW" on the touchscreen menu.

	===Using a LimeSDR USB===		===Using a LimeSDR USB===

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 ===Introduction===
-The Portsdown 2019 software supports the LimeSDR Mini.  Support for the LimeSDR USB is provided on a best-efforts basis, but not tested.
+The Portsdown software supports the LimeSDR Mini.  Support for the LimeSDR USB is provided on a best-efforts basis, but not tested.
 However, due to the limited CPU power of the Raspberry Pi, many LimeSDR transmit modes are limited to 1MS and below.

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 The Portsdown 2019 software supports the LimeSDR Mini.  Support for the LimeSDR USB is provided on a best-efforts basis, but not tested.
-With the Portsdown Filter Modulator board being discontinued, the LimeSDR Mini will become the standard modulator for use with the Portsdown system and is available for purchase from Mouser UK or CrowdSupply.  More details on the LimeSDR Mini can be found here [[LimeSDR Mini Information]].
+However, due to the limited CPU power of the Raspberry Pi, many LimeSDR transmit modes are limited to 1MS and below.
 ===Setting up the system===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ===Introduction===
-The Portsdown 2019 software supports the LimeSDR Mini and the LimeSDR USB.
+The Portsdown 2019 software supports the LimeSDR Mini.  Support for the LimeSDR USB is provided on a best-efforts basis, but not tested.
-With the Portsdown Filter Modulator board being discontinued, the LimeSDR Mini will become the standard modulator for use with the Portsdown system and is available for purchase in the BATC members shop.  More details on the LimeSDR Mini can be found here [[LimeSDR Mini Information]].
+With the Portsdown Filter Modulator board being discontinued, the LimeSDR Mini will become the standard modulator for use with the Portsdown system and is available for purchase from Mouser UK or CrowdSupply.  More details on the LimeSDR Mini can be found here [[LimeSDR Mini Information]].
-The LimeSDR Mini is slightly more expensive than the Portsdown Filter Modulator board but does not require the use of a separate ADF4351 Local Oscillator module and a Local Oscillator filter board.  Note - the LimeSDR Mini is available from the BATC members shop at a slightly discounted price compared to the normal retail price from the US plus shipping and 22% import duty charges.
+The LimeSDR Mini is slightly more expensive than the Portsdown Filter Modulator board but does not require the use of a separate ADF4351 Local Oscillator module and a Local Oscillator filter board.
 However, due to the limited CPU power of the Raspberry Pi, many LimeSDR transmit modes are limited to 1MS and below.  For higher SRs, use of the Portsdown Filter-modulator board is recommended. (see limitations below).