Difference between revisions of "MiniTioune"

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MiniTioune (also called Minituner) is a USB connected hardware project for receiving digital TV transmissions on the amateur radio or broadcast bands. When used with the Tutuione DVB-S receive and analysis software from F6DZP it can be used to receive DVB-S QPSK transmission from broadcast and amateur TV transmissions with symbol rates (SR) from 30 Msymbols down to 112Ksymbols per second.
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The MiniTioune receiver project, developed by Jean-Pierre F6DZP, consists of the home constructed MiniTiouner hardware which interfaces via a standard USB 2.0 port to a Windows PC running the MiniTioune software.
  
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The very wide symbol rate range means it is capable of receiving all amateur TV transmissions, including the Reduced Bandwidth (RB-TV) transmission below 1 Msymbol and the HamTV signals from the ISS.  Whilst the hardware is capable of receiving DVB-S2, the Minitioune system currently only receives DVB-S QPSK transmissions, but may receive other modes in the future with further PC software development.
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The MiniTiouner hardware can also be used with the BATC [[Ryde Introduction|Ryde set-top box receiver]] running on a Raspberry Pi4 or the Portsdown DATV transceiver, the Portsdwon receiver or OpenTuner software.
  
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When used with the Sharp or Samsung tuner or NIM component, frequency coverage is from 650 MHz through to 2600 MHz.  This extended frequency coverage gives greater flexibility when working with up converters from the VHF bands and enables the 10 GHz band, including Es'HailSat-2 down link, to be received on a standard domestic PLL LNB.
 
  
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=== Hardware ===
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[[File:Serit complete.jpg|300px]]
  
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The hardware consists of 3 major components – the Tuner or NIM, the USB interface and power supply components. 
 
  
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The extended range Sharp tuner and pre-programmed USB interface module and a blank PCB are available from the BATC on line shop https://batc.org.uk/shop/hardware-and-kits  – all other components are available from normal suppliers.   
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It will receive DVB-S QPSK and DVB-S2 QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, 32 APSK from broadcast and amateur TV transmissions with symbol rates (SR) from 30 Msymbols down to 66Ks Ksymbols per second.   
  
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=== Hardware Documentation ===
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It can be used to receive satellite broadcasts,  "normal" DATV signals and is the ONLY system capable of receiving [[Reduced bandwidth TV|Reduced Bandwidth (RB-TV)]] transmissions making it ideal for use on Es'hail-2 without any external frequency converters.
  
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A zip file containing circuit diagram, layout and build instructions can be downloaded [http://www.batc.org.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=433 from here].  Please note the “full kit” mentioned in documentation is no longer available.
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===Definitions===
  
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=== Software Downloads ===
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The following terms should be used when describing this project - note "MiniTiouner" is the French project name but maybe pronounced "Minituner" in English.
  
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Software is hosted on the VivaDATV forum.  You need a log-in to download, but here are the links:
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* '''MiniTioune''' = PC software
  
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The latest (4 September 2016) version of MiniTioune V0.4c: http://www.vivadatv.org/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=361
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* '''MiniTiouner''' = The complete project hardware with USB interface - this can be prefixed with the type of tuner eg "Sharp Minitiouner"
  
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Noise Power Measurement Software: http://www.vivadatv.org/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=365
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The BATC Portsdown DATV transceiver and BATC Ryde Set top Box Receiver also use the MiniTiouner hardware - more information on the BATC Ryde Receiver can be found here [[Ryde Introduction]]
  
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=== Software Installation ===
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===Specifications===
  
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The following areas are involved with the installation of drivers and Software for MiniTioune on Windows10 OS:
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* Frequency coverage = 143 > 2450MHz (covers amateurs bands and extended sateliite band without external converters)
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* Install the FT2232H USB driver for the MiniTiouner board
 
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* Inspect the FT2232H USB-controller module (preprogramed by BATC for NIMtuner) for correct internal memory programming
 
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* Install LAVfilters CODECs and test the HW board and test the DirectShow filters
 
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* Run the MiniTiouner_v0.4c executable & perhaps adjust the decoder filters being used.
 
  
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'''W6HHC''' - http://www.w6ze.org/DATV/InstallingMiniTiouner_onWin10.pdf
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* Symbol rate = 66ks > 30 Msymbols (suitable for RB-TV and satellite reception).
  
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=== Receive upconverters and filters===
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* Transmission modes = DVBS and DVBS2 all modulations from QPSK to 32 APSK
  
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As mentioned above, the tuner components (also called NIMs) used in MiniTioune only cover a maximum of 650 to 2600 MHz.  Whilst this is fine for the 23cms (1.3 GHz) and 13cms (2.3 GHz) amateur bands it does not provide coverage of 146 and 437 MHz where the majority of ATV operation takes place.  Therefore we need to use an upconverter in front of the tuner which converts 146 MHz and 437 MHz up to an L band frequency that the MiniTioune will receive.
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====Signal input level====
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The Serit 4334 NIM or tuner is designed to be used in a satellite receive system fed by an LNB on the dish with ~55dB of gain To compensate for this, MiniTiouner must always be used with external preamp followed by a satellite line amplifier when used to receive terrestrial signals.  
  
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A separate section on the wiki gives details of these upconverters.
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For more details see [[MiniTiouner Power Level Indication|this wiki page]]
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=== Hardware overview ===
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The MiniTiouner hardware has no surface mount components and requires medium level constructional skills.  BATC sells the hard to get components and the rest are available from normal suppliers. 
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Full details of the current version 2 MiniTiouner hardware and build information are [[MiniTiouner_hardware_Version_2|available here]] - new builders should start on this page.
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Details of the previous hardware versions [V1 using the Sharp and Eardtek NIMs and V1.2 using the adaptor board are [[Minitiouner Hardware|available here.]].
 +
 
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In CQ-TV269, Dave G8GKQ wrote Replacing a Sharp Tuner with a Serit' - which upgrades a V1 to a V2 Minitiouner with a flat form factor. This uses the schematic of the  [[MiniTiouner_hardware_Version_1|NIM adaptor board for reference.]]
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=== Software ===
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Full details of the MiniTioune software which is free to download and designed to be used with the MiniTiouner hardware are available here [[MiniTioune software]].
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[[File:20160507 Walbury GW8VPG.jpg|400px]]
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ZR6TG has developed Windows software to run on the same hardware as the MiniTiouner software.  See this wiki page for more details [[OpenTuner]]
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===Band Pass filters===
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There is a whole section of the wiki dedicated to this most important part of your system - [[Filters|take a look at the pictures on the top of this page]] to see why you must use filters before your MiniTiouner!
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=== Receive upconverters ===
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The Serit tuner currently on sale in the shop covers 143 - 2450 MHz and does not require any external frequency converters.
 +
 
 +
However, the original Sharp and Eardatek tuner components (also called NIM) used in MiniTiouner cover a maximum of 650 to 2600 MHz.  This covers the 23cms (1.3 GHz) and 13cms (2.3 GHz) amateur bands it does not provide coverage of 146 (2mts) and 437 MHz (70cms) where the majority of ATV operation takes place.  Therefore we need to use an upconverter in front of the tuner which converts 146 MHz and 437 MHz up to an L band frequency that the MiniTiouner will receive.
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[[Receiver upconverters|A separate section on the wiki gives details of these upconverters.]]

Latest revision as of 14:42, 12 March 2024

The MiniTioune receiver project, developed by Jean-Pierre F6DZP, consists of the home constructed MiniTiouner hardware which interfaces via a standard USB 2.0 port to a Windows PC running the MiniTioune software.

The MiniTiouner hardware can also be used with the BATC Ryde set-top box receiver running on a Raspberry Pi4 or the Portsdown DATV transceiver, the Portsdwon receiver or OpenTuner software.


Serit complete.jpg


It will receive DVB-S QPSK and DVB-S2 QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, 32 APSK from broadcast and amateur TV transmissions with symbol rates (SR) from 30 Msymbols down to 66Ks Ksymbols per second.

It can be used to receive satellite broadcasts, "normal" DATV signals and is the ONLY system capable of receiving Reduced Bandwidth (RB-TV) transmissions making it ideal for use on Es'hail-2 without any external frequency converters.

Definitions

The following terms should be used when describing this project - note "MiniTiouner" is the French project name but maybe pronounced "Minituner" in English.

  • MiniTioune = PC software
  • MiniTiouner = The complete project hardware with USB interface - this can be prefixed with the type of tuner eg "Sharp Minitiouner"

The BATC Portsdown DATV transceiver and BATC Ryde Set top Box Receiver also use the MiniTiouner hardware - more information on the BATC Ryde Receiver can be found here Ryde Introduction

Specifications

  • Frequency coverage = 143 > 2450MHz (covers amateurs bands and extended sateliite band without external converters)
  • Symbol rate = 66ks > 30 Msymbols (suitable for RB-TV and satellite reception).
  • Transmission modes = DVBS and DVBS2 all modulations from QPSK to 32 APSK

Signal input level

The Serit 4334 NIM or tuner is designed to be used in a satellite receive system fed by an LNB on the dish with ~55dB of gain To compensate for this, MiniTiouner must always be used with external preamp followed by a satellite line amplifier when used to receive terrestrial signals.

For more details see this wiki page

Hardware overview

The MiniTiouner hardware has no surface mount components and requires medium level constructional skills. BATC sells the hard to get components and the rest are available from normal suppliers.

Full details of the current version 2 MiniTiouner hardware and build information are available here - new builders should start on this page.

Details of the previous hardware versions [V1 using the Sharp and Eardtek NIMs and V1.2 using the adaptor board are available here..

In CQ-TV269, Dave G8GKQ wrote Replacing a Sharp Tuner with a Serit' - which upgrades a V1 to a V2 Minitiouner with a flat form factor. This uses the schematic of the NIM adaptor board for reference.

Software

Full details of the MiniTioune software which is free to download and designed to be used with the MiniTiouner hardware are available here MiniTioune software.

20160507 Walbury GW8VPG.jpg

ZR6TG has developed Windows software to run on the same hardware as the MiniTiouner software. See this wiki page for more details OpenTuner

Band Pass filters

There is a whole section of the wiki dedicated to this most important part of your system - take a look at the pictures on the top of this page to see why you must use filters before your MiniTiouner!

Receive upconverters

The Serit tuner currently on sale in the shop covers 143 - 2450 MHz and does not require any external frequency converters.

However, the original Sharp and Eardatek tuner components (also called NIM) used in MiniTiouner cover a maximum of 650 to 2600 MHz. This covers the 23cms (1.3 GHz) and 13cms (2.3 GHz) amateur bands it does not provide coverage of 146 (2mts) and 437 MHz (70cms) where the majority of ATV operation takes place. Therefore we need to use an upconverter in front of the tuner which converts 146 MHz and 437 MHz up to an L band frequency that the MiniTiouner will receive.

A separate section on the wiki gives details of these upconverters.

Retrieved from ‘https://wiki.batc.org.uk/index.php?title=MiniTioune&oldid=10806’