MiniTiouner hardware Version 2
The Minitiouner hardware is designed for easy home construction, uses only leaded components and consists of the 3 main components.
Whilst the project has previously used several tuner types and a version 1 PCB and adapter cards, new builders should only use the version 2 PCB described on this page along with a Serit tuner described here and available from the BATC shop.
If you already have version 1 MiniTiouner, then you probably don't need one unless you want a smaller board. (NOTE:The version 2 PCB ONLY takes the Serit tuner and you may be better off with the Serit adapter board).
NOTE - due to different pinouts the previously available Sharp and Eardetek NIMs will NOT work with this board
To build the unit you only need to buy the following and then download the free MiniTioune software.
- The USB interface is available ready programmed from the MiniTiouner category in the BATC shop.
- The version 2 main PCB is available from the MiniTiouner category in the BATC shop.
- The Serit tuner or NIM covering 143 - 2450 MHz is available from the MiniTiouner category in the BATC shop.
- The unit uses an adjustable MCP1826 as the 1v regulator, which can be hard to find and is available from the MiniTiouner category in the BATC shop.
All other components such as Rs, Cs and 5v buck regulator are available from normal suppliers - see the parts list further down this page.
Building the Version 2 MiniTiouner PCB
The PCB has been developed to fit snuggly inside a Hammond 1455 series 103x120x53mm enclosure and uses standard leaded components so no specialist techniques needed.
Parts list and schematic
The parts list and schematic can be downloaded here:
Note the 22uF electrolytic capacitors on the regulators are High ESR types chosen to minimise oscillation - substitute at your peril! Ceramics can be used instead but through hole 22uF ceramics are expensive.
The small regulator module is available from ebay - search for "MP1584 step down buck regulator".
The blank PCB, tuner, USB module and 1 volt regulator are available from the BATC shop
Setting up the hardware
The design uses a MP1584 buck converter step down module to reduce the input, which can be in the range 6-20V down to 4V. Using a switching converter significantly reduces the generated heat. Optionally a 3.7-5.5V supply can be used instead, bypassing the converter Three low drop out linear voltage regulators are used to regulate the digital 3.3V and 1.2V and analogue 3.3V supply rails. Linear regulators and extensive filtering are used to ensure low noise for maximum RF performance.
There is not much to set up but before connecting the DC-DC converter to the input of the linear regulators, the output MUST be set to 3.7-4v output. This is because these LDO regulators can only handle a maximum of 6V input. There is a zener to provide some protection but damage is still possible and worst case you could end up with whatever is on the input appearing at the output - i.e. 5.6V on the 3.3V and 1.2V rails.
Mike, G0MJW, has written some instructions on building and testing the board - download them here File:Notes on building the BATC v2 Minitiouner.pdf
There are two options, one is to set the correct converter voltage before its installed on the PCB. The other is to remember not to fit the jumper JP2, ALT 4V that connects it to the regulators and set it up in commissioning.
We recommend that you build and then test all the voltage rails BEFORE fitting the NIM. This is easy as you can probe the top of the RFCs to measure them.
If you don't use the DC-DC converter and run directly off an external 5V (DO NOT connect a higher voltage) supply to JP2, you may need to heatsink the regulators. With the DC-DC converter, the copper area on the board seems to be adequate as a heatsink.
Testing and using the MiniTiouner for the first time
Once you are satisfied the voltage levels are correct and there is no smoke, you need to run the MiniTioune software.
Full details including how to set up the software, drivers and decoders is on the MiniTioune software page.
On the air
Apart from the the version 1 PCB with adaptor card, this version 2 PCB with Serit tuner is the only available solution to receive and decode DVB-S2 reduced bandwidth modes - this picture shows G0MJW receiving G8GTZ/P 1920*1080 HD pictures on 146 MHz using 32 APSK (approximately 1.3 mbit/s in 550 KHz bandwidth).
