Difference between revisions of "Portsdown 4 LimeRFE Integration"

From BATC Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 21: Line 21:
 
===Hardware Versions===
 
===Hardware Versions===
  
Note that the stock LimeRFE firmware always reports Hardware Version 1.6, even for Version 0.3 (early prototype) hardware.  The Version 0.3 model cane be modified to report correctly (which is required for proper Portsdown Operation) by amending one line of the Arduino sketch.
+
Note that the stock LimeRFE firmware always reports Hardware Version 1.6, even for Version 0.3 (early prototype) hardware.  The Version 0.3 model can be modified to report correctly (which is required for proper Portsdown Operation with prototype hardware) by amending one line of the LimeRFE Arduino sketch.

Latest revision as of 12:58, 5 May 2022

The LimeRFE is a multiband preamp and PA unit with switched filters specifically designed to be used with the LimeSDR. It can provide a useful output of 0.5 to 1W or so of DATV on all bands from 71 MHz to 2.4 GHz and slightly reduced output on 3.4 GHz. Full details are here: https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limerfe.

Limerfe.jpg

The LimeRFE can be controlled from a Portsdown 4 over USB.

Configuration

Configuration data for the LimeRFE is stored for each Portsdown Band. The parameters that are configured are:

  • LimeRFE Enabled/Disabled
  • LimeRFE transmit Output Port (TX/RX (1), TX (2) or HF (3))
  • LimeRFE receive attenuator setting (0 - 14 dB in 2 dB steps)

The Enable/disable and attenuator setting can be set for the current band from the Lime Configuration Menu. To select the TX output port, use the "Set Band Details" Menu.

Menu37.png

A button is also available on the Lime Configuration Menu to change the LimeRFE to TX mode and back to RX mode to enable easy testing.

Hardware Versions

Note that the stock LimeRFE firmware always reports Hardware Version 1.6, even for Version 0.3 (early prototype) hardware. The Version 0.3 model can be modified to report correctly (which is required for proper Portsdown Operation with prototype hardware) by amending one line of the LimeRFE Arduino sketch.