DSP-10
Project
July 2006: New - Version
3.80 of Software!
The Precise-Time Release - See Below
The DSP-10 is an amateur-radio, software-defined 2-meter transceiver that can be built at home. It operates not only on SSB, FM and CW, but also on four Weak-Signal modes. Features are tailored to operation on VHF, UHF and Microwave frequencies.
A three-part article by Bob Larkin, W7PUA, published in QST magazine for September, October and November of 1999 describes the project. Copies of the article can be downloaded from the ARRL Web site. The transceiver hardware consists of a single PC board for the RF parts and an Analog Devices EZ-Kit Lite demo board for the I-F and audio processing. This is all controlled by any PC through a serial port. All programs are available as 'Free Software.'
On the right is W7LHL's DSP-10 setup. He uses a laptop to control the transceiver. All DSP-10 hardware is inside the die-cast aluminum box. As shown here, Ernie is using a 1296 MHz transverter to receive the NU7Z beacon.
The transceiver is very useful on
2-meters as a standard radio and has a number of interesting
features. But, this was not the motivating force behind the
project. There is a great untapped potential for weak-signal
QSO's if the proper processing is used. The DSP-10 software is a
start towards achieving this goal. It makes a number of tools
available to the experimenter interested in this area. 
An article discussing these
potentials (PDF 231K) was published for the 10th EME Conference,
held in Prague in 2002.
The transceiver
is low power, about 20
milliwatts, but there is provision for adding an 8-Watt amplifier
(see below). However, the low power can be ideal for use with
transverters, since most of these use attenuators to throw away
the higher power anyway.
Version
3.80 of the PC program is now
available for download.
This replaces earlier versions and adds new capabilities
(over version 3.50) including, primarily:
RS-232 GPS Switch
Box
If you want to have the fully automatic time setting
available with version 3.80, this add-on is the solution. Johan, KC7WW
and Jimmy,
W7CQ, have collaborated to design an
RS-232 Switch. This little box goes into the serial line between the
DSP-10 hardware and the PC. A separate 9-pin connector then goes to the
GPS to
allow the radio to set precise time and to determine the station
location. Up to two additional connectors can be added for future
expansion. Revision 3.80 software is setup to control the switch box
through the serial link.
Complete information on the switch box is available for download from Jimmy's web site. No PC boards are being offered, but the design files are ready-to-go.
DSP-10 User's
Manual
As of Version 3.80, the User's Manual
is up-to-date, has many improved sections and added reference
material. KD7TS has spent a huge amount of time on this and taken
the wild collection of notes and emails and turned them into a
carefully linked book arranged in good order. This manual is not
only instructions for operating the radio, but study of the material
will give insights to how it all works. Details such as the
configuration file setup are now covered in detail. The manual is available
on-line from Mike's web site. Check this out; it is a
fine aid for the project!
DSP-10 Command
Summary
Jimmy, W7CQ has carefully checked the Command
Summary. It fits neatly on two letter-size pages and makes a great way
to find the commands you can't remember! Fully up-to-date for Version
3.80, it is available
for download from Jimmy's web site as a PDF file and suitable for
printing.
As of March 2003 kits are again being sold. Details are available at TAPR web site. Part kits for the DSP-10 RF board are of great value to those putting the project together. Our thanks to Steve, N7HPR, and and the other volunteers at TAPR for taking on this project!
DSP-10 FEATURES
If you
are
new to the DSP-10 transceiver, you should look at the original
magazine articles, and at the User's Manual. But, if you want the
quick tour, here is a summary:
In addition there are four weak-signal modes fully integrated between the hardware and software, as follows:
EME-2 Mode - Automated transmit/receive timing and Doppler correction for self-echoes on EME. Two trace spectral display provides any amount of power integration of signal and noise powers allowing echoes to be seen 30 dB below the audible levels.
LHL-7 -
Seven-tone FSK mode for communications that does not require
precision frequency control. Automated transmit and receive of
signals too weak for audible copy, but still visible on the
waterfall display. This mode is EME compatible and can be Doppler
corrected. 
PUA-43 Mode
uses forty-three tone FSK with adaptable "very long-term
integration." This mode provides automated transmit and
receive for communication by terrestrial or EME paths, allowing
an extreme ability to trade-off of data rate against signal
strength. "Message Estimation" is used to always show
the most-likely message along with a second alternative. The
character color is indicative of the confidence level for each
symbol.
No low-signal threshold effects occur
with PUA43; there are no fundamental limits to the sensitivity
available. The mode trades off sensitivity for speed as desired.
To the right is
a sample of EME reception of the PUA43 mode. Note that no signal
is visible on the spectral waterfall, yet copy is 100%. Click on
the photo to make it full-sized.
LTI Mode - This stands for Long-Term Integration (the same as averaging). Although called a "mode" in the operation of the DSP-10, this is really a measurement tool. Transmission is essentially the same as CW. Reception uses the same weak-signal noise averaging as EME-2 and PUA43 to extract spectral traces on extremely-weak signals, limited only by one's patience! Overnight tests show -185 dBm signals with well defined traces (that's a little over 0.0001 microvolts!). The display allows one to actually measure these signal levels to within a dB or two. This has been a useful and fun tool for exploring propagation paths. Like the other modes, it can be operated with EME Doppler corrections.
DSP-10 Hardware requirements: Full utilization of these weak signal modes requires a frequency stability of about 1 Hz at the operating frequency (it may not be 2-meters because of external transverters). The programs work with any PC with DOS, a serial port and VGA graphics. No math coprocessor is required, but it speeds some operations quite a bit. These modes require the RF hardware of the DSP-10. Some limited receiving functions are available with the Audio Processor option described below.
Examples of Weak-Signal Mode Operation
What can be done with the DSP-10 using these programs? Basically these are a set of tools that are being made available to anyone that wants to do serious weak-signal experiments. The package allows QSO's with stations that are much too weak for conventional modes. This opens many interesting possibilities for contacts. Here is a sampling of some early work:
Propagation Studies -Here
is an example of results from data collected at 10 GHz by KD7TS and
W7PUA. Doppler and strength is studied over a period of weeks on a
difficult path.E-Mail Reflector for the DSP-10
Thanks to Beb, W7SLB and Al, K3TKJ, we have an email reflector to distribute information on the DSP-10 transceiver project. The reflector is on mailman.qth.net and will cover all aspects of this project. You can send an email to the reflector, after you are a subscriber. This will then be sent to all of the other subscribers. This will give a way for all those interested in the project to share their questions, answers and experiences, quickly and informally.
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to read the archives, go to the qth.net Web Site. Select "DSP-10" as the mailing list.
8-Watt "Brickette" Amplifier
This 2-meter amplifier, specifically for the DSP-10, raises the transmit power. Full details are in the June 2000 QST magazine article. Finished PC boards are no longer available. Files for making boards are available in ExpressPCB format thanks to KD7TS, and also in Gerber format. Those wanting to purchase prototype quantities of boards (check the email reflector, first---someone may have some) can use these files, or you can use them to alter the design! This was the amplifier used by W7PUA for the 5-Watt EME-2 self-echo test mentioned above. Who is going to be the first to do a Brickette-to-Brickette EME contact? No part kits are presently available, but maybe someone would like to take on this project? (Updated 12 Nov 05)
Hardware, Software and Information
Be sure to check Part Buying Information. for updates.
PART KITS: As was noted above, information on kits is available from TAPR web site.
PC BOARDS: You can Order PC Boards from Mashell Electric (W7SLB.) The boards are double-sided with plated-through holes. They have a solder mask and silk screen legends on both sides. Included is a set of drawings. See the Web link for more details.
Assembly Notes, Rev 4.5, are available for the hardware. Revision information at the bottom of the Assembly Notes indicates all changes. Note: Rev 4.5 has new board assembly information.
Steve Bible, N7HPR, has written an excellent Assembly Manual that should be of great help with the board assembly.
AUTOMATIC REFERENCE OSCILLATOR
SWITCHING from WW2R. Dave has designed a neat
circuit to allow the signal from an external 10 MHz reference
oscillator to disable an internal oscillator (off the DSP-10
board), and connect in the external reference. Full construction
details are available on the WW2R Web site.
Beb, W7SLB has posted photos at his DSP-10 Picture Gallery. You will notice some interesting variations in the way Beb put the transceiver into the box. Additinally, Beb also has a collection of DSP-10 user pictures and would greatly appreciate more photos. Anything will do, but it is especially fun to see the people! Photos of the assembly process can be good, too.
DSPx+KDSP10 and the EZKit - The
cost of the EZKit Lite has become a problem since the DSP-10 project
was first published. Fortunately, Lyle Johnson, KK7P, in cooperation
with TAPR has produced a fine substitute. As shown on the left, it
consists of a commercially assembled,
very small, 2185 DSP board, with flash memory and a good CODEC, called
the DSPx.
This board plugs into an interface board, the
KDSP10
that comes as a kit. The total assembly
replaces the functions of the EZKit and provides higher performance in
most areas.
Both boards, as well as DSP-10 kits, are available
from
TAPR
Present plans are to require the DSPx for future DSP software, as the
EZKit has about run out of "real time." The 2+ increase in capability
of the DSPx solves this problem and has improved CODEC performance, as
a bonus (Nov 2005).
PC
Program - Version 3.80,
the latest PC program UHFA.EXE
for the PC, is available for
download
(uhfa380.zip 13 July 06). It serves as the front panel
and control for the DSP-10 radio. Be sure that the DSP program, UHF3 or
UHF3X is version 3.0 or later.
Command Summary Sheets -
Jimmy, W7CQ, has assembled an excellent summary of the
DSP-10 keyboard commands. This is up-to-date for version 3.80 of UHFA
and comes in PDF format, ready to print on two pages.
Download
the Command Summary.
from Jimmy's web site. (12 July 06)
DSP
Program - This downloadable
UHF3.EXE
(uhf3ez32.zip 30k) version 3.2 of the DSP program
is suitable for loading into the ADI monitor, or on top of the
EPROM version of UHF3 (Rev 3.2 is latest). This DSP program,
running in the ADSP-2181 serves as the second I-F and audio porrtions
of the DSP-10 radio. Note that this is not a DOS
executable, but rather an EZ-Kit Lite program. It needs to be
loaded by a loader, as noted in the User's Manual. (19Nov05)
DSP
Program for DSPx and KDSP10 - This downloadable
UHF3.EXE
(uhf3x_30.zip 31k) version 3.0 of the DSP program
is suitable for loading into the KK7P DSPx and KDSP10 combination.
This DSP program,
running on the ADSP-2185 serves as the second I-F and audio portions
of the DSP-10 radio. Note that this .EXE is not a DOS
executable, but rather a DSP program. It needs to be
loaded by a loader program, running at 9600 baud, such as EZFAST.COM.
Version 3.0 of UHF3X.EXE has reversed the L and R DAC outputs, relative
to version 2.5 that was available from this page, earlier. The current
version should be totally compatible with all KDSP10 to DSP-10
schematics. In a few cases, this may require reversal of the wires at
C218 and C219. Note: v3.0 for the DSPx is the same as v3.2 for the
EZ-Kit.
(12Nov05)
Ver 3.2 DSP
Hex Code: This is the Intel Hex file for a version of the DSP
program UHF3.EXE (ver 3.2) that also includes a monitor program
for the EZKIT-Lite. It will run the DSP-10 at startup, but will
also respond to a monitor wakeup call. Details are in the text
file that comes with the Intel Hex file. This file is ready to
program an 27C512 EPROM that can then be plugged into the
EZKIT-Lite, replacing the PROM that came with the board. Download
the zipped
file here
(uhf3hx30.zip 40k). (19Nov05)
Ver 3.0 DSP
HEX for DSPx Flash: This is the
Intel
Hex file for DSPx Flash
to run version 3.0 of the DSP program UHF3. Details
of the loading procedure are on
the KK7P Flash Utility page. A few notes are zipped with the hex
file.
This will allow running the DSP-10 at startup, using the DSPx.
(12Nov05)
DSPx Flash Monitor Loading
Program - BETA VERSION: This is a
Intel
Hex loader for DSPx Flash Memory, Bank 0
that automates commands to FLASHUTL (discussed just above) to load a
new monitor version to bank 0. This ZIP file includes
a text file with details on the operation, a DOS batch file to minimize
the typing, and three PC programs run by the batch file. This is
intended to replace the manual procedure that is fully spelled out for
the program FLASHUTL.
This is Beta Test software, believed to be non-harmful to the flash
memory, and used by Jimmy, W7CQ, and by myself (W7PUA) to re-write Bank
0. Use it if you are comfortable with this concept! Please
report both bugs and successes to W7PUA listed at the bottom of this
page. Many thanks to Jimmy and Lyle KK7P for much assistance with this
aid.
(Added 4 Dec 05)
DSPx Flash Loading Program -
BETA VERSION: This is a
Intel
Hex loader for DSPx Flash Memory Bank 1
that automates commands to FLASHUTL (above). This will allow
running the DSP-10 at startup, using the DSPx. The ZIP file includes
details on the operation, along with a DOS batch file to minimize the
typing.
This is Beta Test software, believed to be non-harmful to the flash
memory, but
not yet fully tested. Use it if you are comfortable with this concept!
Please
report both bugs and successes to W7PUA listed at the bottom of this
page.
(Updated 17 Dec 05 Removed the Trace file. A new one will come when the
programs are run.)
EZFAST Shareware: For loading the EZ-Kit with the DSP program, you can use the Windows loader provided by Analog Devices. Much faster is Dwight Elvey's shareware EZFAST.COM, but you must have the current Ver 1.03. It is available for download. Be sure to study the EZFAST.DOC readme file that is with it (it is a pure text document, not Word).
DSP-10 DSP Interface To assist those "talking" with the DSP unit, there is now a summary of the interface. This has all the commands and the status definitions and is here for download (20K text).
PUA43 SPEC To define the PUA43 mode, there is now a specification available for download (6K zipped).
Ver 3.50 PC Source Code and Ver 3.2
DSP Source Code:
You can download the 'Free Software' for the
PC software (Borland ver 4.0 or 4.5 C)
(217K zipped) and the
DSP software source (117K
Zipped).
This second item is written in Analog Devices assembly language and
can be assembled into UHF3.EXE, Rev 3.2 with the tools supplied
with the EZ-Kit. This allows changes and additions to the DSP software,
and is NOT required to just operate the DSP-10. Revision 3.80 Source
code is in the works.(12 July 06)
SENDDOLR DSP-10 to Monitor:
This is an PC DOS program to support loading of a new version of
UHF3.EXE on top
of an EPROM version of UHF3.EXE. Details are in a text file that is
zipped
with the executable. This is version 1.2 and seems to always catch the
DSP-10,
while version 1.1 did not!
Download SENDDOLR here.
(19Nov05)
PCB Gerber Files
For those that want to make a PCB, these
Gerber Files
are the complete information. If you are not familiar with the use of
Gerber files, this may not be for you! I cannot support this, beyond
making the files available, and there are no guarantees! Note that
finished PCB are still available from W7SLB, as listed above. Also, be
sure that you are going to be able to acquire all the needed parts
before proceeding with a bare board.
(13MarNov08)
Latest Information for Builders
Assembly Manual - Steve Bible, N7HPR, has written an excellent Assembly Manual that should be of great help with the board assembly. Many thanks to Steve for all his efforts.
Corrections:
1 - The connections on the EZ-Kit to P3, Pin 31 and P3, Pin 32
are backwards. A corrected portion of QST Fig 11 shows the change. It
also reflects on QST Fig 10, but no
wiring is
changed. (16 Nov 99)
2 - R49 in the schematic and the part information should be 47K
(not 1.8K.) (16 Nov 99)
3 - R21 should be 10K (not 100K); this causes the gain to be 20
dB too high. (1 Dec 99)
4 - R108 should be 4.7K Ohms (not 470). Some combinations of U107
and U104 have been found to have the data line at U104 switching
too early. These are cascaded shift registers and the timing is
quite close. The R108 resistor change slows down the data line
going to U104, making the timing less critical. (1 Dec 99)
5 - C71 must be NPO temperature stable type. See Parts
Information. (5 Nov 00)
Improvements:
1 - R16 can be changed from 10K to 6.8K. This centers the output
Voltage on U10A better. I am unaware that the old value had
actually caused any clipping on U10A output, though. (1 Dec 99)
2 - U15 Mixer Grounding can cause major degradation in
sensitivity. It is very important that this is dealt with!
All the information is on U15 modification
page. The modification is
simple but the improvement
can be big. (21 Dec 01)
Important! - The silk-screen legend is backwards for the 78L05 regulators, U13 and U103. The flat sides of both TO-92 packages should be towards the top of the board. There is no problem in installing the parts, of course. The sketch of the package included with the board is correct. Thanks to KD7TS for catching this. (Added 26 Oct 99)
Note 8 of the Assembly Notes says that all chip caps can be 1206 size. This is NOT true for the 0.01 uF and 470 pF values. These should be 0805 size. Also the 0.01 uF part number in the 4.1 addendum to the Assembly Notes is for the larger size. See the Part Information page for more information and supplier part numbers.
"SR105" Diode - When the DSP program is first started and before the PC program is run, the DSP-10 can come up with BOTH transmit and receive turned on. This sets up a loop that oscillates at full power! Very bad. My DSP-10 shows about +16 or +17 dBm out. The happens because the shift registers (U107, U108) come up uninitialized. The eventual solution will be to program an EPROM that includes the setting of the shift registers at DSP startup. Here is a work-around until you have an EPROM version: Acquire a Schottky diode and solder the cathode (bar end) to the junction of R132 and Q104-collector. Solder the anode (non-bar) end to the junction of R130 & R131 (base of Q103). It must be a low barrier voltage diode like the Schottky, but it can be either a rectifier or small-signal type. I used a SR105 from Digi-Key, but I notice that Radio Shack has 1N5817-1N5819 or 1N5820-1N5822 on special order status. W7LHL suggested that a 1N34 type of germanium could work also. This work-around prevents the 'transmit' from being enabled when 'receive' is enabled. (Added 5 Sept 01, based on 27 Jan 00 reflector posting.)
Diagnostic Web Pages - Three diagnostic pages that will help to find problems with the boards are now available. For general verification, the Tips and Measurements page. has various tips, lists scope measurements and shows screen pictures under specified conditions. For the Serial connections between the EZ-Kit and the main board there is a diagnostic program and other information at the Serial Diagnostics page. Various hints, a second diagnostic program and waveform photos for the Phase-locked Loops are at the PLL Diagnostics page. Also, do not forget to check the archives that go with the email reflector, listed above. They can be accessed from the qth.net Web Site. From "Select List," choose "DSP-10." Then click on "Archives." (Updated 28 May 00)
Hints - The Hints Page has a collection of tips that may help in the assembly, test and use of your DSP-10.
DSP-10 & Frequency Reference Info - Along with building their DSP-10's, W7CQ and KO7N have been busy with the construction of great looking 10 MHz standards, using the Brooks Shera controller board. Take a look at their DSP-10 web site. This links to the info on their frequency standards as well as having additional material on the DSP-10.
Part Info - To assist in the assembly of the main PC Board, there is an Assembly Part List that has a separate line for each part on the board. The value and location of each part is listed in inches and mm. This is an assembly and test aid and not for purchasing parts. Use the 'Part Buying Information' below for this. (Added 24 Oct 99.)
All of the part buying information is being moved to a single page of Part Buying Information. I will try to indicate the update status of the part page here. To that end, note that the Spread Sheet of buying information, put together by Rich, W5RXP has been updated, as of 28 Oct 99. Also more part source links and information have been listed and the 0805 chip correction, listed above, was added.
The Insides 
For those that
don't have the QST articles, here is a peek inside a DSP-10. This
one was carefully crafted by Ernie Manly, W7LHL, and is being
used on the air. The brass covered box holds the EZ-Kit Lite DSP.
The main PC board is at the bottom of the box.
Click on the image for a full size screen shot (W7SLB photo).
To aid with assembly, W7SLB took detailed pictures of his assembled PC board. Ignore the MOSFETs, Q105 and Q106, in the lower right picture, as these are not the specified package. The board has been divided into four parts. Click on any of the little pictures for the corner that you want to see:
Screen Shot
As a sample of
the front panel, here is a shot by W7SZ of the full transceiver,
using 2.0 software to receive W7PUA on 10 GHz. The path is about
100 miles, home station-to-home station, with a number of hills
in the way. The signal was being scattered by water/ice or
irregularities in the troposphere that produced about 45 Hertz of
Doppler as well as spectral spreading. The sky was hazy with no
rain in the path. At the bottom of the waterfall is a PUA43
message, producing the text at the top. The upper portion of the
waterfall is at a 1200 Hz scale and the PUA43 portion is at a
4800 Hz width. Click on the image for a full size screen shot.
For further information on DSP-based weak signal detection, look
at Rein Smit W6/PA0ZN's
and Mike
Cook, AF9Y's web pages.
Audio Processor
The full function Audio Processor is available in the DSP-10 software. It supports all modes and transmit as well as receive. This means that special capabilities, such as LTI, PUA43 or EME2, are available with out building the RF hardware. The drawback is that you are at the mercy of the stability and frequency control of the transceiver being used. Also, there is no provision for controlling the transceiver from the DSP-10 Audio Processor. The software is identical for RF and Audio Processor, with the processor being selected by CTRL-ALT-O or o (not zero).
For receive functions, the input to the DSP board comes from the transceiver headphone jack, or equivalent. For transmit functions, the audio output from the DSP board is run into the microphone input of a SSB transceiver. This is a good general purpose audio processor with all the display of a built-in spectrum analyzer. In addition, the input can be tuned up to at least 20 kHz and serves as a general purpose test instrument. The relative dB calibration is excellent.
The audio processor requires either a DSPx & KDSP10 combination, or an EZ-KIT Lite, but no other hardware outside of a PC.
Here is a
sample of the front panel with the audio processor (running the
Ver 1.6 software).
Click on the image for a full sized screen shot.
This page
was last updated 13 March 08, W7PUA
Please email comments or corrections to boblark 'at
sign' proaxis.com
