NetSDR Wideband Digital Radio User’s Guide Firmware Revision 1.07 & 1.08 FPGA Revision 3 & 4 Type to enter text Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
Table of Contents Legal Notices 3 Supplied Accessories 4 Precautions 5 Hardware 6 Introduction 7 Front Panel 8 Rear Panel 9 Installation 10 SDRNetFinder Software 12 SDR-Radio Software 13 CuteSDR Application 14 Interface Specifications 15 Compliance 16 Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
Legal Notices This User Guide provides user information and is provided “as is.” RFSPACE and its affiliated companies, directors, officers, or employees assume no responsibility for any typographical, technical, content or other inaccuracies in this User Guide. RFSPACE reserves the right to revise this User Guide or withdraw it at any time without prior notice. The latest version can be found at www.rfspace.com.
Supplied Accessories The NetSDR ships with a universal (multi-plug) power supply, ethernet cable, and SpectraVue software installation CD. The user guide is included in the CD. Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
Precautions CAUTION! There are no user replaceable parts inside. CAUTION! Never put the receiver in any unstable place . This may cause damage to the receiver or personal injury. CAUTION! Never exceed 5.5 volts on DC input jack. Internal circuitry will shut down the radio, but damage might still occur. CAUTION! Never transmit into the antenna input connector or transmit into adjacent antennas. This might cause damage to the sensitive front end circuitry.
Hardware • Frequency range: 0.010 - 32.000 MHz, 1Hz Steps * Usable up to 34 MHz+ • DDC Processor: Xilinx XC3S500E • PC Interface: Ethernet 100 base-T (UDP/TCP) • DDC Filters: 110 dB+ Alias Free Dynamic Range (Single DDC FPGA Code) • Decimation Rate: Variable 40-6400 (increments of 4) • Output Sample Rate: 12.5 KHz to 2.0 MHz ( 24 or 16 bits) 64 Mb/s max data rate • DDC Flatness: <0.2 dB • Analog to Digital Converter: 16 bits @ 80 MHz. SNR = 78.
Introduction The NetSDR radio is a high performance networked SDR with 1.6 MHz bandwidth and 2.0 MHz output sample rate. The NetSDR uses a high performance 80 MHz, 16 bit ADC with both dithering and randomization for best performance. The output I/Q bandwidth is configurable via software. PC communications are handled over a 100 base-T port using 24 or 16 bit I/Q words. The unit is compatible with the Moetronix SpectraVue and SDR-Radio software.
Front Panel Power button: Turns NetSDR on/off Clip LED: Shows the analog to digital converter clipping state. When on, the ADC is experiencing a signal higher than the capture range. It is advisable to increase the input attenuation until clipping condition stops. It is perfectly normal for the clipping light to sporadically activate with impulse noise. Busy LED: Shows connection status and operating mode: Steady blinking indicates the active capture of radio signals using the ext.
Rear Panel RF IN (RF 1): Main RF input (0.010 - 34.000MHz). Input AC coupled . Do not exceed 13dBm or 25 VDC. REF: 10 MHz reference input in units equipped with the REFLOCK module. 0.2 -1.0 Vp-p max (sine, square, or clipped sinewave) 50-75 Ohm. IF (RF 2): Secondary RF in/out port for future upgrades. AUX STEREO JACK: Stereo jack for future upgrades. MODE SELECT (1 or 2): Position 1 after power on: NetSDR sends “RFSPACE NetSDR” in Morse Code.
Installation The NetSDR uses an ethernet connection to the PC for communications. The NetSDR can be connected directly to a PC or it can connect to a router or switch. There is no need to use a crossed cable when connecting directly to a PC. To use the NetSDR with a direct to PC connection, connect the supplied ethernet cable between the ethernet connector of the NetSDR and the ethernet connector on the PC. The PC will have to be configured with a manual IP address like 192.168.1.
The Default gateway and DNS servers should not be populated when using direct communications. When using a router with a built-in DHCP server, the NetSDR can be configured to request a DHCP address from the router. SpectraVue will have to be configured to access the NetSDR at IP Address 192.168.1.3 and Port 50000. Pressing the find button will look for the NetSDR on the network. ** Make sure the Windows or other firewall is not blocking the SpectraVue application or the port being used.
SDRNetSetup Software RFSPACE supplies the SDRNetSetup application in the CD Rom. This application can be used to find all of the NetSDR and SDR-IP radios that are present on the network. After pressing the “Find SDR’s” button, a list of connected SDRs will be shown. Double clicking on a radio will open a setup window. This window can be used to change tthe IP Address, and other setting. ** When using direct PC to NetSDR connection (no router inline) uncheck the “Use DHCP”. Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
SDR-Radio Software The new SDR-Radio software by SDR-RADIO.com GmbH supports the NetSDR. This exciting new application allows the control of the NetSDR over the internet with full spectrum display and demodulated audio. The spectrum display data and audio are transmitted using compressed data with less than 10 KB/s bandwidth requirements. The latest version of the SDR-Radio application is available at www.sdr-radio.com Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
CuteSDR Open Source Application RFSPACE supplies a simple, open-source application for the NetSDR radio. This application is written using the QT framework and will compile for MacOS, Windows and Linux operating systems. This software is supplied with a free licence to be used by RFSPACE customers wishing to create their own applications. more information at : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CuteSDR Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
Interface Specifications Please contact info@rfspace.com for the latest version of the NetSDR Interface Specification Document. Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
Compliance This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device as applicable, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Jan 2012 RFSPACE, Inc.
