[hpsdr] Hermes

[Dick Faust]

Lots of discussion so here is my 2 cents worth.

I would go with Ethernet if the noise level can be controlled to an 
acceptable level.  I agree it would be nice if the USB-2 interface could 
remain and what about USB-3  which is just coming out.

In terms of Ethernet there are two modes - Infrastructure and Ad hoc.  
Infrastructure requires some sort of DHCP somewhere, but Ad hoc works 
between just 2 devices and does not require setting fixed ip addresses, 
switches or any DHCP,  just a simple crossover cable with 2 NIC's or no 
cables or switches with 2 WIFI devices.

I also think support for 10-100-1000 speeds whether automatic or by 
jumper should be available.

As far as laptops go almost all have a wired NIC and a wireless card !  
I have several old laptops that only have a NIC, but support wifi 
through pcmcia / cardbus or USB.  I have seen new laptops with out 
Cardbus ports but not with out NIC and wifi.

I believe the NIC can be configured Ad hoc and the wifi [or a second 
NIC] can be setup in infrastructure mode.  Some special instructions 
might be needed, especially for WIN7 which only likes to talk to WIN7 
PC's on the network if one follows M$ instructions !

Dick K9IVB

Phil Harman wrote:
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
> All,
>
> Having completed the Beta testing of Hermes we are now preparing to make
> the necessary changes to bring the board into a production ready state.
>
> There are quite a few changes which are mainly due to the fact we want to
> ensure the product lives up to the 'High Performance' name tag.
>
> One of the changes is to replace one of the high current linear regulators
> with a SMPSU. We are fortunate to have Kjell, LA2NI,  on our design team.
> Kjell has designed a high frequency SMPSU that works well when
> incorporated on the Hermes PCB and does not introduce significant spurs.
> This substantially reduces the current drain and also the heat
> dissipation.
>
> The other potential change is this.  I have this week build a prototype
> OzyII Gigabit Ethernet board. It works very well and I'm impressed with
> how rugged Ethernet appears to be in comparison to USB and Firewire.
>
> We therefore have the opportunity to replace the USB interface on Hermes
> with Ethernet.  There are a number of advantages in doing this:
>
> - we overcome the USB driver issues when using different operating systems
> - we can 'network attach' Hermes
> - we will have a very high speed interface to the board for future features
> - we can use a much longer Ethernet cable than USB allows
>
> the disadvantages
>
> - it may need more that one spin of the PCB which will delay the delivery
> - we will use approximately 10% of the FPGA to implement the Ethernet
> interface.
>
> I'm not too concerned about using more of the FPGA since the device we are
> using is 70% larger than that used on Mercury.
>
> So "to USB or not to USB - that is the question"?
>
> 73's Phil...VK6APH
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> HPSDR Discussion List
> To post msg: hpsdr at openhpsdr.org
> Subscription help: http://lists.openhpsdr.org/listinfo.cgi/hpsdr-openhpsdr.org
> HPSDR web page: http://openhpsdr.org
> Archives: http://lists.openhpsdr.org/pipermail/hpsdr-openhpsdr.org/
>
>   

 1281030920.0