[hpsdr] picoPSU-120-WI-25

Thu Dec 29 06:47:05 PST 2011

I have been browsing this morning and have found a website that has an 
extensive 10 page review of the picoPSU dc/dc converters, including both 
efficiency and output ripple measurements.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=207

Thanks for the response.

Mike, K7SR

On 12/29/2011 1:14 AM, Kjell Karlsen wrote:
> Hi Mike.
>
> I have just built a complete HPSDR transceiver into a Pandora enclosure
> with Atlas, Mercury, Penny, Metis and Alex filters + the prototype of
> Munin, a 100W PA.
>
> I use a PicoPSU M3-ATX 6-24V DC/DC (125 Watt). It runs from 6-24V DC and
> works fine and cool.
>
> Only 2 spurs are heard, one on 160m at 1830KHz and one on 80m at 3660
> KHz. Both at -120dBm. No spurs are detected on the other bands that
> comes from the PicoPSU.
>
> PicoPSU also have different SMPSU´s that is not plugged directly into
> the Atlas bus. (M2-ATX-HV 6-32V DC/DC (140 Watt)) They may be installed
> into a shielded box with more filtering in the leads (ferrite beads) to
> prevent spurs. It has to be tested.
>
> It is possible to construct Switch Mode PSU´s that are completely
> without spurs. In Hermes, the new HPSDR transceiver we are using a SMPSU
> installed on the PCB and Abhi reports that only one spur is detected so
> far. It is possible to change switching frequency to move this spur
> outside the amateur band. Anyway, it is very weak, around -130dBm (if I
> remember right).
>
> 73, Kjell
>
>
>
>
>
> På Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:25:46 +0100, skrev Mike F <mikecf100 at gmail.com>:
>
>> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>>
>> Of the picoPSU supplies, the picoPSU-120-WI-25 is the one most
>> compatable with HPSDR and existing ham gear because it will operate at
>> the automobile voltages. My question is: has anyone investigated the
>> performance of this unit to determine:
>>
>> 1) is there any noise created by the switching supplies that might
>> degrade the receive performance?
>>
>> 2) what is the actual minimum input voltage where the unit will work
>> at our loads. Unfortunately, if this unit were being used from a car
>> 12 volt system, it is a sure thing that the voltage will drop below 12
>> volts occasionally (i.e. starting). It would be nice if HPSDR
>> continues to operate without stress during those events.
>>
>> I presently have my HPSDR system (Mercury, Penelope, Metis) packaged
>> in an external drive case that I bought at a local pc recycle place. I
>> use the supply that was originally in the drive case, and don't seem
>> to have problems with the switching supply. In actuality I haven't
>> done a careful evaluation, but there is nothing obvious.
>>
>> Mike, K7SR
>>
>>>
>>> Message: 6
>>> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:04:05 -0500
>>> From: n3evl<n3evl at townisp.com>
>>> To: hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org
>>> Subject: Re: [hpsdr] LPU Capacity
>>> Message-ID:<4EFB6825.2040906 at townisp.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
>>>
>>> A couple of months ago I decided to retire LPU in favor of the
>>> picoPSU-120-WI-25. This appears to fulfill the current requirements of
>>> the usual suspects + Metis at 1 Gigabit. The picoPSU spec quotes two
>>> figures for 5V:
>>>
>>> 5V 6A
>>> 5VSB 1.5A
>>>
>>> I have no idea what 5VSB refers to - maybe somebody can shed some light
>>> on this designation?
>>>
>>> The picoPSU unit is quite small and does not have the tall heatsinks
>>> used with LPU. It supposedly runs quite a bit cooler but I left the
>>> fan in place figuring some air flow through Pandora can't hurt.
>>>
>>> Pete, N3EVL
>>>
>>> On 12/28/2011 10:03 AM, Chris Day wrote:
>>>> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks, Erich. Replacing the soft fuses with wire has been enough so
>>>> far, but I haven't fired up the transmitter section of Pennylane yet.
>>>> Linear chain will be external, so there will be no extra load from
>>>> that. Meanwhile, playing with Mercury with delightful results.
>>>>
>>>> Chris Day
>>>> AE6VK
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:12:10 -0800
>>>>> From: vk5hse at yahoo.com
>>>>> To: hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org
>>>>> Subject: Re: [hpsdr] LPU Capacity
>>>>>
>>>>> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>>>>>
>>>>> Have cobbled together various reflector postings for my own
>>>> reference as well as for others.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> There was a summary posted to the reflector that is worth reviewing:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> http://lists.openhpsdr.org/pipermail/hpsdr-openhpsdr.org/2011-March/014678.html
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> the meaty bits were:
>>>>>
>>>>> Magister = Ozy
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> power consumption summary:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 12 V 5 v
>>>>> OZY .001 A .1 A
>>>>> PENY .4 A .2 A
>>>>> MERC .2 A .5 A
>>>>>
>>>>> Metis 100 .4A
>>>>>
>>>>> Metis 1000bT .75A
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> no-one seems to have stated excalibur power requirements, but it
>>>> doesn't appear to be huge
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> add the LPU errata document:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.tapr.org/pdf/LPU_Errata.pdf
>>>>>
>>>>> which mentions in errata #2:
>>>>>
>>>>> "Description of Error:
>>>>> Fuses F2 and F3 are underrated for a full system. They are rated at
>>>> continuous 1.1A without
>>>>> tripping, while an Ozy/Mercury/Penelope system draws typically 1.3A
>>>> from the +5V rail.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Symptoms:
>>>>> An Ozy/Mercury/Penelope system will operate for a short period and
>>>> then unexpectedly shut
>>>>> down. The time can vary, but is typically around 10 minutes. This is
>>>> due to F2 opening and shutting
>>>>> down the +5V output. (Note that F2 doesn't actually "open"; it
>>>> becomes higher resistance to protect
>>>>> the load.) After a power cycle, normal operation resumes.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Recommended Corrective Action:
>>>>> Short across F2 and F3 with pieces of wire."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> There has also been talk of strapping the 12V feedtrhough for high
>>>> power things like a PA
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> http://lists.openhpsdr.org/pipermail/hpsdr-openhpsdr.org/2010-July/012616.html
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> and some suggestion of shorting the 5V fuse and relying on the
>>>> regulator to protect itself +/- modifying R6 the series resistor
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> http://lists.openhpsdr.org/pipermail/hpsdr-openhpsdr.org/2010-July/012617.html
>>>>
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>>>>
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>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 7
>>> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:39:31 +0100
>>> From: "Kjell Karlsen"<la2ni at online.no>
>>> To: hpsdr at lists.openhpsdr.org, n3evl<n3evl at townisp.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [hpsdr] LPU Capacity
>>> Message-ID:<op.v67sv5linknqug at kjell-pc.lan>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-15; format=flowed;
>>> delsp=yes
>>>
>>> Hi Pete.
>>>
>>> The 5VSB refers to the output on pin 9 on the ATX connector and is used
>>> for stand by of the PC. I do not think it is used on the Atlas bus card.
>>>
>>> 73, Kjell
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> P? Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:04:05 +0100, skrev n3evl<n3evl at townisp.com>:
>>>
>>>> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>
>

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