[hpsdr] 31db attenuator

[Joe Martin]

Hi Glen, 

The ANAN-8000DLE uses the 6-bit DAT-31R5A+.  The footprint is identical to the DAT-31A-SP+, with pin 20 being for stepping in 0.5dB steps in the DAT-31R5A+ and having no connection in the DAT-31A-SP+.  The firmware in the 8000DLE converts the 5-bit attenuator sent by software to a 6-bit number to actually send to the attenuator on the 8000DLE Orion MkII board.  If you have installed a DAT-31R5A+ we can make a modification to the firmware you use on the Hermes to accommodate that part, as we have done for the Orion MkII board. 

But of course you may not wish to go that route as the future public released versions of firmware for Hermes will assume you have the DAT-31A+ part.  It’s probably not a great idea to configure your Hermes with an attenuator that differs from what is used on other Hermes boards, unless you wish to create your own special firmware version each time for it.

73, Joe K5SO

> On Apr 11, 2017, at 6:49 AM, k4kv <k4kv at k4kv.com> wrote:
> 
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I spent some time yesterday talking to a fellow at Mini-Circuits about the 6-bit attenuator.  The correct part is the DAT-31A-SP+, not the 31r5ASP+ their website recommends.  When I first built my Hermes, the guy I bought the attenuators from got it wrong, then I bought new ones and replaced the ones I had.  That also did not work.
> That being said, the 6-bit part seems to be the future, so 'we' should consider changing to include either a 5-bit or a 6-bit part.
> The extra pin on the 6-bit part is only for power-up settings, and is moot after the first programming word is sent.
> Sorry for the confusion...
> 73
> Glen K4KV 
> 
>