[hpsdr] New TAPR Product: the "PulsePuppy"

[Robert Lorenzini]

Thanks John I have a Isotemp in stock. Ordered.
Now make one for my GPS module.

Bob - wd6dod

On 12/23/2017 1:28 PM, John Ackermann N8UR wrote:
> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
> Below is a message I sent to the time-nuts mailing list about a cute 
> little project I just finished, that TAPR will be offering as a 
> semi-kit.  I'm forwarding it to the HPSDR list because it might be 
> interesting for use as an external frequency reference for SDR radios.
>
> The time-nuts are mainly interested in the performance an oven 
> oscillator ("OCXO") can provide.  But an OCXO is overkill for most SDR 
> uses -- they draw a lot of power (as much as 800ma when warming up and 
> 200ma steady-state) and they have a long warm-up period.
>
> Well, it turns out that TAPR has a supply of the Crystek 
> temperature-controlled oscillator ("TCXO") we used in the HPSDR 
> Excalibur board, and we've designed the PulsePuppy to work with that 
> oscillator as well.  The Crystek TCXO provides ±1 PPM (e.g., 10 Hz at 
> 10 MHz) stability over -10 to +60 degrees C, and 1 PPM aging rate per 
> year.  It draws very little power and has almost no warm-up time.  In 
> short, it's a great match for an SDR system.
>
> While supplies last, TAPR is offering a bundle that includes the 
> PulsePuppy kit for $69 and the Crystek TCXO for $30.  For comparison, 
> the current Digikey price for the TCXO is $53.85.  If you're 
> interested, go to http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for more details and a 
> link to place an order.  (We're expecting to ship kits in mid-February.)
>
> 73 and happy holidays!
> John
>
> PS -- The pictures referred to below aren't in this message; they're 
> too large for the list.  The TAPR web page has a nice picture.
>
>
> ----
>
> I've developed a little board called the PulsePuppy that supports 
> surplus OCXOs in the common "Eurocase" form factor to provide outputs 
> at 10 MHz, or at 1 PPS/10 PPS/100PPS using an on-board 12F675 PIC with 
> one of TVB's picDIV firmware images.
>
> The attached pictures show one prototype unit in closeup, and a panel 
> of three that are used for TICC counter production testing (providing 
> one 10 MHz and two independent PPS outputs).  Also attached is an ADEV 
> plot of the inexpensive Isotemp OCXO131-100 oscillator I'm using to 
> give an idea of the performance you can expect from these small 
> oscillators (they and others like them are available from several eBay 
> sources for <$30).
>
> The PulsePuppy is available from TAPR as a semi-kit and can be ordered 
> at http://tapr.org/kits_pp.html for $69.  We expect to ship the kits 
> in mid-February (delivery of the boards from our contract manufacturer 
> is the gating factor).
>
> The assembly manual with schematics can be downloaded at 
> http://www.tapr.org/~n8ur/PulsePuppy_Manual.pdf but here are the specs 
> in brief:
>
> * Footprint for either Eurocase OCXO or Crystek CXOH20-BP-10.000
>   TCXO (TAPR has a bunch of these TCXOs remaining from another project
>   and, while they last, is offering them bundled with the PulsePuppy
>   for an attractive price).
>
> * PPS divider uses TVB PD-13 firmware that includes capability to
>   synchronize to an external clock.
>
> * TTL-level output at jumper-selectable 10 MHz, 100 PPS, 10 PPS,
>   or 1 PPS rates.
>
> * A BNC output connector is included, but the board contains a footprint
>   to install a user-provided SMA.
>
> * 25-turn EFC trimmer with 0-5V range.
>
> * Option to support sine-wave as well as square wave oscillators.
>
> * Board dimensions are 1.5 x 3.5 inches.
>
> TAPR is offering the PulsePuppy as a "semi-kit" that includes the 
> printed circuit board with all surface-mount components installed, and 
> a handful of through-hole parts (like voltage regulators, jumpers, and 
> connectors) for the user to install.  By leaving these parts for the 
> user, the board can be customized -- for example to use different 
> voltages or to support a sine-wave oscillator.
>
> Note that the kit DOES NOT include the oscillator, unless you buy the 
> Crystek TCXO bundle.
>
> Happy Holidays to all!
>
> John
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