<div dir="ltr">Hi Glen,<div><br></div><div>This is a receiver only. 14-bit. You can listen to many online at <a href="http://sdr.hu">http://sdr.hu</a></div><div><br></div><div>I mention it in context of the Hermes transceiver redesign for these reasons.</div><div><br></div><div>It uses a relatively inexpensive Xilinx Artix7 BGA part. $35 for 35K LEs. Earlier discussion on this thread recommended switching to BGA even though it restricts access to home builders. Also, it was pointed out that pin and interfacing specs are better for BGA and there are fewer new nonBGA FPGAs available. With the Hermes-Lite 2 we went with a Cyclone IV part in 144 EQFP package just so home builders would be able to build one. We've learned that there is now too much SMT on the Hermes-Lite 2 that only a few diehards will ever build one at home. I anticipate that most Hermes-Lite 2s will be partially or completely assembled in China. So in hindsight we could have considered a BGA part for the Hermes-Lite 2, and I probably will in future projects. The KiWiSDR is a good example of an entirely open source project, designed with KiCAD, for a hobby market that uses a BGA FPGA. So, a Hermes redesign should consider just how many people want to assemble a board or purchase one that is partially assembled, and use that the make a decision on BGA. We sold partially assembled Hermes-Lite 1s (~50) and that worked out well. </div><div><br></div><div>The KiWiSDR started with an Altera part but switched to the Xilinx part. In my discussions with the designer, one reason was that he wanted to use Xilinx FIR filter and NCO IP. The way Xilinx licenses this IP makes it possible to use such IP and distribute RTL with the free version of their software. This is not the case with the free Altera software. A lot of work goes into designing and tuning these IP so they can often be very good and easy (and quick) to use.</div><div><br></div><div>I ran into IP restriction issues when starting out with the Hermes-Lite. Since I was using a BeMicro SDK, I wanted to start with the sdrstick RTL as I didn't have time to redo firmware from scratch. I was told that the sdrstick firmware at that time used Altera IP and hence the RTL couldn't be distributed. This is why I switched to the openhpsdr RTL because it was open source. (I am very grateful and thankful to the authors of the firmware for making it open source.) So, one reason openhpsdr may want to consider Xilinx FPGAs is because there is more DSP IP available for community/open use.</div><div><br></div><div>Finally, the KiWiSDR is an example of an open source project that is open down to the PCB level. People may think I am harping on this point, but it is important when trying to attract those who wish to do actual derivative work or borrow layout. The KiWiSDR was done entirely in KiCAD. It uses a 6 layer board.</div><div><br></div><div>73,</div><div><br></div><div>Steve</div><div>KF7O</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Jun 3, 2017 at 10:15 AM, K4KV <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:k4kv@k4kv.com" target="_blank">k4kv@k4kv.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p>Steve,</p>
<p>I could not find where it said it was a transceiver, nor it's
power output if any...</p>
<p>73</p>
<p>Glen K4KV</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="m_4914127066148140616moz-cite-prefix">On 6/3/2017 12:29, Steve Haynal wrote:<br>
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<div dir="ltr">Hi Group,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The KiwiSDR is an interesting SDR project to consider with
regards to a Hermes redesign: <a href="http://kiwisdr.com/" target="_blank">http://kiwisdr.com/</a> The project</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>* uses an inexpensive BGA part<br>
</div>
<div>* switched to Xilinx as the licensing of some DSP IP is
more lenient with Xilinx than Altera</div>
<div>* is entirely open source, including PCB design files</div>
<div><br>
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<div>73,</div>
<div><br>
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<div>Steve</div>
<div>KF7O</div>
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