Re: [Flexradio] Website
Some of the forum posts are still available in Googles cache. If you enter the following search in google: site:www.flex-radio.com forum you can then click on the cached link and view the page. Probably not a complete cache of the forum but something if anyone wants to find some of the more memorable posts and save them away. I also checked the internet archive wayback machine (www.archive.org) but they only had two dates of www.flex-radio.com and for some reason there was an error accessing those. Sigh. 73, Kurt KC9FOL ecellison wrote: Phil Lee et al. I am also sad to see the website go and do enjoy reading Larry's exploits etc. I am especially sad at the loss of content which probably could have been served up in another way. It is not only a chronologic historic record of the radios revolution, but also still had a good deal of useful content. Ah Well! Eric2 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lee A Crocker Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 6:03 PM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Website Larry Why don't you set up a regular blog at one of the blogsites like blogger, and include the url in a signature file. I am interested in your 80M exploits, and the blog would be a more natural method of recording them as opposed to a series of reflected emails. Blogger is trivial to set up and its free. 73 Lee W9OY ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Website
For anyone who is wondering whether their ISP is as (un)reliable as Eric's, you can take a copy of your database information using DOS and a Windows scheduled task. I am using MySQL and with DOS the utility is mysqldump.exe . Having learnt in the past how things can go wrong (lost servers and backups in an avalanche a few years ago) I also get backups off site. If anyone is interest I'll post the scripts I use in my own forums - this is just a DOS .bat file. I am lucky in that I have two high-speed web servers and they are mine - all mine. No-one to mess me around, the only person who can screw things up in classic style is - me! Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch
Re: [Flexradio] Website
The link to the script is here: http://forums.ham-radio.ch/viewtopic.php?t=3692 Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch - Original Message - From: Simon Brown (HB9DRV) [EMAIL PROTECTED] If anyone is interested I'll post the scripts I use in my own forums - this is just a DOS .bat file.
[Flexradio] Italian Forums / Forum in lingua Italiana
To group: this is a Italian language topic announcing the re-opening of specific Italian Forums on FlexRadio site, thank you. Ciao a tutti, a seguito della disavventura occorsa al database della FlexRadio, con conseguente perdita di tutto l'archivio STORICO del forum più famoso nel campo SDR, anche il nostro neonato Forum è stato perduto. Il mail reflector (flexRadio@flex-radio.biz) resterà come supporto principale per tutti gli utilizzatori SDR-1000, è costantemente monitorato da Eric come riferimento per la soluzione dei problemi, ovviamente tutto in lingua Inglese. E' stato comunque deciso di riaprire i forum nelle lingue nazionali Italiano e Tedesco visto l'importanza che riveste l'opportunità di condividere esperienze e risolvere problemi tra i vari utenti di varie nazionalità. Il Forum Italiano è già attivo: http://flex-radio.com/forums/ Bisogna rieffettuare la registrazione come la prima volta, e dopo si è subito attivi. Sperando sarà cosa utile a tutti, con l'occasione un cordiale 73 Beppe IK3VIG
Re: [Flexradio] BSD occurred while changing frequencies using BSR w/ 1.4.5p7
Sigh. I was afraid of that. I have been getting them but the most frequent occurrence has been when hitting the Standby/On button. VERY aggravating. Bob Philip Covington wrote: Tim, The BSOD was caused by vackmd.sys which is the VAC driver. It tried to perform an operation at a restricted IRQ level (looks like in the IRQ Cancel routine). This is a bug in the VAC driver and it should be reported to the author. He should then request the dump file to analyze the exact cause. Since the version of vackmd.sys on your system is not a debug build with symbols, I cannot tell you the exact cause within the VAC driver code. Only the author can do this since he has the source code. 73 de Phil N8VB On 11/30/05, Tim Ellison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Error occurred with version: 1.4.5p7 During the testing of the popping noise during frequency changes using the band stack register (BSR) feature on 20 meter, I experienced a blue screen of death: IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR EQUAL Hex code: 0x000a (0x0028 0x0002 0x0001 0x80a5702a) I have the mini dump if anyone wants it. -Tim --- Tim Ellison mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Integrated Technical Services http://www.itsco.com/ Apex, NC USA 919.674.0044 Ext. 25 / 919.674.0045 (FAX) 919.215.6375 - cell PGP public key available at all public KeyServers ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Philip A Covington http://www.philcovington.com ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Laziness is the number one inspiration for ingenuity. Guilty as charged!
Re: [Flexradio] Italian Forums / Forum in lingua Italiana
Molto buon! È triste da perdere il forum! Bob N4HY Giuseppe Campana wrote: To group: this is a Italian language topic announcing the re-opening of specific Italian Forums on FlexRadio site, thank you. Ciao a tutti, a seguito della disavventura occorsa al database della FlexRadio, con conseguente perdita di tutto l'archivio STORICO del forum più famoso nel campo SDR, anche il nostro neonato Forum è stato perduto. Il mail reflector (flexRadio@flex-radio.biz) resterà come supporto principale per tutti gli utilizzatori SDR-1000, è costantemente monitorato da Eric come riferimento per la soluzione dei problemi, ovviamente tutto in lingua Inglese. E' stato comunque deciso di riaprire i forum nelle lingue nazionali Italiano e Tedesco visto l'importanza che riveste l'opportunità di condividere esperienze e risolvere problemi tra i vari utenti di varie nazionalità. Il Forum Italiano è già attivo: http://flex-radio.com/forums/ Bisogna rieffettuare la registrazione come la prima volta, e dopo si è subito attivi. Sperando sarà cosa utile a tutti, con l'occasione un cordiale 73 Beppe IK3VIG ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Laziness is the number one inspiration for ingenuity. Guilty as charged!
Re: [Flexradio] Website
Kurt Vangsness wrote: Some of the forum posts are still available in Googles cache. If you enter the following search in google: site:www.flex-radio.com forum I checked. It's a very eclectic and random list. The most important page I'd like is whichever one has the list of most recent CAT commands (or, maybe, just repost that here) plus a link the the web page on how to interface something other than the D44 (which requires nothing but a wire) to make the 2nd sound card enabled for digital modes. Something about a pot and a blocking capacitor. I was able to find Tony's schematic for the linear, which might be more important given the Softrock developments than it was originally perhaps. For sure, if you have a favored web page, google for it now, because a lot of stuff is already gone. Larry WO0Z
Re: [Flexradio] Website
Larry, You can download the lastest CAT dictionary from my site at http://btracy.com/SDR1K.htm. Bob K5KDN -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Loen Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 3:34 AM To: Kurt Vangsness Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz; 'Lee A Crocker' Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Website Kurt Vangsness wrote: Some of the forum posts are still available in Googles cache. If you enter the following search in google: site:www.flex-radio.com forum I checked. It's a very eclectic and random list. The most important page I'd like is whichever one has the list of most recent CAT commands (or, maybe, just repost that here) plus a link the the web page on how to interface something other than the D44 (which requires nothing but a wire) to make the 2nd sound card enabled for digital modes. Something about a pot and a blocking capacitor. I was able to find Tony's schematic for the linear, which might be more important given the Softrock developments than it was originally perhaps. For sure, if you have a favored web page, google for it now, because a lot of stuff is already gone. Larry WO0Z ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] BSD occurred while changing frequencies using BSR w/ 1.4.5p7
If it happens on shutdown/restart of VAC, then it is 99.9% likely that the problem is in his cancel IRQ routine. Canceling IRQs in progress is always a sticking point in Windows driver development. That is why MS came up with Cancel Safe Queues in XP. Phil N8VB On 12/2/05, Robert McGwier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sigh. I was afraid of that. I have been getting them but the most frequent occurrence has been when hitting the Standby/On button. VERY aggravating. Bob Philip Covington wrote: Tim, The BSOD was caused by vackmd.sys which is the VAC driver. It tried to perform an operation at a restricted IRQ level (looks like in the IRQ Cancel routine). This is a bug in the VAC driver and it should be reported to the author. He should then request the dump file to analyze the exact cause. Since the version of vackmd.sys on your system is not a debug build with symbols, I cannot tell you the exact cause within the VAC driver code. Only the author can do this since he has the source code. 73 de Phil N8VB On 11/30/05, Tim Ellison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Error occurred with version: 1.4.5p7 During the testing of the popping noise during frequency changes using the band stack register (BSR) feature on 20 meter, I experienced a blue screen of death: IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR EQUAL Hex code: 0x000a (0x0028 0x0002 0x0001 0x80a5702a) I have the mini dump if anyone wants it. -Tim --- Tim Ellison mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Integrated Technical Services http://www.itsco.com/ Apex, NC USA 919.674.0044 Ext. 25 / 919.674.0045 (FAX) 919.215.6375 - cell PGP public key available at all public KeyServers ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Philip A Covington http://www.philcovington.com ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Laziness is the number one inspiration for ingenuity. Guilty as charged! -- Philip A Covington http://www.philcovington.com
Re: [Flexradio] Website
Yeah, it is really easy to use. You basically just edit, paste, and publish. It is not as time consuming as trying to maintain a webpage. Half of the time I cannot even see QSL webpages because the server is so overloaded/slow and I am too impatient to wait... QSL.net is a bad choice with all the other free places out there. Phil N8VB On 12/2/05, Robert McGwier [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That is just about as horrible a place as you can put it. The level of service from qsl is just appalling. What you are doing is blogging. I think it makes sense to use a serious blog service, especially if it is free: http://www.blogger.com/start Even dimwits like me can do it and you have seen Phil's blog, he is really good at it. It can easily include pix, files, etc. Bob Larry Loen wrote: Thanks to all for the suggestions, public and private. I guess I know where my stuff belongs and it's not here. I'm going to give www.qsl.net a try. It is free and ham specific. It shows definite signs of overload, though, but I can't complain about the price. When I get the go ahead and figure it all out, I'll send word in here. Fair warning: Since there is a potentially new audience there, I'll have to start over a bit. We'll see if I can remember what I wrote a couple days ago! Larry WO0Z ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Laziness is the number one inspiration for ingenuity. Guilty as charged! ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- Philip A Covington http://www.philcovington.com
[Flexradio] Which audio interface is better
Of the two interface available from FlexRadio witch interface is best the firewire interface or the internal PCI interface? Thanks Dave
Re: [Flexradio] Website
At 01:33 AM 12/2/2005, Larry Loen wrote: Kurt Vangsness wrote: For sure, if you have a favored web page, google for it now, because a lot of stuff is already gone. Larry WO0Z Which is why the Wayback Machine exists... http://www.waybackmachine.org/ Although, sites with dynamic content don't archive as well as others.. It's one thing to use SQL or something to do the searching on a website/forum.. but it's nice when the actual posts/content wind up as static html pages.
Re: [Flexradio] Which audio interface is better
Both are excellent. The Personus has a little bit better dynamic range so it handles strong signals better but both are about equal in receiving weak signals. The Personus has a nice mic preamp and the firewire, although not as fast as PCI is very convenient since it can be used on laptops and desktops. You'll need to do a personal cost benefit analysis to see if the firewire at twice the price is right for you. -Tim --- Tim Ellison ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) Integrated Technical Services ( http://www.itsco.com ) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave Meitzen Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 9:46 AM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Which audio interface is better Of the two interface available from FlexRadio witch interface is best the firewire interface or the internal PCI interface? Thanks Dave ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Which audio interface is better
Tim stated it well. A short list of advantages for each follows: M-Audio Delta 44 ($159): Price PCI interface (fast/low CPU overhead) Break Out Box moves cables PreSonus FireBox ($299.95): Slightly better Dynamic Range (~5dB top end -- large signal handling capability) XLR Mic Inputs (also 1/4 balanced inputs) Adjustable Mic Preamp Front panel adjustable headphone jack. FireWire (1394) lends portability for laptops. Eric Wachsmann FlexRadio Systems -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] radio.biz] On Behalf Of Dave Meitzen Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 8:46 AM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Which audio interface is better Of the two interface available from FlexRadio witch interface is best the firewire interface or the internal PCI interface? Thanks Dave ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Hi Richard, This seems to be the main site for the Xylo http://www.fpga4fun.com/board_Xylo.html. I'm looking for other info and related hardware, but am just getting started myself and about the same shape as you. 73, Steve - K5FR -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of richard allen Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 8:56 PM To: Philip Covington Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Would someone please send me a link to a technical reference for the xylo board? Thanks, Richard W5SXD
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
This seems to be the main site for the Xylo http://www.fpga4fun.com/board_Xylo.html. I'm looking for other info and related hardware, but am just getting started myself and about the same shape as you. There is enough information there to tell you the main parts on the board. You then should go to the manufacturer's website and download the data sheets and related materials regarding the specific part (the FPGA, for example) as well as the related information (Cyclone family manuals and app notes, the Quartus software and manuals, etc.). Work though any tutorials or examples you find on the software. Quartus is a very powerful tool, but it isn't just push button software. In the en d, if you are doing anything other than downloading and using the work someone else did, you will have to spend some time learning the tool. The same thing applies to the Cypress USB interface microcontroller. When learning to work with FPGAs, there are a number of general things to be aware of. If your background is using discrete logic chips, like 7400 or 4000 series (yes, that dates you as well as me) you'll quickly discover that different approaches are required. FPGAs typically have very limited global clock resources and logic should usually be designed to be synchronous to the the clocks. Asynchronous logic approaches can work, but they are much more difficult. You can't stick a capacitor or an RC network to suppress a 2 nsec wide glitch, for example, and the FPGA internal logic is fast enough to care about that glitch. With the limited clocking, it is much harder to have various counters and shift registers working at different clock rates; you have to build clock qualification circuits to enable effective division. If you dealt with early C compilers, you recall that you often had to examine the assembly language output and look for errors, optimizations that deleted code you really needed to run, and so forth. The FPGA equivalent is to do a syntax check and correct any errors there, then run a simulation of the input (if using VHDL or Verilog) to ensure the logic design seems to be OK. You then compile it, and then run the simulation on the output of the compiler, because it will sometimes (usually?) infer things from your statements that you did not intend. After place and route, you back-annotate and simulate again. Then you download into the logic, and see if it works! Then you try and understand why it didn't!!! Also, note that different FPGAs from different manufacturers have different resources. Sometimes there are preferred ways to write the VHDL or Verilog to perform a specific type of function. Pay attention to any tips or hints or coding style information particular to the FPGA and compiler you are using. Just like writing lean software versus bloatware, you can write a logic function in different ways and the difference in results can be *huge*. Sort of like nested if-then-else versus a case statement. Sometimes one is better than the other based on the underlying architecture. For debugging any but the most trivial designs, a logic analyzer is almost indispensable. Quartus allows you to embed one in your design, called SignalTap, if you are willing to let Quartus report back to Altera what sort of designs you are doing and all sorts of other statistics. If you find this intrusive, you have the option to turn off SignalTap. I am nor sure if the Xylo USB interface supports SignalTap back to Quartus or not. Otherwise, you have to write your own logic analyze rand insert it into the design, bringing signals out to pins you can probe with external test equipment. Or maybe your logic design is already pushing the limits of the FPGA and there is no room inside for SignalTap or your own logic analyzer module. I recently purchased a low cost logic analyzer to supplement my higher end analyzer, and find it useful for FPGA projects. YMMV, no financial interest, etc. http://www.pctestinstruments.com/ FPGAs are powerful, and flexible. They are the hardware equivalent of a CPU. And like a CPU, learning to tame them, feed them, and train them to do what you want is an experience that can be exhilarating as well as extremely frustrating. Persevere! 73, Lyle KK7P
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
The FPGA equivalent is to do a syntax check and correct any errors there, then run a simulation of the input (if using VHDL or Verilog) to ensure the logic design seems to be OK. You then compile it, and then run the simulation on the output of the compiler, because it will sometimes (usually?) infer things from your statements that you did not intend. After place and route, you back-annotate and simulate again. Then you download into the logic, and see if it works! Then you try and understand why it didn't!!! I forgot to mention that FPGA software has numerous bugs, and things that should work don't. Further, things that worked on the last release often get broken in the push to add features to the new release. Xilinx and Altera, as the two gorillas in this market, are always chasing each other, rushing to outdo the other guy. Expect major releases at least every year, and minor releases/patches every few months. If you share your source code, include a note to the effect of the software release you used to compile it so anyone wanting to re-use it has a heads up in case they are suing a different version (different bugs). If you have to do some weird logic construct to work around a bug, note it in your source file. Keep a copy of the software release notes handy. For some vendors, the list is short. For others, it can run to many tens of pages. And the list is never complete... 73, Lyle KK7P
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Lyle You forgot to mention the FUN??? of adding, instantiating and debugging packages from third party sources too lazy to document - hi! Phil, K3IB - Original Message - There is enough information there to tell you the main parts on the board. You then should go to the manufacturer's website and download the data sheets and related materials regarding the specific part (the FPGA, for example) as well as the related information (Cyclone family manuals and app notes, the Quartus software and manuals, etc.). Work though any tutorials or examples you find on the software. Quartus is a very powerful tool, but it isn't just push button software. In the en d, if you are doing anything other than downloading and using the work someone else did, you will have to spend some time learning the tool. The same thing applies to the Cypress USB interface microcontroller. When learning to work with FPGAs, there are a number of general things to be aware of. If your background is using discrete logic chips, like 7400 or 4000 series (yes, that dates you as well as me) you'll quickly discover that different approaches are required. FPGAs typically have very limited global clock resources and logic should usually be designed to be synchronous to the the clocks. Asynchronous logic approaches can work, but they are much more difficult. You can't stick a capacitor or an RC network to suppress a 2 nsec wide glitch, for example, and the FPGA internal logic is fast enough to care about that glitch. With the limited clocking, it is much harder to have various counters and shift registers working at different clock rates; you have to build clock qualification circuits to enable effective division. The FPGA equivalent is to do a syntax check and correct any errors there, then run a simulation of the input (if using VHDL or Verilog) to ensure the logic design seems to be OK. You then compile it, and then run the simulation on the output of the compiler, because it will sometimes (usually?) infer things from your statements that you did not intend. After place and route, you back-annotate and simulate again. Then you download into the logic, and see if it works! Then you try and understand why it didn't!!! Also, note that different FPGAs from different manufacturers have different resources. Sometimes there are preferred ways to write the VHDL or Verilog to perform a specific type of function. Pay attention to any tips or hints or coding style information particular to the FPGA and compiler you are using. Just like writing lean software versus bloatware, you can write a logic function in different ways and the difference in results can be *huge*. Sort of like nested if-then-else versus a case statement. Sometimes one is better than the other based on the underlying architecture. For debugging any but the most trivial designs, a logic analyzer is almost indispensable. Quartus allows you to embed one in your design, called SignalTap, if you are willing to let Quartus report back to Altera what sort of designs you are doing and all sorts of other statistics. If you find this intrusive, you have the option to turn off SignalTap. I am nor sure if the Xylo USB interface supports SignalTap back to Quartus or not. Otherwise, you have to write your own logic analyze rand insert it into the design, bringing signals out to pins you can probe with external test equipment. Or maybe your logic design is already pushing the limits of the FPGA and there is no room inside for SignalTap or your own logic analyzer module. I recently purchased a low cost logic analyzer to supplement my higher end analyzer, and find it useful for FPGA projects. YMMV, no financial interest, etc. http://www.pctestinstruments.com/ FPGAs are powerful, and flexible. They are the hardware equivalent of a CPU. And like a CPU, learning to tame them, feed them, and train them to do what you want is an experience that can be exhilarating as well as extremely frustrating. Persevere! 73, Lyle KK7P ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Lyle, Speaking for all us newbie's, thanks for the FPGA overview and run down on resources. Looks like we have a lot of reading/research to do to learn about the FPGAs and related hardware and software. As you mentioned my background was also in discrete TTL logic hardware designs and I can see a different mindset is required for today's devices. Looks like a lot of work, but what fun. 73, Steve - K5FR -Original Message- From: Lyle Johnson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 11:14 AM To: Steve Nance Cc: 'richard allen'; flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update This seems to be the main site for the Xylo http://www.fpga4fun.com/board_Xylo.html. I'm looking for other info and related hardware, but am just getting started myself and about the same shape as you. There is enough information there to tell you the main parts on the board. You then should go to the manufacturer's website and download the data sheets and related materials regarding the specific part (the FPGA, for example) as well as the related information (Cyclone family manuals and app notes, the Quartus software and manuals, etc.). Work though any tutorials or examples you find on the software. Quartus is a very powerful tool, but it isn't just push button software. In the en d, if you are doing anything other than downloading and using the work someone else did, you will have to spend some time learning the tool. The same thing applies to the Cypress USB interface microcontroller. When learning to work with FPGAs, there are a number of general things to be aware of. If your background is using discrete logic chips, like 7400 or 4000 series (yes, that dates you as well as me) you'll quickly discover that different approaches are required. FPGAs typically have very limited global clock resources and logic should usually be designed to be synchronous to the the clocks. Asynchronous logic approaches can work, but they are much more difficult. You can't stick a capacitor or an RC network to suppress a 2 nsec wide glitch, for example, and the FPGA internal logic is fast enough to care about that glitch. With the limited clocking, it is much harder to have various counters and shift registers working at different clock rates; you have to build clock qualification circuits to enable effective division. If you dealt with early C compilers, you recall that you often had to examine the assembly language output and look for errors, optimizations that deleted code you really needed to run, and so forth. The FPGA equivalent is to do a syntax check and correct any errors there, then run a simulation of the input (if using VHDL or Verilog) to ensure the logic design seems to be OK. You then compile it, and then run the simulation on the output of the compiler, because it will sometimes (usually?) infer things from your statements that you did not intend. After place and route, you back-annotate and simulate again. Then you download into the logic, and see if it works! Then you try and understand why it didn't!!! Also, note that different FPGAs from different manufacturers have different resources. Sometimes there are preferred ways to write the VHDL or Verilog to perform a specific type of function. Pay attention to any tips or hints or coding style information particular to the FPGA and compiler you are using. Just like writing lean software versus bloatware, you can write a logic function in different ways and the difference in results can be *huge*. Sort of like nested if-then-else versus a case statement. Sometimes one is better than the other based on the underlying architecture. For debugging any but the most trivial designs, a logic analyzer is almost indispensable. Quartus allows you to embed one in your design, called SignalTap, if you are willing to let Quartus report back to Altera what sort of designs you are doing and all sorts of other statistics. If you find this intrusive, you have the option to turn off SignalTap. I am nor sure if the Xylo USB interface supports SignalTap back to Quartus or not. Otherwise, you have to write your own logic analyze rand insert it into the design, bringing signals out to pins you can probe with external test equipment. Or maybe your logic design is already pushing the limits of the FPGA and there is no room inside for SignalTap or your own logic analyzer module. I recently purchased a low cost logic analyzer to supplement my higher end analyzer, and find it useful for FPGA projects. YMMV, no financial interest, etc. http://www.pctestinstruments.com/ FPGAs are powerful, and flexible. They are the hardware equivalent of a CPU. And like a CPU, learning to tame them, feed them, and train them to do what you want is an experience that can be exhilarating as well as extremely frustrating. Persevere! 73, Lyle KK7P
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Looks like a lot of work, but what fun. Definitely fun! Lyle
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Hi Bob ( others),Once you get into it, you'll probably find that FPGA programming is not that difficult, and, given the power of the tools, can be much less frustrating than straight digital design. I was dragged into the Verilog world a few years ago for work, and have been using the Altera tools exclusively (initially MaxPlusII, and now Quartus). I'll admit that I'm not expert on the tools, but the Quartus environment supplies me with all I need, and I haven't had the need (yet) to learn other tools or techniques (including Test Benches). You'll find that being able to simulate your designs on the computer (with Quartus)is a huge plus. Functional simulations are timing-diagram driven - you "draw" your inputs, press a "button", and the tool will plot the outputs you've selected. Makes the debug process *much* faster. And Altera's SignalTapII feature, which allows you to "create" a logic analyzer within a part that's powered-up and running so that you can monitor its internal operation, is invaluable when working with BGA parts buried traces. However - it requires a JTAG interface to the part and a special interface module (I'm using Altera's "USB-Blaster). But if you aren't working with a BGA part, you don't have to use SignalTap. In the past, when I didn't have SignalTap to use, I'd write special code to route "selected"internal signals to unused (or seldomly-used) I/O pins so that I could monitor them with test equipment.Anyway - please consider me a resource as you start to work on your projects. Again, I'm no expert (not by any stretch of the imagination), but I have written Verilog code for a few projects, and I have used the Altera tools (which can be obscure at times), so I might be able to lend a hand if someone runs into a stumbling block.(By the way - Quartus has an "archive" feature that allows convenient passing of a Project from one person to another).73,- Jeff, WA6AHLSteve Nance [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Lyle,Speaking for all us newbie's, thanks for the FPGA overview and run down onresources. Looks like we have a lot of reading/research to do to learn aboutthe FPGAs and related hardware and software.As you mentioned my background was also in discrete TTL logic hardwaredesigns and I can see a different mindset is required for today's devices.Looks like a lot of work, but what fun.73,Steve - K5FR
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Ah. One of the things gone with the Forums is the TeamSpeak link. Remind me when the get-together is tonight? Chris AE6VK From: ecellison [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 12:20 PMTo: 'Jeff Anderson'; flexradio@flex-radio.bizSubject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Jeff, Lyle, Steve, Phillip and others Thanks for the wonderful comments. IT IS FUN! Will discuss on Teamspeak tonight also. I know PhilH will be there and give us an update on the work he was doing yesterday. Xylo-Phreaks dont miss it, more to come.. Here are some of the references which came off Phil Covingtons N8VBs blog: Source of the Xylo Kit: http://www.fpga4fun.com/board_Xylo.html Verilog tutorial - look at ONLINE MANUAL - http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Teach/Verilog/ More Verilog sites from N8VB http://www.asic-world.com/verilog/veritut.html http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~thomas/VSLIDES.pdf http://www.web-ee.com/primers/files/VlogIntro.pdf http://www.doulos.com/knowhow/verilog_designers_guide/ http://www.sutherland-hdl.com/on-line_ref_guide/vlog_ref_top.html http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/cs141/resources/verilog-tutorial.pdf http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~shams/97350/PetervrlK.pdf Also check out Opencores, Which is basically free hardware, with a public domain buss between cores called Wishbone. http://www.opencores.org/ C U later Eric2 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Jeff AndersonSent: Friday, December 02, 2005 2:04 PMTo: flexradio@flex-radio.bizSubject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Hi Bob ( others), Once you get into it, you'll probably find that FPGA programming is not that difficult, and, given the power of the tools, can be much less frustrating than straight digital design. I was dragged into the Verilog world a few years ago for work, and have been using the Altera tools exclusively (initially MaxPlusII, and now Quartus). I'll admit that I'm not expert on the tools, but the Quartus environment supplies me with all I need, and I haven't had the need (yet) to learn other tools or techniques (including Test Benches). You'll find that being able to simulate your designs on the computer (with Quartus)is a huge plus. Functional simulations are timing-diagram driven - you "draw" your inputs, press a "button", and the tool will plot the outputs you've selected. Makes the debug process *much* faster. And Altera's SignalTapII feature, which allows you to "create" a logic analyzer within a part that's powered-up and running so that you can monitor its internal operation, is invaluable when working with BGA parts buried traces. However - it requires a JTAG interface to the part and a special interface module (I'm using Altera's "USB-Blaster). But if you aren't working with a BGA part, you don't have to use SignalTap. In the past, when I didn't have SignalTap to use, I'd write special code to route "selected"internal signals to unused (or seldomly-used) I/O pins so that I could monitor them with test equipment. Anyway - please consider me a resource as you start to work on your projects. Again, I'm no expert (not by any stretch of the imagination), but I have written Verilog code for a few projects, and I have used the Altera tools (which can be obscure at times), so I might be able to lend a hand if someone runs into a stumbling block. (By the way - Quartus has an "archive" feature that allows convenient passing of a Project from one person to another). 73, - Jeff, WA6AHLSteve Nance [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Lyle,Speaking for all us newbie's, thanks for the FPGA overview and run down onresources. Looks like we have a lot of reading/research to do to learn aboutthe FPGAs and related hardware and software.As you mentioned my background was also in discrete TTL logic hardwaredesigns and I can see a different mindset is required for today's devices.Looks like a lot of work, but what fun.73,Steve - K5FR
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Chris Ah yes mentioned to some.. and by others. Ill recreate it and all the Teamspeak forum links in the near future! News later. Time is 8:00 Eastern Standard Time. Sub about 4 hrs! I will publish the audio Chris! Thanks Eric2 From: Christopher T. Day [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 4:36 PM To: ecellison; Jeff Anderson; flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: RE: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Ah. One of the things gone with the Forums is the TeamSpeak link. Remind me when the get-together is tonight? Chris AE6VK From: ecellison [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 12:20 PM To: 'Jeff Anderson'; flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Jeff, Lyle, Steve, Phillip and others Thanks for the wonderful comments. IT IS FUN! Will discuss on Teamspeak tonight also. I know PhilH will be there and give us an update on the work he was doing yesterday. Xylo-Phreaks dont miss it, more to come.. Here are some of the references which came off Phil Covingtons N8VBs blog: Source of the Xylo Kit: http://www.fpga4fun.com/board_Xylo.html Verilog tutorial - look at ONLINE MANUAL - http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Teach/Verilog/ More Verilog sites from N8VB http://www.asic-world.com/verilog/veritut.html http://www.ece.cmu.edu/~thomas/VSLIDES.pdf http://www.web-ee.com/primers/files/VlogIntro.pdf http://www.doulos.com/knowhow/verilog_designers_guide/ http://www.sutherland-hdl.com/on-line_ref_guide/vlog_ref_top.html http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/cs141/resources/verilog-tutorial.pdf http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~shams/97350/PetervrlK.pdf Also check out Opencores, Which is basically free hardware, with a public domain buss between cores called Wishbone. http://www.opencores.org/ C U later Eric2 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Jeff Anderson Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 2:04 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update Hi Bob ( others), Once you get into it, you'll probably find that FPGA programming is not that difficult, and, given the power of the tools, can be much less frustrating than straight digital design. I was dragged into the Verilog world a few years ago for work, and have been using the Altera tools exclusively (initially MaxPlusII, and now Quartus). I'll admit that I'm not expert on the tools, but the Quartus environment supplies me with all I need, and I haven't had the need (yet) to learn other tools or techniques (including Test Benches). You'll find that being able to simulate your designs on the computer (with Quartus)is a huge plus. Functional simulations are timing-diagram driven - you draw your inputs, press a button, and the tool will plot the outputs you've selected. Makes the debug process *much* faster. And Altera's SignalTapII feature, which allows you to create a logic analyzer within a part that's powered-up and running so that you can monitor its internal operation, is invaluable when working with BGA parts buried traces. However - it requires a JTAG interface to the part and a special interface module (I'm using Altera's USB-Blaster). But if you aren't working with a BGA part, you don't have to use SignalTap. In the past, when I didn't have SignalTap to use, I'd write special code to route selectedinternal signals to unused (or seldomly-used) I/O pins so that I could monitor them with test equipment. Anyway - please consider me a resource as you start to work on your projects. Again, I'm no expert (not by any stretch of the imagination), but I have written Verilog code for a few projects, and I have used the Altera tools (which can be obscure at times), so I might be able to lend a hand if someone runs into a stumbling block. (By the way - Quartus has an archive feature that allows convenient passing of a Project from one person to another). 73, - Jeff, WA6AHL Steve Nance [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Lyle, Speaking for all us newbie's, thanks for the FPGA overview and run down on resources. Looks like we have a lot of reading/research to do to learn about the FPGAs and related hardware and software. As you mentioned my background was also in discrete TTL logic hardware designs and I can see a different mindset is required for today's devices. Looks like a lot of work, but what fun. 73, Steve - K5FR
Re: [Flexradio] Xylo Update
Don't forget an excellent FPGA article by John KD6OZH in the Oct/Nov 2004 QEX issue where he describes the details of his SDR RX/TX platform. de Ken N9VV
Re: [Flexradio] Another Xylo fiddler
Apparently, I out-voted myself somehow. I couldn't find any free Subversion hosters quickly - N8VB's suggestion never answered my browser - so I went ahead and applied for and received a SourceForge project. I just got it today and I haven't run one of these before, but I've used them a moderate amount. They are certainly the Big Mozilla of Open Software hosting. CVS, unfortunately, but one can't have everything. I cast the request as someplace where we could start with an Open, i.e., GPL, VHDL for a replacement PIO board for the SDR-1000, but suggested to the powers-that-be that all of PowerSDR might wind up there if folks want it to. As long as all that software remains under the GPL, that should be ok with them. The Project seems to come with a CVS server, a Web server - http://softwareradio.sourceforge.net [I haven't put anything there yet.] - access to compile farms, project forums, and a whole lot of tools I haven't had a chance to look at yet. It may take a day or so for the domain name to percolate out into DNS land. The Project name is Software Radios, which was not the best choice since there seems to also be a Software Radio project. Oh, well. So, any interest is using this resource? Chris AE6VK P.S. - I won't give up on Subversion, but use it on my own machine and check code in periodically into the SourceForge CVS. -Original Message- From: Christopher T. Day Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 7:42 PM To: ecellison; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; John Denson Cc: FlexRadio Reflector Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Another Xylo fiddler If I get a vote, I want to cast it, several times, if possible, for Subversion over CVS. It is aa much improved update of the same idea. Download from http://subversion.tigris.org/. For Windows users, Also download http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/, a very easy-to-use GUI for Subversion that integrates directly into the Explorer. Chris AE6VK
[Flexradio] Teamspeak Audio - 12-03-05 - Just too many fun things going on
Floks I have to work this weekend so cant make a detailed excerpt. Record 35 check ins (Thanks Ken N9VV!) Xylo-Phreaks unite others jumping on chip. Prototype board possible in future. Many comments Gerald fills in with Software progress and answers many questions before having to go wash the dishes. Dales hamsdr.com website to host SVN for PowerSDR,Linux-SDR-1000 and Xylo board development as well as new SDR-1000 forum (thanks Dale) Comments on UCB and Poor Mans UCB Discussions on just about everything. http://flex-radio-friends.net/AVI/tsforums/tsforumaudio-12-03-05.mp3 Thanks CU on Teamspeak!
[Flexradio] Interesting behavior when connected to a dummy load
Title: Interesting behavior when connected to a dummy load I was testing tonight into a dummy load and noticed some very peculiar behavior. When connected to the dummy load on 14.179 MHz (USB) I see the noise floor (signal) in the panadapter as a flat line from -10K to +10K Hz at about -145 dBm. That looks good to me Now I change frequency to 14.178 MHz and I see the signal rise to -130 dBm between -10K and -9.5K Hz. It is flat at -145dBm across the rest of the spectrum. Looks like more noise on the low end. Not so good. If I change the frequency the to 14.177 MHz I see the signal rise to -113 dBm between -10K and -9.5K Hz. It is flat at -145dBm across the rest of the spectrum This shows a *lot* more noise. Here come the strange part. I change the frequency to 14.176 MHz and the signal looks just like the signal on 14.179. Flat across the entire spectrum at -145 dBm. By changing the frequency down one kHz to 14.175, I see the signal that looks like 14.178 MHz. A small rise to -130 dBm at the low end again. If I decrement the frequency down an additional kHz to 14.174, I see the signal that looks like 14.177 MHz. A large rise to -113 dBm at the low end again. This pattern repeats itself through out the entire 20 meter band. The rise in the noise floor is a little less in magnitude at the very bottom of 20 meters (14.050), but by the time I get to 14.150 the rise in the noise floor is back to approximately -110 dBm. I checked other bands and it exhibits this behavior on ALL bands. Always a three kHz stepping to repeat the pattern. Anyone have a clue what might cause this behavior? I'm using the Delta 44 with the breakout box eliminator. -Tim --- Tim Ellison Integrated Technical Services Apex, NC USA 919.674.0044 Ext. 25 / 919.674.0045 (FAX) 919.215.6375 - cell Skype: kg4rzy smime.p7s Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature
