USB D/A interface for SATSAGEN

A USB D/A interface for SATSAGEN to output analog sweep ramp (0-10Vpp)

USBDAALBFER is a multi-purpose interface SATSAGEN compatible with driving external systems, like an SNA that accepts horizontal input with ~ 10Vpp for sweep operations. Moreover, this interface makes analog inputs available to enable triggers or connect Log Detectors. It can be connected to an ADF5355 board from Arduino code version 4.1 and SATSAGEN v. 0.6.0.3.

Some basics about the multi-purpose interface for SATSAGEN (Video)

AD8317/AD8318 Log Detector devices interface for SATSAGEN (Video)

ADF5355 Synthesizer board interface for SATSAGEN (Video)

SATSAGEN INTERFACE by Franck F1SSF (Article - English)

SATSAGEN INTERFACE di Franck F1SSF (Article - Italian)

Arduino code

Schematics

ADF5355 interface

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • ADF5355 board
  • 5k trimmer
  • 100NF capacitor
  • 6 X 1K resistors
  • 3 X 560 resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


ADF4351 interface

Satsagen 0.9.2.0

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • ADF4351 board
  • 5k trimmer
  • 100NF capacitor
  • 6 X 1K resistors
  • 3 X 560 resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


Si5351 interface

Satsagen 0.9.2.0

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • Si5351 board
  • 5k trimmer
  • 100NF capacitor
  • 3 X 1K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


LOG DETECTOR devices interface

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • AD831x LOG DETECTOR module (AD8317 and AD8318 supported)
  • 5k trimmer
  • 100NF capacitor
  • 3 X 1K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


Triggers input interface

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • 5k trimmer
  • 100NF capacitor
  • 3 X 1K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


PWM D/A converter

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • Step-up module 5V to 15V
  • LM358 or equivalent
  • 1uF capacitor
  • 1K, 4K7, 33K, and 47K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


D/A converter MCP4725 based

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • Step-up module 5V to 15V
  • MCP4725 module
  • LM358 or equivalent
  • 10NF capacitor
  • 1K, 4K7, 33K, and 91K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


Noise Source power switch

Simple version

Risk of damaging the Noise Source module! Do not use the XL6009-based step-up module for this application. The XL6009 can reach 50 Volts of unstabilized output in some input voltage conditions below 4 Volts. Use a traditional 28-volt stabilized power instead or an MT3608-based step-up module

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • Step-up module 5V to 29V MT3608-based
  • 1K, 560, and 10K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic

Noise source power switch

with a voltage control feature

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • Step-up module 5V to 28V MT3608-based
  • 1K, 4k7, 28k, 33k, 47k, 100k, and a 180K resistors
  • 5k trimmer
  • 1uF, 47uF, and a 100uF capacitors
  • NPN transistor, and a PNP transistor like 2N5551 and 2N5401
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LEDs

Schematic



VNA RF Switch

Components

  • Microcontroller like an Arduino Nano
  • RF Switch module HMC536-based
  • 1K, 47K resistors
  • Momentary switch NO
  • LED

Schematic


All schematics can be mixed into one interface (except PWM and MCP4725 D/A).

The Arduino’s code is suitable for all schematics.


Arduino Code

Latest release:

usbdaalbfer4.8.zip  v.4.8

   -Fix EEPROM corruption blocks the Noise Source power interface operations

Uncomment #define NSPVC line if you use this schematic or Franck's interface to enable the noise source power voltage control feature

Older versions:

usbdaalbfer4.6.zip  v.4.6

   -Fix the switch to change the interface mode cannot be used when the noise source power control is enabled

Uncomment #define NSPVC line if you use this schematic or Franck's interface to enable the noise source power voltage control feature

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart is required.
usbdaalbfer4.5.zip  v.4.5

   -Source Noise power voltage control feature

Uncomment #define NSPVC line if you use this schematic to enable voltage control feature

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart is required.
usbdaalbfer4.4.zip  v.4.4

   -Source Noise power driving
   -VNA RF switch driving

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart is required.
usbdaalbfer4.2.zip  v.4.2

   -ADF5355 The library code was rewritten
   -ADF5355 Resolution by 1Hz steps, XO correction

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart is required.
usbdaalbfer4.1.zip  v.4.1

   -ADF5355 support

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart  is required.
usbdaalbfer31.ino  v.3.1

Allows these SATSAGEN operations:

   -Analog trigger inputs
   -Analog ramp output with PWM or a dedicated D/A chip if available
   -Analog log detectors input
   -And for future development: RF switches driving

The MCP4725 library version 0.3.2 by Rob Tillaart is required.
usbdaalbfer2.ino  v.2.0

This version can be used for the real-time triggers feature of SATSAGEN v.0.5.0.2!
usbdaalbfer.ino   v.1.0