Minimum Complexity Wideband RF Synthesizer from 10MHz...1400MHz¹ with USB Control based on SiLabs SI570 and Atmel AVR

featured by the QRP2008-Team: G0BBL, G8BTR, M0PUB, PE1NNZ, DG8SAQ

page updated January 22th, 2010

New:

1. Note, that the SI570 comes in several versions, most of which (e.g. the CMOS version) are not capable of working up to 1.4 GHz! I have used the fastest available LVDS version here. For more information on different speed grades look at the most recent SiLabs SI570 data sheet.

22.10.2010: New firmware for LCD support uploaded, see Funkamateur 2/2010
04.9.2008: New, simpler to use version of USB_Synth uploaded
30.7.2008: Firmware version V1.4 uploaded.
18.7.2008: Uploaded a new easy to use PC-program to control the synthesizer via USB.

Kits: You can buy kits here.

This project uses the Silicon Labs Chip SI570, a so called "ANY-RATE I2C PROGRAMMABLE XO", which is a 7x5mm² 10 pin integrated frequency synthesizer, that can generate almost any frequency between 10MHz and 1400MHz. The chip is programmable via an I2C Interface. We use an ATMEL AVR together with  Objective Development's freeware USB solution for linking the synthesizer to the PC USB-Interface. The USB-Interface is based on ObDevs reference design Easylogger. This way, a very simple solution with only 3 small ICs including the voltage regulator could be achieved:

Here are photographs of some boards:

First prototype, top view with ATTiny45 and voltage regulator and USB connector:

Bottom view with SI570 (silvery rectangle):

Final board top, partially assembled:

Final board, partially assembled, bottom:

Here you can buy:

Kits, boards and special components will be available from DL based Funkamateur for German customers and from UK-based SDR-Kits for other country customers.

Here you can download Software and Schematics:

I have written the host (=PC) software in Delphi, but there are also a lot of demos coded in C on Objective Development's webpage.
The binaries and sources of the firmware and Delphi host software including a free LibUSB driver can be downloaded from here.

Also available: Easy to use PC software to control the synthesizer.
 

The firmware is written in a flexible way allowing to interface any I2C-device without firmware changes. Only the host software has to be adapted. A more detailed description of the device and software is published in the June 2008 issue of  Funkamateur.

Feedback is welcome!

mailto: dg8saq@darc.de

73, Tom DG8SAQ