Penelope - What is it?
Penelope (DUCk), a 1/2-watt transmitter/exciter board, is a companion to the forthcoming Mercury HF direct sampling receiver board. The Atlas (bus) compatible Penelope transmitter uses Digital Up Conversion (DUC) techniques and processes the I and Q signals from the PC (or Sasquatch DSP board) directly without the need for a sound card.
Penelope - What it is not!
It does not function as a stand alone card. It requires the Atlas back-plane and the Ozy card connected to a PC running PowerSDR to provide a functional transmitter.
Penelope - Features
1.8 - 55MHz frequency coverage
0.5W pep output
Low level transverter output
SSB, AM, C-AM, FM, CW, PSK etc
RF phase and magnitude outputs for future Envelope Elimination and
Restoration (EER) power amplifier
Open drain FET for PTT control of external amplifiers
Seven open collector outputs for Linear, relay, etc. control
Optional on board microphone ADC or use with a Janus card
Audio output for future projects or alternative to Janus card
Frequency options:
- On board high performance 122.88 MHz crystal oscillator phase locked to on board 10MHz TCXO or external 10MHz reference e.g. Gibraltar.
- 122.88MHz output available via LVDS
- Optional external VHF clock input via LVDS
- 10MHz TCXO available via Atlas bus
Atlas bus compatible, USB interface to PC via Ozy board
I and Q balanced adjustment not required due to digital generation of RF waveform
ADC for ALC or PA linearization etc.
ALC processed in the FPGA to avoid delays associated with PC processing
Supported by PowerSDR(TM) SDR software.
When will Penelope be delivered?
Due to the high cost of producing this board, it is necessary to collect funds prior to shipment of product. Funds will need to be collected by March 3, 2008. Assembled boards are expected to ship on or before May 15, 2008.
Penelope Warranty
Penelope IS SOLD ON AN AS-IS BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
All Penelope boards will be tested prior to shipment, and all boards will be working when they are shipped. To the extent that we have available inventory, we may, at our discretion, agree to a one time only exchange.
This is a low volume production, experimental item. TAPR is a small, not- for-profit organization of volunteers who have helped facilitate this project because we believe it is a cool thing to have. In order for TAPR to be able to offer this board at all, we must rely on the support of all users in the HPSDR community. The Penelope board is basically a group buy that we have chosen to pre-build because of the difficulty of assembly. TAPR expects that Penelope buyers will seek help on the HPSDR Discussion List before looking to TAPR for problem resolution.
Support
Support will be provided via the HPSDR Discussion List.
Because TAPR is not staffed to provide support for Penelope, and because the knowledge to support users resides with the developers and users on the HPSDR Discussion List , buyers should participate in that forum for support.
Firmware and software will be available for download from the HPSDR website.
Assembled and Tested
Ordering Information
Sorry, this item is no longer available
Bare PCB
Ordering Information
The price for the Penelope Bare PCB is:- $ 29 US for members of TAPR
- $ 32 US for non-members
+ shipping/handling if applicable.
(Place Web Order)
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and Handling within the US will be by USPS unless otherwise requested by purchaser.International Shoppers will be contacted by the TAPR office with a quote on the shipping costs to your country. TAPR uses Insured Air Mail, unless the purchaser requires something else.
Penlope Partial Kit
IC WILL BE FACTORY SEALED AND NO RETURNS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Bare PCB + 122.88 MHz low jitter VCXO
Ordering Information
The price for the Penelope Partial Kit is:- $ 72 US for members of TAPR
- $ 79 US for non-members
+ shipping/handling if applicable.
(Place Web Order)
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and Handling within the US will be by USPS unless otherwise requested by purchaser.International Shoppers will be contacted by the TAPR office with a quote on the shipping costs to your country. TAPR uses Insured Air Mail, unless the purchaser requires something else.
Other HPSDR kits
Atlas ... Read more.
Janus ... Read more.
Ozymandias (Ozy) ... Read more.
Pinocchio ... Read more.
