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David Allcock edited this page Sep 2, 2018 · 12 revisions

This page is no longer updated. Please visit https://github.com/sinara-hw/Booster/wiki for recent updates.

Booster is an eight channel RF power amplifier, providing up to 4W (1dB compression) between 40MHz and 500MHz. Mounted in a compact 2U thick 19'' chassis, it is optimised for low cost and low power consumption, while providing good RF performance. It provides full interlocking and logging via a flexible ethernet-based remote interface.

Design mock up mechanical design

Overview

  • Bandwidth: 40MHz to 500MHz
  • P1db: 36dBm min
  • Max CW output power: 38dBm min
  • Gain @1dB compression: 40dB ±1dB typ (±1.5dB max)
  • IP3: 48dBm min
  • Crosstalk: -80dB max
  • Input/output VSWR: 1.5:1 max
  • Power supply: 100VAC-240VAC, 50Hz-60Hz
  • Total power efficiency: >35% at 1dB saturation from mains to RF
  • Cost: €6000

Features

  • Text-based (SCPI-like) Ethernet interface for monitoring and configuration
  • Protection circuit shuts down individual channels in case of: input power overload; reverse power overload; channel failure. Protection tripped indicator LED for each channel on the front panel, also readable via Ethernet. Protection circuit may be reset either using push-button on front panel or via Ethernet. The input power overload threshold is user-adjustable on a per-channel basis using the Ethernet interface. This allows users to ensure that the maximum power rating of sensitive loads, such as AOMs cannot be exceeded accidentally.
  • Per-channel remote monitoring of: forward and reverse power; temperature; current and voltage.
  • Remote shut down of individual channels via Ethernet, for example to avoid power dissipation from unused channels.
  • Each channel is an independent unit for easy field replacement

Firmware Update

Linux

Required libraries: dfu-util

  • Download update.dfu file from github
  • Place jumper into DFU pins on PCB and connect USB cable
  • Run dfu-util -l and mark down alt number for Internal Flash option

dfu-util 0.9

Copyright 2005-2009 Weston Schmidt, Harald Welte and OpenMoko Inc. Copyright 2010-2016 Tormod Volden and Stefan Schmidt This program is Free Software and has ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY Please report bugs to http://sourceforge.net/p/dfu-util/tickets/

Found DFU: [0483:df11] ver=2200, devnum=29, cfg=1, intf=0, path="3-5", alt=3, name="@Device Feature/0xFFFF0000/01004 e", serial="377533563436"
Found DFU: [0483:df11] ver=2200, devnum=29, cfg=1, intf=0, path="3-5", alt=2, name="@OTP Memory /0x1FFF7800/01512 e,01016 e", serial="377533563436"
Found DFU: [0483:df11] ver=2200, devnum=29, cfg=1, intf=0, path="3-5", alt=1, name="@Option Bytes /0x1FFFC000/01016 e", serial="377533563436"
Found DFU: [0483:df11] ver=2200, devnum=29, cfg=1, intf=0, path="3-5", alt=0, name="@Internal Flash /0x08000000/04016Kg,01064Kg,07*128Kg", serial="377533563436"

  • Run command dfu-util -D update.dfu -a 0, with selected memory region alt number
  • Wait for operation to complete, then remove jumper and reboot device

Windows

  • Download application DfuSe Demo
  • Download firmware update file from github
  • Place jumper into DFU pins on PCB and connect USB cable
  • Run DfuSeDemo
  • Select Internal Flash from Select target(s) menu.
  • In Upgrade or Verify Action click Choose and select firmware update file
  • Click Yes in dialog box
  • Wait for operation to complete, then remove jumper and reboot device

SCPI Network commands

  • CHANnel:ENABle - enable power for selected channel (channel mask is binary representation for each channel eg. 00000011 = 3 enables channel 0 and 1)
  • CHANnel:DISABle - disable power for selected channel (channel mask is binary representation for each channel eg. 00000011 = 3 enables channel 0 and 1)
  • CHANnel:START - enable input switch for selected channel (channel mask is binary representation for each channel eg. 00000011 = 3 enables channel 0 and 1)
  • CHANnel:STOP - disable input switch for selected channel (channel mask is binary representation for each channel eg. 00000011 = 3 enables channel 0 and 1)
  • CHANnel:STATus? - return status code for each channel (bit mask)

enabled = 1
switch enabled = 2
channel alert = 4
channel overvoltage = 8

  • CHANnel:MEASure:VOLTage? - return RF power measurements for each channel (16 values = 2 per channel)
  • CHANnel:MEASure:CURRent? - return channel power measurements for negative voltage, 8V and 29V (24 values = 3 per channel)
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