The frequency synthesizer supports several operating modes:
- signal source controlled from the PC;
- autonomous signal source which can generate four frequencies preprogrammed by the user;
- beacon, which can send CW text/tones and scan up to four frequencies.
All beacon parameters are user programmable with help of our PLL software included in this KIT.
Documentation
Latest update — Rev. 4 (Release date — 2019-09-14):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/pdf/LO-PLL-USB-User-Manual.pdf
New in Hardware Rev. 4:
– ultra low noise voltage regulator is used to power analog part of the synthesizer. It improves phase noise performance;
– external reference use indication;
– external reference switch allows easy switching between internal/external reference.
Software
Latest update — ver. 3.8.1 (Release date — 2020-01-27):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-8-1.zip
Software archive
Ver. 3.8.1 (Release date — 2020-01-27):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-8-1.zip
– fixed: external reference input may not turn on when setting external reference frequency equal or more then 100 MHz.
Ver. 3.8 (Release date — 2019-11-17):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-8.zip
Ver. 3.7 (Release date — 2019-09-14):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-7.zip
– support for ver. 4.00.0446 firmware;
– selectable functionality of the outputs 1 & 2 (frequency code / PTT+keing);
– now synthesizer chip is correctly determined when external reference with frequency different from 10MHz is used (HW v4 only).
Ver. 3.6 (Release date — 2019-05-16):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-6.zip
– Fixed. Now the synthesizer turns off normally when working on the second band.
– Added “demo” mode. Select the item “Demo” in the “Port” list and click “Connect”.
Ver. 3.5 (Release date — 2019-04-28):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-5.zip
– Frequencies outside the synthesizer chip frequency range can be saved to the board flash memory (for example, 6010MHz or 12024MHz);
– Frequencies outside the synthesizer chip frequency range are highlighted with orange background;
– The synthesizer chip output power is fixed at -1dBm for the 2nd band to conform doubler chip specifications (SHF boards only);
– Fixed a bug with incorrect band selection when reading a configuration from the file (SHF boards only);
– Frequency tuning with a mouse wheel and UP/DOWN keys. Just place the caret on the digit you want to change and turn the mouse wheel or press UP/DOWN keys;
– COM ports list refreshes “on the fly”.
Ver. 3.4 (Release date — 2019-03-21):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-4.zip
– SHF synthesizer module support.
Ver. 3.2 (Release date — 2018-09-14):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3-2.zip
– Added the ability to automatically determine synthesizer chip type;
– Beacon mode improvements.
Ver. 3.0 (Release date — 2018-05-25):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v3.zip
– New hardware v3 support, on board USB interface;
– Firmware is user upgradeable now.
Ver. 2.0 (Release date — 2018-04-03):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v2.zip
– New hardware v2 support, USB-UART interface;
– External reference support.
Ver. 1.1 (Release date — 2018-01-22):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/SynProg-v1-1.zip
– Initial release, USB-UART interface.
Firmware
Warning!
Firwmare update is possible since HW release 3 or higher. Updating the boards ver. 2 or 1 is not possible.
Compatible with all PLL boards (since microUSB interface was added ver. 3 or higher)
Ver. 0477U (Release date — 2021-01-27):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0477U.zip
– minor changes
Firmware archive
For PLL-SHF boards, compatible with ver. 3 SHF boards only:
Ver. 0477U (Release date — 2021-01-27):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0477U.zip
– minor changes
Ver. 0446U (Release date — 2019-09-14):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0446U.zip
– support of PTT/keying output to pins 1 & 2 on the board
For PLL-SHF boards, compatible with ver. 3 SHF boards only:
Ver. 0390SHF (Release date — 2019-03-21):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0390SHF.zip
– Initial SHF synthesizer module support.
For PLL boards, compatible with ver. 3 boards only:
Ver. 0390 (Release date — 2019-03-21):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0390.zip
– Support of frequency code output to pins 1 and 2 on the board.
Ver. 0375 (Release date — 2018-09-30):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0375.zip
– Minor changes.
Ver. 0373 (Release date — 2018-09-14):
https://vhfdesign.com/data/zip/main0373.zip
– First release.
Schematics
Layout
PLL USB ADF4350 specifications
- KIT: LO-PLL-USB-ADF4350
- Based on: ADF4350
- RF Range: 140 — 4400 MHz
- Output power: > 10 dBm
- TCXO stability: typ. +/- 0.5 ppm @ 10 MHz
- PCB dimensions, mm: 54 x 29 x 6
- Supply operation: +5 V DC at IDQ < 150 mA
- Weight: 10 g
Package contents
- 1 x LO-PLL-USB-ADF4350
PLL USB ADF4351 specifications
- KIT: LO-PLL-USB-ADF4351
- Based on: ADF4351
- RF Range: 50 — 4400 MHz
- Output power: > 10 dBm
- TCXO stability: typ. +/- 0.5 ppm @ 10 MHz
- PCB dimensions, mm: 54 x 29 x 6
- Supply operation: +5 V DC at IDQ < 150 mA
- Weight: 10 g
Package contents
- 1 x LO-PLL-USB-ADF4351
PLL USB MAX2871 specifications
- KIT: LO-PLL-USB-MAX2871
- Based on: MAX2871
- RF Range: 50 — 6000 MHz
- Output power: > 10 dBm
- TCXO stability: typ. +/- 0.5 ppm @ 10 MHz
- PCB dimensions, mm: 54 x 29 x 6
- Supply operation: +5 V DC at IDQ < 150 mA
- Weight: 10 g
Package contents
- 1 x LO-PLL-USB-MAX2871
Optionally, package contents may be supplied with USB Type A – USB Type B 5 pin cable for PC connection. Notify us in case you need it.
General inquiries:
admin@vhfdesign.com
Technical support:
ur3iqo@vhfdesign.com
Check the availability:
https://vhfdesign.com/kits/list