RF-System TinyGate Assembly And User's Manual
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RF-System TinyGate Assembly And User's Manual

Usb digimode interface
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TinyGate
USB Digimode Interface
Instructions for Assembly
and user's manual
(Last change: 19/07/2017)

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Summary of Contents for RF-System TinyGate

  • Page 1 TinyGate USB Digimode Interface Instructions for Assembly and user's manual (Last change: 19/07/2017)
  • Page 2 The contents of this document (of a merely exemplary function and thus non-exhaustive: docu- ments, texts, images, audio and video data, logos, brands, all hereafter referred to as "Con- tents") are the exclusive property of the RF-SYSTEM and thus protected by the current legisla- tion regarding copyright protection.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Table of contents Introduction ..............................5 Warnings ..............................6 Disclaimer ..............................6 Technical characteristics ..........................8 Technical specifications ..........................10 Before beginning ............................12 Soldering advice ............................13 Preparation and setup ..........................14 Assembly ..............................
  • Page 4 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions CAT / CI-V power supply ........................47 PTT / CW / FSK outputs ..........................49 SQL (COR) Input ............................52 Test – Initial operation ..........................55 Windows XP ............................56 Windows 7 ............................. 59 Windows 10 ............................

  • Page 5: Introduction

    CAT / CI-V interface and a PTT / SQL / CW / FSK with a galvanic isolation between the transceiver and the PC with transformers and optocouplers. The TinyGate Interface can be used with a wide variety of software applications for digital modes, which are available as freeware, shareware or as commercial products.

  • Page 6: Warnings

    JP1 socket must be configured correctly. Incorrect configuration of these bridges may cause damage to the TinyGate and/or to the connected transceiver or re- ceiver. · It is advised that the parts are kept out of reach of children and away from pets, as they are a choking hazard.
  • Page 7 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions · When using a soldering iron, place it down only once the rod has cooled down properly. · Do not solder on live circuits. · Carefully follow the instructions provided in this manual.

  • Page 8: Technical Characteristics

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Technical characteristics 3-in-1 USB interface, just only one USB cable to your PC: built-in USB • 2.0 High speed Hub Full galvanic isolation between radio and USB interface • • Integrated USB sound device:...
  • Page 9 All communication software which support a standard sound card • and a serial port for the PTT can work with the TinyGate. Due the in- dependent sound interface and COM-Ports it can be used also with any combination of CAT, remote operation and data software like MixW, Hamradio Deluxe, DigiPan, MixW, FLDigi, RemAud etc.

  • Page 10: Technical Specifications

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Technical specifications • USB 2.0 High speed interface • USB Power requirements: 5V, max. 120mA • Board size: 65x80mm • USB sound interface (codec): Chip: CMedia CM108AH 48 / 44.1kHz Sampling Rate for Both Playback (D/A) and Recording...
  • Page 11 Chip: FTDI FT232RL • Multi-Standard: CAT, FIF-232 (5V TTL), IF-232 (5V TTL), Inverted (for Elecraft, only for TinyGate board revision B). Max. guaranteed serial baudrate: 19200 baud Interface power: external powered from the transceiver / internal powered from the USB (internal powered works only without galvanic isolation) PTT output: reed relay driven from RTS, max.

  • Page 12: Before Beginning

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Before beginning The assembly procedure of the TinyGate may be facilitated by certain small steps: · Organise the work space for the procedure. · Preferably use a wooden table with a sheet of antistatic map placed on top to prevent any parts that may fall from bouncing to the ground.

  • Page 13: Soldering Advice

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Soldering advice For the assembly of the kit, no particularly sophisticated soldering equipment is necessary. Even with a good pen soldering tool (at least 30 watts of power) you can obtain optimum results. The key point for successful soldering is cer- tainly the state of the tip.

  • Page 14: Preparation And Setup

    Preparation and setup The pack containing the TinyGate kit has finally arrived, so, remembering what was said in the first section, the necessity is for a space that allows us to work com- fortably and calmly.

  • Page 15: Assembly

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Assembly Circuit board Once the preparations are complete, you may proceed with the assembly of the small parts remaining to be soldered. The parts represented in the follow- ing figures may be slightly different from those present in the kit.
  • Page 16 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions List of the parts to be soldered Pos. Description Desc. To USB connector Jack stereo 3.5mm RCA connector (insert the part completely until the 6 white plugs are inserted entirely in the printed circuit)
  • Page 17 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Dual LED (Red/Green) This led block should be aligned with the edge of the printed circuit. H / I Potentiometers 10kOhm with dial R2 / R3 knobs P a g e...
  • Page 18 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...
  • Page 19 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions For the relay (F) there are present overall in the printed circuit 7 holes with associated soldering pads. Nonetheless, the relay has only four pins: this is be- cause the board is prepared for two different relays with different pinout pitch.
  • Page 20 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions View of the full assembled board: P a g e...

  • Page 21: Enclosure Kit - Box

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Enclosure kit - Box There is also available an enclosure kit for the TinyGate, cut to fit the TinyGate board and two panels which are already perforated. The two panels (front and back panel) are thus ready to be completed by ap- plying the two polyester self-adhesive labels.
  • Page 22 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The two masks have been cut with precision and for this reason they should be aligned with the centre of the holes present on the two covers. For this, we recommend you try the alignment first without taking off the protective film, because the adhesive on these masks is very strong, and so it is difficult to re- position the masks once they have been attached.

  • Page 23: Connection Cable For The Transceiver

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Connection cable for the transceiver TinyGate allows you to freely define the assignment of the pins on the RJ45 X2 connector. The transceiver is connected to this connector via a patch cable that...
  • Page 24 DATA or ACCessory socket. In the case the CAT/CI-V interface of TinyGate is not used or in cases where galvanic isolation is not required, it is not necessary to get any power supply from the transceiver.
  • Page 25 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The RCA X1 (CW / FSK) socket may for example also be used as an audio input (or else as any other kind of input or output) if there is not the need to use it as a CW/FSK output.

  • Page 26: The Transceiver Cable

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The transceiver cable With the assembly kit there is a CAT5-FTP cable provided with a shielded RJ45 connector. If the cable in the kit should have two shielded RJ45 connectors and the transceiver has a different type of connector, it is then possible to remove one of these, cutting the cable near the connector.
  • Page 27 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The shielded cable is made up of 4 twisted pairs of wires, which have the following colour code and assignment on the connector: The shield is already attached to the ground (GND signal) in a fixed way from the board via the RJ45 X2 socket.

  • Page 28: Examples Of Connection With Transceivers

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Examples of connection with transceivers In the following tables there is an illustration of the assignment of the pins and wires for the cable towards some transceivers. In any case errors are not excluded, and so, there should be...

  • Page 29: Icom Ic275, Ic725, Ic726, Ic728, Ic729, Ic735, Ic736, Ic737, Ic738, Ic746Pro, Ic756Proiii, Ic761, Ic765, Ic775, Ic781, Ic820, Ic821, Ic910, Ic970, Ic7400, Ic7600, Ic7700, Ic7800

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Icom IC275, IC725, IC726, IC728, IC729, IC735, IC736, IC737, IC738, IC746PRO, IC756PROIII, IC761, IC765, IC775, IC781, IC820, IC821, IC910, IC970, IC7400, IC7600, IC7700, IC7800 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <->ACC1):...
  • Page 30 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions JP1 - Jumpers example for the cable described above: P a g e...

  • Page 31: Yaesu Ft100D, Ft817, Ft857, Ft897

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Yaesu FT100D, FT817, FT857, FT897 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> DATA transceiver): Bridge on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on the DATA signals Rear panel view CAT PWR...
  • Page 32 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Option: CAT control via the CAT interface of the TinyGate: Pinout of the CAT cable Pin CAT Description PIN on CAT / X3 input LINEAR RX D TX D GND (Ground of the transceiver)

  • Page 33: Yaesu Ft1000 Mark-V, Ft1000, Ft990

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Yaesu FT1000 MARK-V, FT1000, FT990 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> PACKET Transceiver): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on the signals PACKET rear panel view COR / SQL...
  • Page 34 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Option: CAT control via the CAT interface of the TinyGate: Pinout of the CAT cable for FT990 and FT1000D Pin CAT Description PIN on the CAT socket X3 input 3 SERIAL IN 2 SERIAL OUT...

  • Page 35: Yaesu Ft840

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Yaesu FT840 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> Transceiver MIC and AF-OUT): Jumpers on JP1 towards Wire colour Pin on the MIC AF-OUT the signals of CAT5-FTP (front panel...
  • Page 36 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Option: CAT control via the CAT interface of the TinyGate: Pinout of the CAT cable for FT840 Pin CAT X3 Description PIN on the CAT socket Notes connector 3 SERIAL IN Add a 150 Ohm resistor...

  • Page 37: Yaesu Ft2000, Ft920

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Yaesu FT2000, FT920 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> PACKET Transceiver): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on the signals PACKET rear panel view COR / SQL...

  • Page 38: Yaesu Ft450, Ft950, Ft991

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Yaesu FT450, FT950, FT991 Icom IC2720H, IC2725E Kenwood TS480, TM255, TM455, TM-G707, TM- V7, TM-D700x The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> transceiver RTTY/PKT/DATA): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour...

  • Page 39: Kenwood Ts140, Ts440(S), Ts450S, Ts570, Ts590, Ts680, Ts690, Ts850, Ts870S, Ts940(S), Ts950S, Ts990, Ts2000(X)

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Kenwood TS140, TS440(S), TS450S, TS570, TS590, TS680, TS690, TS850, TS870S, TS940(S), TS950S, TS990, TS2000(X) The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> ACC Transceiver): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour...

  • Page 40: Kenwood R1000

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Kenwood R1000 The assignation of pins for the receiver cable (X2 <-> RECORD): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on RECORD signals front panel view P a g e...

  • Page 41: Kenwood Ts50S

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Kenwood TS50S The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> MIC Transceiver): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on MIC signals front panel view PWR (only necessary for the...

  • Page 42: Icom Ic703, Ic706, Ic718, Ic7000, Ic7100, Ic7200, Ic7300, Ic7410, Ic9100

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Icom IC703, IC706, IC718, IC7000, IC7100, IC7200, IC7300, IC7410, IC9100 The assignation of pins for the transceiver cable (X2 <-> ACC Transceiver): Jumpers on JP1 towards the Wire Colour Pin on ACC signals...

  • Page 43: Cat / Ci-V Interface

    CAT / CI-V interface CAT/CI-V connections The TinyGate has a dedicated serial port for the control of a transceiver with a CAT/CI-V interface. The jack socket X3 allows a direct connection with a ICOM transceiver which support the CI-V, with the help of a simple audio cable with two 3.5mm-Jack plugs (stereo or mono).
  • Page 44 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions CI-V: Signals (socket "CAT" X3): Description CI-V RXD / TXD (Ground transceiver ) 2. FIF-232, IF-232 mode This mode provides two separate signals for RXD and TXD, and is essentially a serial port with TTL levels (0/5V).
  • Page 45 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions To define the mode FIF232 (IF232), we have to set the SJ10 solder bridge as follows: CAT / CI-V Mode Jumper setting (SJ10) Pos. CAT Interface Mode SJ10 CI-V (default) FIF232, IF232, Elecraft All of the solder bridges are on the bottom side of the board to simplify access to these.

  • Page 46: Cat For Elecraft-Transceivers

    An inverted logic level on the serial data lines is required to connect the CAT- interface to a Elecraft-Transceiver (models K2, K3, KX2, KX3). This option is only available since the TinyGate board revision B and can be set through the SJ14 solder bridge as follows: Serial Data Line Mode jumper setting (SJ14) Pos.

  • Page 47: Cat / Ci-V Power Supply

    Jack plugs. CAT / CI-V power supply The TinyGate has a very flexible interface, which allows it to be adapted to a wide range of transceivers. To ensure the galvanic isolation of the CAT / CI-V port, an external power supply is necessary (8-15VDC).
  • Page 48 1. External The power supply for the CAT/CI-V port comes from the RJ45 X2 socket. This power is reduced inside the TinyGate with a linear voltage regu- lator (D2, T3) to about 5.1V. The TinyGate board is pre-configured for the external power supply of the CAT / CI-V Port.

  • Page 49: Ptt / Cw / Fsk Outputs

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions PTT / CW / FSK outputs PTT: The PTT output is driven by the RTS control line of the serial port. This output is a normally open switch from the reed relay K1, which closes towards the ground of the transceiver.
  • Page 50 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions CW / FSK control line setting (SJ12) Pos. CW / FSK line of control (Mode) SJ12 DTR (CW-Mode) (default) TXD (FSK mode) CW / FSK Pull-up resistor (SJ11) Pos. CW / FSK pull-up resistor (1.5kΩ)
  • Page 51 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions CW / FSK Pull-up and SQL (COR) negative logic supply source (SJ8) Pos. Supply source for CW/FSK pull-up and negative logic SQL (COR) Internal (USB) external (default) P a g e...

  • Page 52: Sql (Cor) Input

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions SQL (COR) Input The SQL (COR) input is connected through a optocoupler to the CTS control line of the serial serial port (the same port used by the PTT / CW). The input of this optocoupler is an LED, which may be biased with a 2kΩ...
  • Page 53 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions SJ13 SQL (COR) entry logic Pos. Pos. positive (default) negative The CAT / CI-V port and the SQL (COR) input use a common ground (defined with the SJ9 bridge) as a result, they should...
  • Page 54 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...

  • Page 55: Test - Initial Operation

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Test – Initial operation For the first use or test you may simply connect the TinyGate to your PC using the USB cable supplied with the kit. The operating systems should normally recognise TinyGate immediately, however it may occur that MS Windows requires the installation of the driver for the FTDI serial ports on theTinyGate.

  • Page 56: Windows Xp

    A quick way of opening the device management is by going on Start ->Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device management If the TinyGate is correctly recognised and all of the drivers have loaded, then following devices should result in the in the device manager:...
  • Page 57 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...
  • Page 58 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions It is useful to note that the progressive numbering of the two serial ports (COMx) depends on the PC and operating system, so it is possible that this should differ from PC to PC.

  • Page 59: Windows 7

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Windows 7 If you connect the TinyGate for the first time, the following messages appear: Once the installation of the drivers is complete these windows may be closed. Now the device management: A fast way of opening the device manager is going on "Start" and inserting the text "Device management"...
  • Page 60 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions If the TinyGate is correctly recognised and all of the drivers have loaded, then this should result in the following devices in the device manager: It is useful to note that the progressive numbering of the two serial ports (COMx) depends on the PC and operating system, so it is possible that this should differ from PC to PC.

  • Page 61: Windows 10

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Windows 10 If you connect the TinyGate for the first time, the following messages appear: Once the installation of the drivers is complete these windows may be closed. Now the device management: A fast way of opening the device manager is going on "Start" and inserting the text "Device management"...
  • Page 62 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions If the TinyGate is correctly recognised and all of the drivers have loaded, then this should result in the following devices in the device manager: It is useful to note that the progressive numbering of the two serial ports (COMx) depends on the PC and operating system, so it is possible that this should differ from PC to PC.

  • Page 63: Linux - Ubuntu

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Linux - Ubuntu If you connect TinyGate to the PC, you will find the following CM108 audio devices on on the "sound setting panel": P a g e...
  • Page 64 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions From the line of command it is possible to verify the presence of the TinyGate USB devices using the command "lsusb": Bus 002 Device 060: ID 0403: 6001 Technology Devices Future In- ternational Ltd FT232 serial (UART) IC Bus 002 Device 059: ID 0d8c: 013C C-Media Electronics, Inc.
  • Page 65 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions To check that the sound card has really been recognised by the system you may use the following command: cat / proc / asound / cards 0 [HDMI]: HDA-Intel - Intel HDA HDMI...

  • Page 66: Macos -X

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions MacOS -X If the TinyGate is correctly recognised and all of the drivers have loaded, then this should result in the following devices in the System Report: P a g e...
  • Page 67 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...
  • Page 68 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Important note! : You have to set the “Format” to 44100Hz for the TinyGate Sound device inside “Audio-MIDI-Setup”. This setting must be repeated one time on each USB port on your MAC. So if you change the USB port, the MAC will remember this setting above.

  • Page 69: Examples Of Configurations For Digital Modes Applications

    (COMx) depends on the PC and operating sys- tem, so it is possible that this should differ from PC to PC. Example: Let us suppose that, once the TinyGate is connected to a USB port of the PC, we have the following serial ports available:...
  • Page 70 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions 2. For example a terminal programme is used with the cable disconnected from the transceiver and after having launched it the serial port to be tried is selected and you click on "Connect". In our case, we will turn to and try the COM6.
  • Page 71 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The two LEDs on the "TRANSCEIVER" X2 socket indicate when the CAT/CI-V serial port has transmitted or received data. If, for example, we try to transmit data on the CAT port without having connected any transceiver, we see a brief flashing of the yellow "CAT-TX"...

  • Page 72: Ham Radio Deluxe V 5.24- Digital Master 780

    TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Ham Radio Deluxe V 5.24- Digital Master 780 As already explained, the TinyGate may be used with a wide range of software applications for digital modes. Below are illustrated configuration examples popular software in amateur radio, focused on the aspects linked to some the parameters of the TinyGate hardware.
  • Page 73 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions Then, the serial port for the PTT should be chosen in the “PTT” sub-menu: The relay of the PTT-Relay is controlled by default from the control line "RTS" of the serial port for the PTT / CW. See also „PTT/CW/FSK...
  • Page 74 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions If someone want to work in CW with the Keyer input of the transceiver, they should choose the same serial port used for the PPT in the submenu ”Modes + IDs", but using the "DTR" control line.
  • Page 75 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions The TinyGate integrated sound card has a preamplifier on the microphone in- put, that is activated via the software through the audio control panel of the operating system. Unfortunately, the term «AGC» for the preamplifier is not really self-explanatory..:...
  • Page 76 Those who wish to listen the audio signal coming from the transceiver through the speakers of the predefined system or other audio outputs of the PC, may do so by activating the audio input of the TinyGate sound card as a source for playing: P a g e...
  • Page 77 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions In the "Soundcard" window, selecting "RX" at the bottom, the “Signal Level" vertical bar is displayed, with the actual audio signal level coming from the transceiver. . Selecting "TX” on the other hand, there is displayed the output sound level regulator of the TinyGate audio interface.
  • Page 78 When you start HamRadioDeluxe, you will be asked to select the transceiver model and the relative serial port for the CAT. In the following case, we have the CI-V/CAT-Port serial port of the TinyGate available as COM7: P a g e...

  • Page 79: Wsjt-X

    In the "Settings" of the “File”, the audio interface should be chosen (“Audio IN” input and “Audio Out” output of the TinyGate audio interface), as well as the serial port used for the PTT "PTT Port" with the "PTT method" on RTS and the serial port for CAT, "CAT port":...

  • Page 80: Fldigi & Macos

    In the "Audio" of the “Devices”, the audio interface should be chosen (“Capture” input and “Playback” output of the TinyGate audio interface), as well as the serial port used for the PTT "RIG – Hardware PTT" with the "Use RTS" and the serial port for CAT, "RIG –...
  • Page 81 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...
  • Page 82 TinyGate - User's manual and assembly instructions P a g e...

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