RigExpert Tokenblauser User Manual

Gpsdo

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Tokenblauser

RigExpert®

Low-noise GPSDO,

quad clock source –

0.16 to 200 MHz

User's manual

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Summary of Contents for RigExpert Tokenblauser

Page 1 Tokenblauser RigExpert® Low-noise GPSDO, quad clock source – 0.16 to 200 MHz User's manual...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Table of contents Tokenblauser – a versatile GPSDO platform............4 High stability and low noise................6 The first use......................7 Menu description....................8 Serial port interface..................12 Arduino serial plotter..................13 TimeLab interfacing...................13 Updating the firmware..................16 Compiling the firmware from the source code............17 SI5338 configuration presets................17 Annex 1 –...
Page 4: Tokenblauser - A Versatile Gpsdo Platform
GPSDO platform The Tokenblauser is a GPS disciplined clock source with very low noise output, suitable for QO-100 and SHF applications, including operating FT8 and other narrow band digital modes. Unlike many other GPSDOs with fixed 10 MHz output, it additionally generates up to four arbitrary frequencies simultaneously.
Page 5 • Modify the firmware to experiment with different PLL and FLL algorithms; • Use own GPS modules and GPS antennas; • Use different types of OCXOs and Rubidium oscillators. Structure diagram of the Tokenblauser GPSDO The Tokenblauser is based on ideas of Brooks Shera, Lars Walenius and many other enthusiasts. Tokenblauser...
Page 6: High Stability And Low Noise
High stability Just look at a simplified Allan and low noise deviation chart, which compares the stability different types generators over time. The GPS receiver itself has a bad short-term stability, where the OCXO is good. In opposite, during long periods, the GPS is a winner. By locking the frequency of a local oscillator to the reference GPS receiver, GPSDOs are...
Page 7: The First Use
Press ⊖ or ⊕ button shortly to browse through the menu. Hold these buttons for approximately two seconds to change current profile number, set output frequencies or to enter Preferences. Press the M (Menu) button to exit back to the Status screen. Tokenblauser...
Page 8: Menu Description
Menu description Setting output frequencies To change profile number, press ⊖ or ⊕ button to select the Profile menu item, then hold one of these buttons for approximately two seconds to change the profile number. For each of four profiles, you may change frequencies for each of A…D outputs.
Page 9 Set the DAC to its minimum value by using the SetDACmin menu. Write down the dt value, such as 241ns. By using the SetDACmax menu, choose maximum value. Again, write down the dt value. Example: -240 ns. Tokenblauser...
Page 10 With the above example, the tuning range of the OCXO (limited by resistor network inside the GPSDO) is 241 + 240 = 481 ppb (parts per billion) -or- 481000 ppt (parts per trillion) Enter the value 481000 ppt in the Range menu, for the PLL algorithm to work properly.
Page 11 Run boot loader – enter the boot loader mode for firmware update (see below). Factory reset – revert to default settings. SI5338 menu – display the device grade and maximum output frequency. FW ver. – show current firmware version. Tokenblauser...
Page 12: Serial Port Interface
The virtual serial port interface provides various functions, such as Serial port control or monitoring of the GPSDO. Open a virtual serial port (for example, interface COM22) with terminal software, such as Putty or Arduino IDE. Type “?” or “help” to get a list of available commands, as well as current settings of the device.
Page 13: Arduino Serial Plotter
TIC is made easy. The real-time mode is activated by clicking the Acquire – Acquire from counter in Talk-Only mode. To plot the phase data, select Phase difference, then enter Numeric Field #3 (corrected TIC value) and set the phase multiplier to 1e-12. Tokenblauser...
Page 14 TimeLab interfacing With the famous Timelab software from Miles Design LLC., plotting Allan deviation of the internal TIC is made easy. The real-time mode is activated by clicking the Acquire – Acquire from counter in Talk-Only mode. To plot the phase data, select Phase difference, then enter Numeric Field #3 (corrected TIC value) and set the phase multiplier to 1e-12.
Page 15 Field # 6 (DAC value) and set the frequency multiplier. The multiplier as calculated (OCXO tuning range in ppt)/65536*10-12 For instance, for the tuning range of 847000 ppt, enter 12.9e-12. Click Start Measurement. A sample plot of the Frequency Difference Tokenblauser...
Page 16: Updating The Firmware
Updating the firmware To update the firmware by using binary file, install the BOSSA programmer from https://github.com/shumatech/BOSSA/releases . Run the program. Important: enter 0x2000 in the Flash Offset field. Please do not touch any check boxes; else, your GPSDO may be bricked! Browse for the new firmware file.
Page 17: Compiling The Firmware From The Source Code
Select the corresponding COM port number. SI5338 configuration presets For making initial C code header configuration files for the SI5338 frequency synthersizer chip, use Skyworks ClockBuilder Pro software, see https:// www.skyworksinc.com/en/application-pages/clockbuilder-pro-software . Export the register file to Si5338-RevB-Registers-X.h , where X=1..4 (profile number). Tokenblauser...
Page 18: Annex 1 - Specifications
Annex 1 Power supply: 9-15V, 1A max. Specifications USB interface: USB 2.0, type B connector (dvice is not powered from USB); Virtual serial port compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Linux GPS input: 3V active antenna with SMA connector; hardware modifiable for 5V antennas;...
Page 19: Annex 2 - Glossary
Sawtooth correction – software algorithm to combine TIC result with data read from a GPS module TIC – Time Interval Counter TimeLab – software for precision time and frequency measurement by Miles Design LLC. UBX – proprietary data exchange protocol of u-blox Tokenblauser...