Penelope - What is it?
Penelope (DUCk), a 1/2-watt transmitter/exciter board, is a companion to the 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.
Availability
TAPR's initial production has sold out. There are no plans to produce more at this time.
Gerd Loch, DJ8AY is producing small quantities of Penelope. Please contact him directly for availability.
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.
Other HPSDR kits
Atlas ... Read more.
Janus ... Read more.
Ozymandias (Ozy) ... Read more.
Mercury ... Read more.
LPU ... Read more.
Pinocchio ... Read more.
