Virtual Trackgen
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- Posts: 213
- Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:06 pm
- Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Virtual Trackgen
Hi
I've had a couple of inquiries regarding driving external signal generators that are not connected to an Arduino that's running the Trackgen firmware.
For those who are interested in using the analyser's tracking generator commands to drive their own generator hardware, I've written a simple demo application in C# that shows how you can communicate with the analyser using virtual comms ports. This will allow those using something apart from an AD9850 or an AD9851 to write driver code for their own generator and connect it to the analyser.
The code is not bullet-proof and is provided only as a demonstration. All the information you will need is included in the source file, including a link to where you can download the com0com virtual comms port system.
There are several boards available on Ebay, and other places that are using the AD9959 DDS such as:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-AD9959- ... SwIJlaENQa
and
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AD9959-DDS- ... SwmgJY1SUd
The second board includes a USB interface card. I have no information regarding how the USB link works, but as it will almost certainly be comms-driven, that should make it easy to interface to the analyser. If anybody has one of these boards, I'd be grateful for any details, particularly the USB version.
You should be able to place the unzipped code in a folder and compile under Visual Studio without any problems - hopefully. If you have problems, let me know.
I've had a couple of inquiries regarding driving external signal generators that are not connected to an Arduino that's running the Trackgen firmware.
For those who are interested in using the analyser's tracking generator commands to drive their own generator hardware, I've written a simple demo application in C# that shows how you can communicate with the analyser using virtual comms ports. This will allow those using something apart from an AD9850 or an AD9851 to write driver code for their own generator and connect it to the analyser.
The code is not bullet-proof and is provided only as a demonstration. All the information you will need is included in the source file, including a link to where you can download the com0com virtual comms port system.
There are several boards available on Ebay, and other places that are using the AD9959 DDS such as:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-AD9959- ... SwIJlaENQa
and
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AD9959-DDS- ... SwmgJY1SUd
The second board includes a USB interface card. I have no information regarding how the USB link works, but as it will almost certainly be comms-driven, that should make it easy to interface to the analyser. If anybody has one of these boards, I'd be grateful for any details, particularly the USB version.
You should be able to place the unzipped code in a folder and compile under Visual Studio without any problems - hopefully. If you have problems, let me know.
- Attachments
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- VirtualTrackgen.zip
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Re: Virtual Trackgen
Just to stop by to report that I finally managed firmware upgrade on my ERASynth+
On first try, unit was bricked by my mistake, but second with some support went ok.
Unit now working like charm, through USB/RS232 and direct terminal commands.
The W10 and WEB applications still have some bugs, hope upgrades will show up after some time...
Now can try to play with example zip from Steve
On first try, unit was bricked by my mistake, but second with some support went ok.
Unit now working like charm, through USB/RS232 and direct terminal commands.
The W10 and WEB applications still have some bugs, hope upgrades will show up after some time...
Now can try to play with example zip from Steve
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
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- Posts: 213
- Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:06 pm
- Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Re: Virtual Trackgen
Splendid news indeed. I look forward to seeing your results.9a4db wrote:Just to stop by to report that I finally managed firmware upgrade on my ERASynth+
Phil - VK7JJ has sent me a link to the AD9910 module that is available on Ebay. I was considering using an AD9959 module, four channels at 200MHz per channel, but the AD9910 goes up to around 420MHz and is a similar price, so I'll be getting one of those instead. I was going to order it last week but decided that with the work in hand for the second release of the analyser, I'd put it off until I was ready to work on the trackgen system - It would have been an unnecessary distraction. Swamp-alligator syndrome
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AD9910-DDS- ... SwfrxZ1vw3
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Re: Virtual Trackgen
AD9910 looks quite nice but are there any options for going over 1GHz under 100$?
Last edited by bogdan on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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- Posts: 213
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- Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Re: Virtual Trackgen
Not that I'm aware of at this time. It's bound to happen sooner or later, probably sooner than later with luck.bogdan wrote:AD9910 looks quite nice but are there any options for going over 1GHz under 100$?
Steve
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Re: Virtual Trackgen
How about the ADF4351 based boards? Would these be any good? They are supposed to work in the 35M-4.4G span.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/35M-4-4 ... 82943.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ADF4351 ... 05971.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/35M-4-4 ... 82943.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ADF4351 ... 05971.html
Last edited by bogdan on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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- Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Re: Virtual Trackgen
Hi Bogdanbogdan wrote:How about the ADF4351 based boards? Would these be any good? They are supposed to work in the 35M-4.4G span.
That looks very interesting, thank you for the links. Once I get the remaining debugging out of the way I'll get the data sheets and see what is possible.
Steve
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Re: Virtual Trackgen
Just received an Arduino UNO (compatible I believe) for my tracking generator
Installed Arduino IDE 1.8.9 but UNO driver failed to load however when I Update Driver through device manager it responds with a code 10 error - unable to start the driver
Operating system windows 7 home premium 64bit 2.7GHz dual core CPU 4GB ram
When connected the UNO board shows 2 red led's - ON and a flashing L
I have checked out the various "fixes" for the code 10 error but the driver still refuses to operate and that is as far as I have progressed
Wondering if anyone has further info on how to overcome my obstacle
Thanks
Brian
Installed Arduino IDE 1.8.9 but UNO driver failed to load however when I Update Driver through device manager it responds with a code 10 error - unable to start the driver
Operating system windows 7 home premium 64bit 2.7GHz dual core CPU 4GB ram
When connected the UNO board shows 2 red led's - ON and a flashing L
I have checked out the various "fixes" for the code 10 error but the driver still refuses to operate and that is as far as I have progressed
Wondering if anyone has further info on how to overcome my obstacle
Thanks
Brian
Last edited by Brian VK6LO on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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Re: Virtual Trackgen
False alarm - after the grey matter fired up and I 'discovered' the CH340 USB to Serial chip, downloaded the appropriate driver for it, everything seems back on track (no pun intended) for now anyway
Last edited by Brian VK6LO on Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am, edited 0 times in total.
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