Beta5 Review Request

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Beta5 is nearing completion. Github is updated with the latest gerber files and schematic. (http://gerbv.geda-project.org/ recommended for gerber viewing, just clone the github project.) The link from www.hermeslite.com goes to the latest schematic. Attached to this post are silkscreen snapshots. Besides general feedback, I'd appreciate help with identifying anything confusing/unclear in the schematics or silkscreen.

I decided against putting a HPF on the main HL2. A HPF is not really needed at my QTH and those who gave feedback prefer it on a companion card.

I hope to only have to make minor silkscreen and via/drill changes to this version before submission. One problem that I am working on is the slotted holes for the new power barrel connectors. They don't appear slotted in the gerber files. Maybe it is an issue with KiCad or the gerber viewer. I may switch to a slightly different part number with round pins. I also need to generate updated BOMs. Finally, I need to recompile the firmware and do a simple test of the filter I2C to make sure there are no surprises with beta5.

I am tired of HL2 design and PCB layout and would like to focus on the RTL. Hopefully beta5 will not have any (or just a few minor issues) and the run after this one will be the first official release. Ideally, I will only have to change the silkscreen to say 2.0. 

Within the next 5 to 10 days, I'd like to submit beta5 to Elecrow for assembly bid. I am considering a run of 10 assembled boards. I have a list of more than 10 people who have expressed interest, and will go through that list in order to see who would like to participate in this group buy. This is still a beta run. Although I don't expect any problems with the core design (it hasn't changed), there may be some problems with the reworked periphery interface portions. So those interested in this run should be prepared for some rework if necessary. With this run, I would like to try direct payment to Elecrow and shipping from Elecrow to individuals. Also, I would like to start the group insurance fund. I will discuss some testing with Elecrow but expect testing to be limited. Elecrow does do visual/short QA. We did not have issues with the last run.

73,

Steve

KF7O

Front Silk:

Back Silkscreen:

 

Front: 

Back:

 

[Naidu B N A M]

Hi Steve,
I am very much interested in your HL2 Beta5. Kindly include me in your list for group buy of HL2 beta5. If more people are there in your list, I request you to plan for more than 10 assembled boards and accommodate all the people interested.
regards
VU2ZAZ (B N A M Naidu)

[Steve Haynal]

Hi B N A M Naidu,

I saw your query to hermeslite at gmail.com and you are within the first 10 on the list. This is still an untested beta release and I am reluctant to make it available to many people as there may be some mistakes. I think 10 units may actually be too many and may consider only 5 again. Once we have a run where no or only very minor changes are required, then we can organize a larger group buy.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Dean G0UIL]

Hi Steve

Please can you put my name down for 2 of the HL, I spoke to Alan about the 100 Watt PA,  I am looking forward to getting started with the project,also the programming of the I2C bus to control the LPF/BPF, I am meeting up with Alan this week to have a look at his IDE setup, looking forward to that.

what I have seen so far is a good idea to get the Radio Ham back into the hobby, also have a understanding of SDR.

73

Dean

G0UIL  

[Sid Boyce]

Hi Steve,
Though being a silent watcher to the conversations, I am still
interested in one of the Beta5 built-up units.
73 ... Sid.

On 06/11/17 05:11, Steve Haynal wrote:
> Hi Group,
>
> Beta5 is nearing completion. Github is updated with the latest gerber
> files and schematic. (http://gerbv.geda-project.org/ recommended for
> gerber viewing, just clone the github project.) The link from
> www.hermeslite.com goes to the latest schematic. Attached to this post
> are silkscreen snapshots. Besides general feedback, I'd appreciate
> help with identifying anything confusing/unclear in the schematics or
> silkscreen.
>
> I decided against putting a HPF on the main HL2. A HPF is not really
> needed at my QTH and those who gave feedback prefer it on a companion
> card.
>
> I hope to only have to make minor silkscreen and via/drill changes to
> this version before submission. One problem that I am working on is
> the slotted holes for the new power barrel connectors. They don't
> appear slotted in the gerber files. Maybe it is an issue with KiCad or
> the gerber viewer. I may switch to a slightly different part number
> with round pins. I also need to generate updated BOMs. Finally, I need
> to recompile the firmware and do a simple test of the filter I2C to
> make sure there are no surprises with beta5.
>
> I am tired of HL2 design and PCB layout and would like to focus on the
> RTL. Hopefully beta5 will not have any (or just a few minor issues)
> and the run after this one will be the first official release.

> Ideally, I will only have to change the silkscreen to say 2.0.Â

>
> Within the next 5 to 10 days, I'd like to submit beta5 to Elecrow for
> assembly bid. I am considering a run of 10 assembled boards. I have a
> list of more than 10 people who have expressed interest, and will go
> through that list in order to see who would like to participate in
> this group buy. This is still a beta run. Although I don't expect any
> problems with the core design (it hasn't changed), there may be some
> problems with the reworked periphery interface portions. So those
> interested in this run should be prepared for some rework if
> necessary. With this run, I would like to try direct payment to
> Elecrow and shipping from Elecrow to individuals. Also, I would like
> to start the group insurance fund. I will discuss some testing with
> Elecrow but expect testing to be limited. Elecrow does do visual/short
> QA. We did not have issues with the last run.
>
> 73,
>
> Steve
> KF7O
>
> Front Silk:
>

> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oLGnnbILZG8/Wf_ufAAlITI/AAAAAAAAA8U/aEI9huGGp_s_wvDskRsd8e3uaf3OV426gCLcBGAs/s1600/beta5fsilk.png>
>
>
>
>
> Back Silkscreen:
>
> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIsk5AHo9Sg/Wf_uoFOqBiI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/y579aV7GENM5StCB-hGhW5Bv1d3J5gaEQCLcBGAs/s1600/beta5bsilk.png>
>
>
> Â
> Front:Â
>
> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PsFuBdAviuM/Wf_us1sYynI/AAAAAAAAA8c/3nCaINmDZVYEQuMXeB_Km3fab7DernuVQCLcBGAs/s1600/beta5f.png>
>
>
> Back:
>
> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eFdx9ntHhvE/Wf_uxJfffKI/AAAAAAAAA8g/AGpo2aKsR3osfE4VS47p-32pRhVERiyCgCLcBGAs/s1600/beta5b.png>
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Hermes-Lite" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
> an email to hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com
> <mailto:hermes-lite...@googlegroups.com>.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


--
Sid Boyce ... Hamradio License G3VBV, Licensed Private Pilot
Emeritus IBM/Amdahl Mainframes and Sun/Fujitsu Servers Tech Support
Senior Staff Specialist, Cricket Coach
Microsoft Windows Free Zone - Linux used for all Computing Tasks

[James Ahlstrom]

Hello Steve,

Please sign me up for a beta5 board.

Jim

N2ADR

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

Attached is a preliminary BOM for beta5. This BOM only includes components that the assembly house will install. There is now a wiki page that has part numbers and description of the various components a user may want or need to hand install to finish a Hermes-Lite 2. Please review and let me know if you have any feedback. The latest beta5 schematics and BOM can also be found via links from www.hermeslite.com.

I plan to submit the final beta5 files to www.elecrow.com for a bid on 10 assembled units tomorrow. Once I receive a reasonable bid and know a final cost per unit, I will go through my list in order and offer units. 

I have been extremely busy with my day job lately. This will last until at least the end of December.

73,

Steve

KF7O

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Group,

I was going through the remaining issues to finalize beta5. Claudio had expressed concern regarding R131/R132 (pullups to configure the ethernet PHY) being connected to 3.3V instead of Veth. I took a close look at the voltage swing of those pins on my beta3 and they only swing from 3.3V to 2.0V. On the Beta2 they swing from 2.5V to 0V. This needs to be fixed and may delay bid submission by a few days. The goal is to use 3.3V for the ethernet LEDs to reduce the total current draw on the 2.5V regulator.

73,

Steve

KF7O

  

On Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 10:39:24 PM UTC-8, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[in3otd]

Hello Steve,
on my H-Lv2b3 the swing on CN3 pin 17 seems ok; here are a couple of screenshots showing the waveforms at power up and during the DHCP negotiation:



the voltage goes at 3.3 V for a short time, likely until the 2.5 V comes up an then everything looks fine.

For comparison here are the same waveforms for the H-Lv2b2:



except for the initial transient at power up, they look practically identical to the H-Lv2b3.

I don't think that leaving the pull-up resistors connected to the 3.3 V will cause any problem, only that they will for fine also when connected to the 2.5 V.

73 de Claudio, IN3OTD / DK1CG

On Monday, November 13, 2017 at 1:26:15 AM UTC+1, Steve Haynal wrote:

Hi Group,

[Steve Haynal]

Hi Claudio,

Thanks for the measurements. With my beta3, I never saw these signals go to ground. Since this is out of spec, we may be seeing different results with different parts. I modified my beta3 to use Veth (2.5V) for the 10K pullups and everything looks much better. Given the ~2.1V forward drop of the LEDs, I don't see how these pins can go above 2.5V now. I made the changes to the beta5 PCB too.

73,

Steve

KF7O