Tindie

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard

(2 Reviews)

Super high precision GPS trained frequency standard, which can provide arbitral frequency from 1 MHz to 200 MHz with 4-output.

Designed by microwavemont in Japan

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 1

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 2

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 3

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 4

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 5

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 6

Programmable GPS trained frequency standard 7

2018-10-27T10:00:19.167Z-10MHz_RBW100 copy.png

Retired

This product is no longer available for sale. The seller may be offering an improved version or it may be hanging out on the beach, enjoying the retired life.

Super high precision GPS trained frequency standard, which can provide arbitral frequency from 1 MHz to 200 MHz with 4-output.

From the shipping on Dec. 1st, GPS module will be NEO-7M, one after generation to NEO-6M. Note for this item: In the image, you can see U4 (down from u-blox module) is vacant and you may think this...

What is it?

Super high precision GPS trained frequency standard (signal generator), which can provide arbitral frequency from 1 MHz to 200 MHz with 4-output. This is the most practical item I've ever made. Any 70's 80's 90's and up-to-date time domain related instrument (VNA, SPA, oscilloscope, SG) with 10 MHz input will get the atomic clock precision from GPS by ultra low cost!

Why did you make it?

My previous item is quite handy and portable and reliable for frequency measurement less than 4 MHz. But you may already have frequency counter, spectrum analyzer, vector network analyzer, oscilloscope, or something which has 10 MHz input on the back panel. Each of professional measurement instrument has TCXO but they has "aging" and it may be unreliable after 30 years from production. This item will refresh your instrument with "atomic clock precision" given by GPS signal!

What makes it special?

Four output signals are independently programmable. The frequency is generated by PLL IC (Silicon Labs Si5356 with GPS trained 8 MHz clock), and its output is programmable from 1 MHz to 200 MHz. Programming details is available from Application note of Si5356 Silicon labs's software Clock Builder Pro will automatically generate register values for your frequency configuration and copying them to Arduino source will provide the signal of your demand!
Default firmware supports 10, 20, 30, 40 MHz high precision signal output. The firmware is written in onboard ATmega88PA with Arduino sketch released in my GitHub account
Onboard Lipo battery charger enables portable application. USB-bus power operation is also supported.
Output waveform is 3.3 V square wave (mainly good for digital clock). If sine-wave preferred for analogue application, harmonics suppression required.

Phase noise is around -75dBc/Hz at 10MHz. More details are available at my Hackaday log.

What is included in this item

Fully tested and initial firmware (10, 20, 100, 200 MHz output) loaded GPS trained signal generator board.
Two stage LNA embedded active GPS antenna (3m cable, IP67, embedded amplifier: MAX2659 two stage, Gain 28dB / NF <1.5dB)

What is NOT included in this item

Lipo battery. It is not essential for operation for USB bus power mode but you may need it for portable application

Precaution of the operation NEO6M (GPS module) generate 8MHz even before GPS locking (with low precision) and after GPS clock capturing, it goes to atomic clock precision!. Please wait for a while for getting locked to atomic clock precision for your operation. (If the attached GPS antenna is put on the windows side, it will lock in a few minutes.)

u-blox's NEO6M utility "u-center" is available at https://www.u-blox.com/en/product/u-center By which 8MHz 50% duty ratio clock generation setting can be done at TP5 register of NEO6M.

If have some difficulty, please contact me with tindie's messaging system. I've guided to make it work 100% customer.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (2.00)

Documentation: (1.00)

Shipping: (3.00)

Communication: (3.00)

Bazzoni | Nov. 19, 2018

Good quality price

I had some problems at the beginning, I contacted the supplier and with his assistance we have solved, all in all the product for its low cost makes perfectly its function as a programmable reference generator with GPS, from the tests I did the antenna must be placed in the outside where it can receive the largest number of satellites to have a better stability of the signal, lacking documentation for its use I can say this !!

All in all, the product works properly and if you have any problems, the seller will respond in a short time.

I had some problems at the beginning, I contacted the provider and we have solved all the software for its low cost. I can say this !!

The seller will respond in a short time.

Response from microwavemont | Nov. 19, 2018

Thank you for providing wonderful review.
Indeed I have to admit the insufficient documentation regarding details about GPS module setting. This item is almost "software defined signal generator" and I will try to improve documents. Thank you!

Wolfgang | Nov. 19, 2018

not happy with

Unit does not work to the specs, no lock to GPS, 10 MHz output unstable in frequency, lots of spourious and broadband noise, have tried different antennas, no luck...

documentation is poor, no idea how to contact seller for return,

unit was suposed to use as 10 MHz reference for ham radio,

Wolfgang Hoeth
OE4WOG
wolfgang.hoeth@aon.at

Response from microwavemont | Nov. 19, 2018

I am so sorry for your inconvenient.
Please contact me through tindie's messaging system. I have a few experience of issue on this board (unstable, etc...) but so far I could guide to make it works for 100% of buyers. It is software setting issue and not hardware issue. Thank you in advance.

Retired

This product is no longer available for sale. The seller may be offering an improved version or it may be hanging out on the beach, enjoying the retired life.