[Ground-station] Lime LMS8001a Companion Board

[Ron Economos]

Here are my results from testing the LMS8001a Companion Board as a 5.6 
GHz to 755 MHz down converter. I'm using an indirect method to evaluate 
phase noise by using a 64QAM CATV demodulator. The setup is Ettus B210 
-> down converter -> 64QAM demodulator. All tests were done with an 
external 5 volt power supply as recommended by Lime.

Here's the LMS8001a.

lms8001 phase noise


Here's the Kuhne 5.6 GHz down converter.

https://www.kuhne-electronic.de/funk/en/shop/industrial/prof-converter/prof-low-noise-conve/KU+LNC+5659+C+PRO++Down+Converter/?card=403

Kuhne phase noise

Very similar. I'd have to say the LMS8001 is doing a pretty good job. 
Unfortunately, I can't tell how much phase noise is from the B210 and 
how much is from the down converter.

There are a lot of spurs though. Here's with the 64QAM signal at 755 MHz.

spurs with signal

And without the 64QAM signal. No change.

without signal

Zoomed in. Looks like there's a spur every 20 MHz. The reference clock 
is 40 MHz.

zoomed

Ron W6RZ

On 04/28/2018 01:09 PM, Michelle Thompson via Ground-Station wrote:
> Hi Mike,
>
> Were you able to get the measurements you were after last weekend?
>
> Waiting on u.FL cables to arrive in the mail today.
>
> -Michelle W5NYV
>
> On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 3:44 AM, Mike Seguin via Ground-Station 
> <ground-station at lists.openresearch.institute 
> <mailto:ground-station at lists.openresearch.institute>> wrote:
>
>     Correction to LO leakage on 5 GHz. -53 dBc but I measured -47 dBm
>     not -53 dBm.
>
>     Next tests are NF and play with the GPI for selecting different
>     LO's and channel configs.
>
>     I have a GPIO board for my Lime and it works and is supported in
>     LimeSDR#. Also, Simon (SDRConsole) has indicated he will support
>     GPIO as well.
>
>     Here's what LimeSDR# supports.
>     --------------------------------------------------------------
>     - J12 connector GPIO
>     --------------------------------------------------------------
>     - Outputs: 0-3 BPF (4 bits), 4-PTT (MOX)
>     - Inputs: 5-PTT microphone, 6-keyer DASH, 7-keyer DOT
>
>     LimeSDR# is based on PowerSDR and is at beta 0.5 now.
>
>     Mike
>
>
>     On 4/8/2018 6:54 PM, Mike Seguin via Ground-Station wrote:
>
>         Hi Ron,
>
>         Did some basic transmit tests today.
>
>         LMS8001a Companion Board
>         4/8/2018
>
>         10 GHz transmit section. CHA
>         IF set at 1.298 GHz max +9 dBm
>         LO set to 9.070
>
>         10.368 -7 dBm
>         LO @ -47 dBc (measured -54 dBm)
>
>         5 GHz transmit section. CHD
>         IF set at 1.350 GHz max +9 dBm
>         LO set to 4.5 GHz
>
>         5.850 +6 dBm
>         LO @ -53 dBc (measured -53 dBm)
>
>         === output in the 9-10 GHz range where the board is tuned ===
>         9.0 GHz +1 dBm
>         9.3 GHz -2 dBm
>         9.7 GHz -6 dBm
>         10 GHz -7 dBm
>
>         Board is set up for:
>         IF 1-3 GHz
>         Up/Dwn conversions 5-6 GHz & 9-10 GHz
>
>         Mike
>
>
>         On 4/8/2018 2:46 PM, Ron Economos via Ground-Station wrote:
>
>             I have one. I'll be doing some phase noise testing with
>             5.6 GHz down conversion soon.
>
>             Ron W6RZ
>
>             On 04/08/2018 03:57 AM, Mike Seguin via Ground-Station wrote:
>
>                 Anyone on the list working with the Lime LMS8001a
>                 Companion Board? Mine finally arrived and I'm starting
>                 to work with it. So far 10 GHz TX/RX is working
>                 (10.368 GHz). 10 MHz lock works well.
>
>                 Next is to try 5 GHz.
>
>                 At this point, no real measurements - just seeing
>                 signals going in/out and learning the setup.
>
>                 After initial sectional tests, I want to set it up as
>                 5 GHz TX and 10 GHz receive.
>
>
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