Pennylane is a 1/2-watt transmitter/exciter board. It is a companion to the Mercury HF direct sampling receiver board, and an improved replacement for Penelope. The Atlas (bus) compatible Pennylane transmitter uses Digital Up Conversion (DUC) techniques and processes the I and Q signals from the PC directly without the need for a sound card.
Pennylane does not function as a stand alone card; It requires the Atlas back-plane and either an Ozy or Magister card (for USB interface) or a Metis card (for Ethernet interface) connected to a PC running I/Q data processing software (Such as PowerSDR(TM) or KISS Konsole) to provide a functional receiver.
Pennylane 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
* External 10MHz reference available (Excalibur)
* 122.88MHz output available via LVDS
* Optional external VHF clock input via LVDS
* 10MHz TCXO available via Atlas bus
FPGA based DUC enabling future code upgrades
Atlas bus compatible
Two available PC interfaces: Ethernet via Metis board or USB via Ozy or Magister board (no sound card required)
I and Q balanced adjustment not required due to digital generation of RF waveform
ADC for ALC or PA linearization
ALC processed in the FPGA to avoid delays associated with PC processing
New features included in Pennylane that are not present in Penelope
* Improved two-stage PA for less high-frequency power rolloff
* DAC level control for improved linearity at lower power output levels
The Pennylane Exciter
Pennylane Warranty and Support
Pennylane IS SOLD ON AN AS-IS BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
All Pennylane boards will be tested prior to shipment, and all boards will be working when they are shipped. To the extent that we have available inventory, we may, at our discretion, agree to a one time only exchange.
This is a low volume production, experimental item. In order for iQuadLabs to be able to offer this board, we must rely on the support of all users in the openHPSDR community. iQuadLabs expects that Pennylane buyers will seek help on the openHPSDR Discussion List before looking to iQuadLabs for problem resolution.
Support will be provided via the openHPSDR Discussion List.
Because iQuadLabs is not staffed to provide support for Pennylane, and because the knowledge to support users resides with the developers and users on the openHPSDR Discussion List , buyers should participate in that forum for support.
Firmware and software will be available for download from the openHPSDR website.