[DSP-10] Question About The Status of the DSP-10

[Bob Larkin]

Hello Dave,

First thanks, Lyle, for both help items today.  Here is a bit more on 
Dave's questions:

Yes,  the project is still active.  This is true in several ways. For the 
original programs, there will continue to be updates from me. These in part 
reflect my particular interest area of microwave propagation, but also I 
enjoy playing around with various algorithms of a general radio nature and 
am happy to share these with other experimenters.

And the project is still active because of interest by others in both 
improving the DSp card, such as Lyle's work, and a few others that are 
pursuing alternate control programs, using the existing DSP control 
structure and program.  I will let these folks offer more if they have time!

So, I am presently getting a new version of both programs that will be 
released in both executable and source.  More about these soon, hopefully.

A bit more:
At 07:50 PM 4/8/2005, Dave wrote:

>2. I downloaded the DSP source code (uhf3sc25.zip) and it all appears to 
>be assembly based. I'm assuming that this is
>         because:
>         a) The GNU C compiler  is too expensive for most (I know the 
> source can be obtained but AD
>                 appears to have some critical parts in proprietary 
> software) and/or
>         b) SDR needs to be written in assembly due to optimization issues?
>
>         Can someone confirm this or otherwise educate me?

I find I spend much more time getting the algorithms right than doing 
assembly programing. This language has not seemed like a big burden, and 
the AD assembly language is first class. It also buys performance, which is 
nice.

BTW, the current DSP program running on an EZKit is close to full, time 
wise. I am going to switch to "DSPx only" after this issue. It would be 
possible to optimize further and stay with the EZKit, but it is a good 
radio now, and further improvements can be added using the DSPx using this 
same "hobby time."  For those not familiar with the issue, the EZ-Kit is a 
33 MHz clock and the DSPx is 80 MHz.

>4. It appears that the kit is fairly simple (By simple I mean harder than 
>a HeathKit). Are there any special tools required for
>         assembly? I have a TDS2024 scope, a Metcal SP200 soldering 
> station (with fine tip) but no SMD tools. My guess is that
>         a good magnifying glass would be needed? (Especially for those in 
> their 40's?)

In the world of SMD it is reasonably "big," but a good set of tools is the 
right idea.


>5. BCC 4.0 is required to compile the Windows software?

Yes, but KC7WW has worked the command program to be able to use BCC4.5 and 
this will be in the next issue. The current source will run out of stack 
space with 4.5.


>6. Any other advice from someone that has "been there" or "Is there"?

Go for it!!


>Thanks,
>
>Dave Comer
>
>AD5TU

Good  Luck and thanks for the comments and questions,
Bob Larkin  W7PUA