Radiometrix Ltd

SpacePort Evaluation Kit Manual

page 2

1. Standalone Operation

This mode selects the internal diagnostics modes built into the RPC, FRPC or SP2.

Set-up

• Connect the 1/4 wavelength antenna into the antenna terminal on the evaluation board. Plug the

SP2 into the DIL socket marked SpacePort. RPC/FRPC should be plugged in with RPC/FRPC IC

facing the Evaluation Kit and shielding can or module facing the other way.

• Connect a 7.5VDC-24VDC supply or 9V battery to the supply input terminals and slide the power

switch to ON position.

• Put the DEBUG jumper on and press 'Reset'

• The Hex switch selects the required debug mode 0 to 8. A reset is not required after a mode change.

Digital Storage Oscilloscope probes can be connected to TXD/AF, TX, RX to monitor data transmission

to and from RF circuit. Probes can be connected to TXR, TXA, RXR, RXA and D3:D0 data lines to

monitor data upload/download from/to Host/PC.

1.1 Diagnostic Modes

Mode

Name

Function

0

RX-ON

Preamble detector ON (SIGNAL LED lit = valid preamble detected)

1

RX-PULSE

10ms on: 10ms off, preamble detector on SIGNAL LED

2

TX-ON-PRE

Preamble modulation – transmit continuous preamble

3

TX-ON-SQ

100Hz square wave modulation, for TX testing using spectrum analyser,

etc.

4

TX-ON-255

random 160kbps data for eye diagram tests, sync on RXR

5

TX-PULSE

Preamble bursts (EE 01h setting): 10ms OFF, RX lock in tests

6

ECHO

Transponder mode, unit re-transmits any valid packets received

7

RADAR

Send ASCII test packet “RADIOMETRIX / TEST PACKET WITH 60

DATA BYTES / RPC32 V3.0 XX” and listen for echo. XX is packet number

8

SELF-TEST

Local loop test, TX ! RX (OK on RXR). Not available in SP2

Mode 0 - Preamble Detector

In this mode, receiver circuit is continuously powered up (RX LED on) and if preamble, 80kHz

or 160kbps square wave signal is detected the SIGNAL line is pulled low lighting the SIGNAL

LED to indicate valid Preamble is detected. RXR will also be pulled low lighting the OK LED to

indicate a pass.

If the RESET jumper is inserted, then the internal Fast Radio Packet Controller will be disable

enabling the internal BiM2 equivalent receiver circuit to function independently.

Mode 1 - Pulsed Receiver

Receiver is switched on for 10ms and SP2 checks for preamble. If preamble is detected the

SIGNAL line is pulled low. This will light up the SIGNAL LED. If not, the Receiver is turned off

for 10ms and the process is repeated. OK LED will also light up to indicate a pass. This mode

can be used to test the power up time and settling time of the receiver circuit.

Mode 2 - Transmit Preamble Modulation

Transmitter is turned on continuously and preamble (160kbps square wave) is transmitted. This

complement mode can be used with Mode 0 as a pair.

If the RESET jumper is inserted, then the internal Fast Radio Packet Controller will be disable

enabling the internal BiM2 equivalent transmitter circuit to function independently.

Mode 3 - Transmit 100Hz (200bps) square wave modulation

Transmitter is turned on continuously and 100Hz square wave signal is transmitted which can

be used to estimate the FM deviation and power levels of the RF transmitter circuit using a

spectrum analyser.