AB9IL.net: The QS1R Communications Receiver

Written and curated by Philip Collier / AB9IL
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UPDATED 09/02/2017: Refined and expanded comments regarding factors affecting dynamic range in QSD versus direct sampling radios.

QUADRATURE SAMPLING SDRs

The bleeding edge of radio technology was initially manifested in projects using quadrature sampling detectors feeding studio quality audio interfaces. Also known as "zero IF SDRs," these devices exhibited characteristics far superior to superheterodyne radios in the following categories:

  1. Dynamic range, thanks to superior "H mode" mixers.
  2. Stability, when the local oscillator is oven stabilized and / or GPS disciplined.
  3. Signal purity, due to high quality high bit depth audio ADCs..
  4. More signal purity made possible with direct digital demodulation.
  5. Panoramic spectrum display, implemented in the software interface.
  6. Point and click tuning, implemented in the software interface.

For example, the Softrock, Flexradio, and RTL SDRs easily outperform most superhet radios in those five aspects. Innovative software makes these radios versatile and easy to use, but ultimately it is RF hardware with the first critical job: capturing a clear enough signal for manipulation in the digital domain.

Though the QSD based software defined radios are obviously an advancement beyond superhets, they do have some limitations related to bandwidth, dynamic range, and tuning range. These SDR's operating range is limited by the bandwidth of the A/D converter - often an audio sound card. The QSD based SDR hardware, samples chunks of spectrum in 48, 96, or 192 kHz segments, and relies on a crystal oscillator, phase locked loop or direct digital synthesizer for setting its center frequency. Noise and distortion are introduced during mixing in the QSD due to oscillator phase noise, spurs, filtering, and mixer limitations. Superior signal purity and low noise performance, therefore, is tough design challenge in SDRs. That is why radios like the Flex-3000 or Flex-5000 are not quite as simple as they first appear.

M0RZF has recently (3/2014) published an improved circuit design advancing the popular Mobo QSD based software defined radios. His work has very nicely improved the sensitivity, dynamic range, and useful bandwidth to the point that full HF coverage is possible without the need for a preamplifier. His Unity SDR also has better I/Q balance than the earlier designs, making overall performance MUCH better without the need for tweaks and adjustments after the circuit is built. He also makes a valid point that QSD based SDRs can be smaller, simpler, less expensive, and more energy efficient than their direct sampling counterparts.


DIRECT SAMPLING SDRs

Consider a more advanced SDR design: eliminate the mixer and oscillator by directly sampling the entire spectrum of interest, and implement all modulation, demodulation, fuliltering, and processing functions within a virtual transceiver. Very wide bandwidth A/D converters can digitize spectrum from near DC through VHF range, and feed the data stream to a processing engine. This methodhas fantastic potential! Consider a modest list of possibilities:

  1. High dynamic range due to elimination of hardware mixers, diode switched roofing filters, and oscillators.
  2. Very high performance multimode operation.
  3. Versatile multifrequency operation.
  4. Any manner of spread spectrum and high rate digital modes.
  5. Multiple virtual transceivers using one or many antennas.
  6. Synthetic phasing / beam forming for antennas.
  7. Streaming RF data to remote receiver interfaces via internet protocol.
  8. Very high definition reception and recording, limited by user's computing and storage hardware.
  9. Numerous possibilities for RADAR, radio astronomy, and other special modes.

There are some limitations to performance in direct sampling software defined radios. For high bandwidth sampling, the data flow is enormous - enough to stress the limits of modest desktop computers. Internal latency is a factor, and systems must be tweaked to minimize it. Also, while oscillator and mixers are removed from the RF signal path, the ADC clock absolutely must be accurate and steady to prevent distortion and noise due to clock jitter. One issue which seems to NOT be a problem, especially when the operating range is sampled at a far higher minimum sampling rate: ADC overload. Flexradio experience has shown that when the HF range is sampled at a rate five times higher than the theoretical minimum, the summing of many strong signals rarely results in ADC overload. Simulations indicate that overloads would involve single samples and have no significant effects on a received signal.

A group of nearly 1000 talented radio amateurs and short wave listeners have been working on a "High Performance Software Defined Radio (HPSDR)" project with the goal of ceating the sort of direct sampling SDR under discussion here. In fact, the HPSDR group is creating hardware and software which greatly advances radio's state of the art. Their Mercury module is an early example of movement toward direct sampling SDR designs.



THE QUICKSILVER QS1R - AMAZING AND ELEGANT


Quicksilver 1R SDR
Quicksilver 1R SDR

SDRMax 3D Waterfall
SDRMax 3D Waterfall

SDRMax on 40 Meters
QS1R on 40 Meters

A ready-to use SDR currently available outside of military / government circles provides fantastic performance and very advanced features: the QS1R receiver (and soon a QS1T transmitter), made by the Software Radio Laboratory LLC. This radio is the result of intense brainstorming among numerous talented people, and more specifically, the work of a team led by Philip Covington (N8VB).

The QS1R has excellent specifications, and an in its most basic form, covers the range from 10 kHz to 62 Mhz, and through 300 MHz using undersampling techniques. With proper front end equipment, it can receive VHF, UHF, or microwave signals in a manner far more advanced than conventional communications gear. The unit uses a USB 2.0 interface for connection to the user's computer, and companion software is available for Linux, MAC, and Windows. SDRMax is the open source software for the QS1R. SDRmax may be examined, analyzed, modified, and evaluated by the end user community. With each update, more capabilities are added, and the Quicksilver SDR system continues to improve. Another excellent software interface for the QS1R is HDSDR Both of these software packages give the radio operator the ability to find and use radio signals in an intuitive and effective manner unimaginable in the past.



LISTEN TO A QS1R ONLINE

For radio listeners curious about the Quicksilver SDR, graphical interface software makes it the best web controlled receiver on the internet. The QS1R can be remotely tuned throughout its range, in any mode, and with easily configurable settings. The panoramic display is excellent, and the audio quality is limited only by the end user's soundcard. It is possible to connect to an SDRMAX server on the other side of the world, using a modest broadband connection, and enjoy great sounding signals from the remote QS1R receiver. ESSB signals, for example, seem to jump into the foreground and hardly seem to originate hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Note that presently, when changing servers for SDRMAX, the server IP address should be manually set by editing the "GUILocalSettings.xml" file. It may be possible in the future to select servers from a dropdown list. It all depends on popular demand. If you think these remotely operated QS1Rs are fabulous, be sure to write to the hams hosting them and let them know.


Online QS1R Receivers
HOST SKYPE ID SERVER IP ADDRESS TCP PORT
Ken, N9VV, Chicago KenN9VV 24.192.100.58 43065
Tilman, SM0JZT, Stockholm sm0jzt 81.237.242.191 43065


QS1R SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Coverage:	10 kHz – 62 MHz
Modes:			LSB, USB, CW, AM, SAM, FMN, FMW
Sensitivity:		0.56 uV SSB (S+N)/N= 10 dB
Selectivity:		120 dB
Image Rejection:	90 dB Input IP3 >42 dBm
Dynamic Range:		101 dB (SSB, 2.4 kHz BW) 104 dB (CW, 500 Hz BW)
SFDR:			112 dB
BDR:			126 dB (CW, 500 Hz BW)
MDS:			-121 dBm (500 Hz BW)
ADC Clipping Level:	+9 dBm ( 8 mW )
Ext. Encode Clock:	60 - 130 MHz, +10 dBm max.
ADC:			16 bit, 125 MSPS
FPGA:			Altera Cyclone II EP3C25
Audio DAC:		TI 24 bit stereo, 50 kSPS
Interface:		USB 2.0 High Speed ( typ. 32 MB/S Max )
Sampling Rates:		25, 50, 125, 250, 500, 625, 1250, 1562, 2500 (kSPS)
Output Bandwidth:	20, 40, 100, 200, 400, 500, 1000, 1250, 2000 (kHz)
Output Signal:		32 bit/sample I-Q pair
Power Supply :		+5 to +6 Volts @ 1000 mA typ.
Cabinet:		Anodized Aluminum 103 x 53 x 160 mm (W x H x L)
Operating Temp:		0 – 40 C
Frequency Accuracy:	+/-1 PPM after calibration

Direct sampling software defined radio is certainly where the bleeding edge is found, and the QS1R reflects that state of the art quite nicely. The QS1R does have new competition in the Flex-6000 direct sampling software defined radio. Evolution, like rust, never sleeps - so expect the Software Radio Laboratory people to further advance their product and show new performance and capabitities in the coming months and years.




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