Build your own USB tuner- will work with Minitioune

[F6DZP]

Hello,

As its not sure we always be able to get the tuner we need, as there are difficult to find when they don't completely disappear from the market,
I have decided two weeks ago to build my own.
We have many solution for finding good Nim Tuner.
The USB chips used with almost USB tuner of the market is the CY7C86013A.
(Prof7500 = NIM EARDA + CY7C86013A, STB5980 = NIM EARD + CY7C86013A ......)

Prof7500_01.jpg (137.75 KiB) Viewed 11860 times

( on the other side there is only the Nim Tuner and capacitors)
We can see on this side, that there are only component for power supplying the Nim tuner + power supply for LNB and CYC786013A for usb interface.
I have began three weeks ago to study this chip, but it is a very powerful chip that takes time to develop for the first time with it.
So I have chosen to test also a second solution less powerful but less "eating time" : use the FT2232H we already use with Digilite.

I use the D2XX driver, one channel for I2C and one channel for TS transfer.

Yesterday I have finished to develop CheckTutiouneUSB that works very well with this "homebrewed USB tuner":

Check USB tuner.jpg (195.74 KiB) Viewed 11864 times

here is the tuner:

USBNimTuner2.jpg (176.06 KiB) Viewed 11864 times

As you can see, there is not too much component:

-The Nim Tuner
-The FT2232H Usb mini module
-Just a flat cable between both

Nothing else if we already have power supply.
Here I have added a 3.3v regulator
1V is yet external, but will be soon made on this board.

I hope Tutioune will be able to use this USB tuner very soon.
I have finished the I2C implementation to have the Nim working.
I have now to develop the part for getting the TS. (as you can see on the first photo, DMA transfer or FIFO transfer is not yet implemented)

So this could be a solution easy to use, there are thousand of NIM tuner on the market that are waiting us.

73
Jean Pierre F6DZP

[g8gtz]

Excellent news Jean Pierre - this means we will be able run Tutioune on a laptop out portable

BATC shop is out of stock of the FT233mini USB as sales of Digilite parts have stopped but we would be willing to buy some in if people are interested.

Mouser UK have them in stock but with delivery one unit costs £29.60 (+VAT?). However if we were to buy 10 for the shop we could sell them at around £20 incld delivery from BATC - so are people interested? (This is actually less than the original part was bought for when we were doing Digilites!)

Re the tuners - we would also be willing to stock the tuner (with same chipset as S1600 card) if there is interest.

Looking for feedback...

73

Noel - G8GTZ

[g8vpg]

Yes Noel,

I would definitely order the necessary components from the BATC.

Shaun G8VPG.

[G8XZD-TV]

I have the usb module but would definitely buy a tuner module. Ian.

[F6DZP]

Yes, when it will be finished and tested, if someone could draw the little pcb and the BATC have Pcb + FT2232H and Nim in stock, we will have a new interesting kit.
A DVB-S tuner that allow very low SR RX and measurement.

Jean-Pierre F6DZP

[G4GUO]

Good work Jean-Pierre,

I also am playing about with the same tuner that Evariste is using.
However I am using the Cypress USB2 chip.


- Charles G4GUO

[reel2reel]

I will take one tuner and the USB interface if and when available with thanks.
73
Andy G3UEQ

[F6DZP]

Hi Charles,

Yes I have a similar setup with NIM + Cypress Chinese card.
So I started with both solution, one NIM + Cypress and one NIm + FT2232H
But after 2 days I was stuck on some Cypress/Chinese card behavior so found I could develop faster with FT2232H.

Jean Pierre F6DZP

[G4GUO]

Hi Jean Pierre,
I use the Cypress chip on Express so I am fairly familiar with it.
Getting the STB0899 to do anything is another matter though .

- Charles

[G4EWJ]

Great news. I can help to lay out the pcb and etch some prototypes.

Brian