Alternative Satellite TV Tuners for 500/333/125 kS

[G8GKQ]

Now that the FTS-4334 tuner used in the MiniTiouner has been discontinued by Serit, we (the BATC) are looking for a source of replacement tuners capable of RB-TV reception.

If you know of a tuner module or receiver that works for RB-TV, please could you post details here?

We're particularly interested in reports about the Octogon SF 8008 or other Linux-based receivers capable of 333 kS reception. Does anybody know what tuner module they use, and where the tuners can be obtained?

Thanks

Dave, G8GKQ

[F4DVK]

Hi Dave,

The DVB-S tuner is a Si2166.

DVB-S

Tuner_DVB_S.jpg (509.05 KiB) Viewed 3720 times

For information, the tuner DVB-T is a AltoBeam ATBM7821B...

DVB-T

Tuner_DVB_T.jpg (496.45 KiB) Viewed 3720 times

Octogon

Octogon-min.jpg (1.28 MiB) Viewed 3720 times

Stephane

[G8GKQ]

Thanks Stephane

How well does it work on QO-100?

We'll be needing the long-form datasheet for that chip if we are going to make progress. The short data sheet is here: https://www.skyworksinc.com/-/media/Sky ... -short.pdf

Dave

[F4DVK]

I never tested because I don't have a modified LNB.

The minimum frequency is 950 MHz, it could start at 250 MHz (RDA5815M)... But the octagon firmware does not allow this.

Stephane.

[pascha99]

Sat-DXers wil get the same problems in future
There are no real low SR alternatives to the STM demodulators,especially the advanced versions
like the STV0900aac or the 910adb.
For both production has ended and also the last one from STM,the STiD135(only sr 300ksym upto)
is now not recommend for new designs.Looks like STM is going off from that market.
Like other companies also do.
Silicon image ,their demods are also not in stock anymore.

So the question is,what to use in future?
Maybe there are two candidates,like the availink AVL6261 in the version A,
or an updated STiD135 clone,the EZiD211
But nobody knows,if they are capable todo lower SR on request.
Another way is to ask serit,i m sure they will have a solution for
https://github.com/availink/documentati ... _brief.pdf
https://easii-ic.com/wp-content/uploads ... ASHEET.pdf

[g0mjw]

Thanks Stephane

How well does it work on QO-100?

We'll be needing the long-form datasheet for that chip if we are going to make progress. The short data sheet is here: https://www.skyworksinc.com/-/media/Sky ... -short.pdf

Dave

It works fine, except it can't be relied on to lock on to the intended signal, it is just as likely to lock onto another 333ks signal that's probably firmware though.

I still think the long term solution is an SDR and software, perhaps running on an FPGA or graphics card. That way the receiver bandwidth can be optimised and there wouldn't be any lower limit on symbol rate, besides patience waiting for a frame to complete.

Mike

[DL5BCA]

The question is whether a PLL-locked normal LNB could be used as a 10GhZ downconverter and then do the AD conversion with an SDR?
You can generate a DVBS signal on the transmission side, then it should also work on the reception side, right?

[pascha99]

Thanks Stephane

How well does it work on QO-100?

We'll be needing the long-form datasheet for that chip if we are going to make progress. The short data sheet is here: https://www.skyworksinc.com/-/media/Sky ... -short.pdf

Dave

The superset source code of the silabs you can find here:
https://github.com/swks-mss/video_si21xx_superset
There are ways to use directly or via fx2 usb-interface..

Cheap NIMs with si2166 demod you can find on "plugins-tuners" for gigablue,octagon,AX etc. receivers
For example ,TS3L10...NIM pinout is known(using ssi)...but for pcb you have to find out pins
https://store.gigablue.de/zubehoer/tune ... r-v.2.html