New firmware update R3.0.7 for Airspy HF+ Dual Port and Discovery

Dear friends,

We are glad to announce a new firmware release for the Airspy HF+ series: 3.0.7

This release improves the streaming performance along with the addition of extra sample rates: 912 and 456 ksps. It can be applied to the HF+ Dual, HF+ Discovery BB and CD.

You can get the update package from the product page of your device under the section "Firmware Updates":

https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus

https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-discovery

The change log can be found, as usual at:

https://airspy.com/downloads/hfplus_changelog.txt

Enjoy!

The Airspy Team

Notes :

1) You MUST connect the unit DIRECTLY to the PC. Not via a hub.  

2) Always check your current firmware before upgrading. 

3) Check your firmware version, if it ends in -BB, you need to use BB firmware. If it ends in -CD, use CD firmware.  

4) All HF+ Dual Port units are the BB version.

Installation procedure :

Pre-requisites:

1. Windows 10 or Windows 7

Standard Firmware Upgrade Procedure:

1. Connect the unit to the PC

2. Double click on flash.bat

3. Disconnect the device from the PC

4. Connect the device again

5. Done

Recovery Procedure:

Due to a bug in the first firmware, this procedure must be used for the first firmware upgrade.

Subsequent updates should work with the standard procedure above.

1. Open the HF+ enclosure

2. Connect the device to the PC

3. Short the Erase pins for one second (see the photo)

4. Disconnect the device from the PC

5. Connect the device again

6. Double click on flash.bat

7. Wait until it flashes and verifies the data

8. Disconnect the device from the PC

9. Connect the device again

10. Done

(via airspy list)

Airspy YouLoop antenna is on sale

Airspy has finally managed to get a few hundreds YouLoop units built professionally and shipped to their US distributor as well as RTL-SDR Blog's store. Most of them were already reserved, and they are building a few more.

Shop at AirspyUS : https://v3.airspy.us/product/ant-youloop-1/

Shop at RTL-SDR Blog : 

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/tag/shop/

- OR -

Build one by yourself: https://airspy.com/youloop

Description

- Electrically balanced passive loop design with low loss RF transformer to cancel the responses to electric fields.

- Ideal for noisy environments where electric-field sensors like the mini-whip antennas are impracticable.

- High Performance DX when used with a low noise preamplifier.

- High quality 2 meters (approx. 6 feet) transmission line included.

- Frequency Range: 10 kHz to 30 MHz

- Usable in FM/VHF as a folded dipole up to 300 MHz.

- Maximum power: 250 mW

Specifications

- HF Response: 10kHz to 30 MHz

- VHF Response: up to 300 MHz

- Maximum Power: 250 mW

- Passive Design

- No Tuning required

- Low Loss BALUN with 0.28 dB loss type

(Via Airspy list)

New updates for SDR#, libairspyhf and Airspy HF+ (Discovery) Firmware

Airspy has announced the latest releases of SDR# r1702, libairspyhf r1.5.0 and Airspy HF+ Firmware r2.4.0. 

Here's a summary of the changes:

The FM Stereo flag was added in the SDR# API: FmPilotIsDetected.

A new experimental Low-IF mode at a lower sample rate (256ksps IQ) was added across the chain to allow portable devices to operate smoothly without requiring further DC/IQ correction or frequency translation. This mode is considered "experimental" because the AGC has yet to be optimized to accommodate for the smaller bandwidth, but it is already usable as-is with the AGC always on. 

For the curious types, 256ksps Low-IF was obtained by shifting the IF, adding a narrower channel filter and decimating 768ksps by 3. This gives a wonderful number that is a multiple of a known sound card standard rate: 32kHz.

The IQ streaming and command handling were optimized to allow all of this processing to happen. A positive side effect is that the streaming is no longer interrupted by the commands (set frequency, gain, etc.) - and this one is not experimental.

SDR# r1.0.0.1702 : https://airspy.com/download

libairspyhf r1.5.0: https://github.com/airspy/airspyhf/tree/master

HF+ Firmware R2.0.4 : https://airspy.com/downloads/airspy-hf-flash-20190708-bb.zip

New firmware update for the Airspy HF+ Rev 1.7.0

New firmware update for the Airspy HF+ Rev 1.7.0 has been released.

This update mainly adds support for the upcoming pre-selector addon on top of other minor enhancements.

The new firmware package can be downloaded from https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/#firmware-updates

Note also that libairspyhf was updated as well and added to the SDR# r1664 package 

http://airspy.com/download

New firmware update for the Airspy HF+ Rev 1.6.6

After long sessions of debugging and a lot of help from Leif Asbrink SM5BSZ, here's a new firmware update that improves the dynamic range by another 8 dB.

This may not be visible in all situations, but extreme signal cases would benefit from this upgrade. In order to simplify the maintenance, I moved all the firmware updates to the HF+ page:

https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/#firmware-updates

It is recommended to update SDR# as well, or libairspyhf if using a different SDR application:

https://airspy.com/download/

https://github.com/airspy/airspyhf/

Other improvements are in the works. Stay tuned!

(Prog via airspy list)

Playing with the Airspy R820T IF bandwidth

TLeconte via airspy list ...

https://tleconte.github.io/R820T/r820IF.html

Updated firmware R1.6.4 for Airspy HF+

Airspy HF+ new firmware update R1.6.4 2018-03-17 now available.

Basically, this update improves the IQ correction implemented in libairspyhf (airspyhf.dll).

Download at : https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/

New firmware for HF+ released

New firmware for HF+ released

This version adds more IF dynamic range to fit with the 16bit output. The Preamp setting now works without compensation. The digital margin is 3 dBFS.

Download at :  https://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/

Black Friday Offer #airspy

Black Friday Discount on a selection of Airspy products at ITead studio: #AirspyR2, #AirspyMini and #SpyVerter

https://www.itead.cc/search/result/?cat=&q=airspy

Use this coupon on your cart: AIRSPYBLACK

Airspy unveils Airspy HF+ specs

Airspy has unveiled details of upcoming Airspy HF+ at : http://airspy.com/airspy-hf-plus/

Technical specifications

HF coverage between DC .. 31 MHz
VHF coverage between 60 .. 260 MHz
-138 dBm MDS at 500Hz bandwidth in HF
-142 dBm MDS at 500Hz bandwidth in VHF
+26 dBm IIP3 on HF at maximum gain
+13 dBm IIP3 on VHF at maximum gain
110 dB dynamic range in HF
95 dB dynamic range in VHF
120 dB Image Rejection
Very low phase noise PLL (-110 dBc/Hz @ 1kHz separation @ 100 MHz)
+10 dBm Maximum RF input
No Silicon RF switch to introduce IMD in the HF path
Routable RF inputs
Wide Band RF filter bank
Tracking RF filters
Sharp IF filters
Smart AGC with real time optimization of the gain distribution
All RF inputs are matched to 50 ohms
2 x High Dynamic Range Sigma Delta ADCs @ up to 36 MSPS
600 kHz alias and image free output
18 bit Digital Down Converter (DDC)
0.5 ppm high precision, low phase noise clock
4 x Programmable GPIO's
No drivers required! 100% Plug-and-play on Windows Vista, Seven, 8, 8.1 and 10
Industrial Operating Temperature: -45°C to 85°C

AirSpy HF+ specs unveiled...

This will be a game-changer from Youssef (Airspy, SDR#), outstanding performance at a low price. SDR Console support – of course.

Preliminary specs:

RX range: 0 .. 30 MHz (HF) and 60 - 270 MHz (+)
Architecture: Hybrid (Direct conversion + DDC) using 2 x sigma delta ADC's @ 36 MSPS
Front end: Tracking Filters (all bands), High Dynamic Range LNA's and Mixers
AGC: Smart AGC controlled by the DSP
DSP: CIC, CFIR and a final (programmable) channel FIR - 18bit resolution
Final bandwidth/resolution after DDC: 18bit @ 600kHz - Scaled and streamed as 16bit
Image rejection: better than 120dBc
Blocking DR: 108 dB
Separate HF and VHF RF inputs - with option to use one multiplexed input if desired
USB 2.0 with Plug and play - No drivers needed
The RF section resides inside a metal shield
Aluminium enclosure about 60 x 100 x 15 mm^3

Basically, this addresses the lack of affordable and good performing receivers for HF and VHF.

Target price  < $200


Simon Brown, G4ELI
http://sdr-radio.com

(Via sdr-radio.com list)

2 x 36MSPS IQ (equivalent to direct sampling at 72 MSPS) gives roughly 36 MHz of bandwidth, however the ADC's used are sigma-delta with intrinsic anti-alias filtering.

We start with 16bit IQ at 36MSPS then it is frequency translated and decimated to 744.192 ksps 18bit IQ with a bit more than 600 kHz bandwidth plus the digital filter roll off. Given the very nature of sigma delta ADC's, the pressure on the front-end filtering is relaxed and the tracking filters are even more effective.

The image rejection is performed using a newly designed algorithm that matches the performance of the hardware.

All the decimation number crunching happens in the device like in most high end DDC receivers, so we only need a small USB throughput in the end (~23Mbps), and the CPU usage in the PC is very low.

Performance wise, the result is comparable to things like Perseus, RFSPACE, Elad, etc. but with a more modern full CMOS sensitive front end and at a fraction of the price.

Hopefully, this will redefine the word "performance" for most Hams and SWLs ;-)

(Youssef via sdr-radio.com list )

New HF SDR prototype from the makers of #AirSpy

Twitter user @lambdfew who's author of Airspy and SDR# has posted a few screenshots of new HF SDR prototype which has a -107dB noise floor and 18 bits of dynamic range.

Airspy mini reviewed by rtl-sdr.com

The Airspy Mini is a recently released $99 USD software defined radio with a tuning range of 24 MHz to 1800 MHz, 12-bit ADC and up to 6 MHz of bandwidth. 

The Mini is the younger brother of the $199 USD Airspy R2, but despite the $100 USD price difference, both units are very similar, which makes the Mini a very attractive option. The idea is that the Mini is the cheaper version for those who do not need the more advanced features of the R2.

Read the review by www.rtl-sdr.com here : http://www.rtl-sdr.com/review-airspy-mini/

Airspy Mini announced !

We are delighted to announce the long awaited Airspy Mini, the SDR Dongle built on top of the proven Airspy R2 infrastructure with an affordable price. Check this beauty!

Technical specifications:

Continuous 24 – 1800 MHz native RX range, down to DC with the SpyVerter option
3.5 dB NF between 42 and 1002 MHz
Tracking RF filters
35dBm IIP3 RF front end
12bit ADC (80dB Dynamic Range, 64dB SNR, 10.4 ENOB)
10, 6 and 3 MSPS IQ output - Optimized for portable and tablets
Up to 6 MHz panoramic spectrum view
0.5 ppm high precision, low phase noise clock
4.5v software switchable Bias-Tee 100% Compatible with SpyVerter and High Performance LNA
IQ or Real, 16bit fixed or 32bit float output streams
No IQ imbalance, DC offset or 1/F noise at the center of the spectrum that plagues all the other SDRs
No drivers required! 100% Plug-and-play on Windows Vista, Seven, 8, 8.1 and 10, all Linux Flavors, Mac and Android
Best software support of all existing SDRs
Compatible with Raspberry Pi, Odroid, Pine64 and UP boards
Operating temperature: -10°C to 40°C

Pre-order:
We started a pre-order for the Early Birds in a limited quantity at $99 each.

Order here : https://www.itead.cc/airspy-mini.html

(Youssef via airspy list)

New utility application for Airspy: Spectrum Spy

A new utility app is available for download with the standard SDR# package. It allows the visualization of larger frequency spans by exploiting Airspy's fast frequency tuning capability. The scanning speed is comparable to real spectrum analyzers (may be faster even!) The project is still in a PoC state, but the basic functionality provided is fully operational.

The downloads are available at sdr# website :

 

http://airspy.com/download

 

(Via airspy list)

Airspy R2 is out! – Oct. 1 2015

Airspy R2 is out! – Oct. 1 2015

We have sensitive ears! The demand for ever cheaper, higher performance and ruggedized SDR receivers is driving the professional market. Due to the large demand from our professional customers, we upgraded recently our original Airspy One design to Revision 2. This new revision improves the following points:

Better USB noise immunity
Better ESD protection on the RF input
Added ESD protection on the dual High Speed ADC inputs
Better RF Shielding
Better RF Filtering
Replaced the USB connector with a custom designed, more robust, 4 through hole points model
Better thermal stability
Better compatibility with the SpyVerter

More at  :  http://airspy.com/

Airspy

Good news, Airspy is coming!

Today, august 2 2014, we finished validating the last technical details and started preparing the production with our partners at Itead Studio and we should have a first batch of 500 units available soon. An email should be sent to the registrants with a link to purchase Airspy directly from Itead's website.

Our special thanks to all the folks on the IRC channel #airspy @ freenode who supported the project from the beginning and helped with code, testing, ideas and encouragements.

What is Airspy?

Airspy is a very tiny (5×3 cm) software defined radio receiver capable of sampling 10MHz of spectrum anywhere between 24MHz and 1.7GHz. It is the fruit of countless hours of head scratching, fiddling and experimenting with the cutting edge Radio and DSP technologies. We believe it will change the way radio professionals and enthusiasts see the spectrum beyond 30MHz.

Frequency hopping GSM signals Early prototype Fitting in the new aluminum enclosure FM Broadcast band in Paris, 1.5km away from the Eiffel tower antennas GSM Band with strong signals 

Technical specifications:

24 – 1750 MHz RX range with no gaps

3.5 dB NF between 42 and 1002 MHz

12bit ADC @ 20 MSPS (80dB SFDR, 64dB SNR, 10.4 ENOB)

Cortex M4F @ 200 MHz and up to 204MHz with Multi Core MCU (dual M0)

1.5 ppm clock

1 RTC clock

External clock input (10 MHz to 100 MHz)

10 MHz panoramic spectrum view with 8MHz alias/image free

IQ or Real, 16bit fixed or 32bit float output streams

No IQ imbalance, DC offset or 1/F noise at the center of the spectrum

that plagues all the other SDRs

Extension ports: SGPIO, 2 x ADC channels, 2 x programmable clocks

Possible usages:

Spectrum Analyzer,

Fast scanner,

Radio surveillance,

Direction Finding,

Passive Radars,

ADS-B,

FM Radio,

Analog TV,

Digital Terrestrial TV,

Ham Radio,

Heck, this is a software defined radio! The only limitation is your imagination

May be you will want to get one or two boards to experience the joy of listening to the radio waves like nobody did before and with software you can hack by yourself? Then register so we can let you know when

the product is ready for purchase! Our special thanks to the all folks who helped debugging and improving the project.

(Source : airspy.com)