PowerSDR KE9NS v2.8.0 software download (for Flex-1500, Flex-3000, and Flex-5000 models).

• Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Software
• Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Setup
• Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Download
• Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Wireless

• Make sure the FLEX-5000 Firewire device driver is set to the same parameters and SafeMode 1 is the operating mode. If you are unsure how to do this operation, refer to the Knowledge Center article How to Configure Hardware Sampling Rate, Hardware Buffers and Operation Mode in the FLEX-5000 Control Panel.
• Revised January 31, 2013 Page of 100 Copyright © 2011-2013 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

Introduction -- What's It All About?

The HPSDR is an open source (GNU type) hardware and software project intended as a 'next generation' Software Defined Radio (SDR) for use by Radio Amateurs ('hams') and Short Wave Listeners (SWLs). It is being designed and developed by a group of SDR enthusiasts with representation from interested experimenters worldwide.

The rationale behind the project is to break the overall design up into a number of modules. Each module is designed by an individual or group and connects to other modules using a pre-defined and common bus -- rather like plugging boards into a PC motherboard.

This modular approach enables prospective users to incorporate just the modules that interest them as well as designing their own variants if desired. The approach also enables new ideas and circuits to be tested by replacing an existing module. Since the majority of modules will be retained, such experimentation can be done with minimum disruption to an existing working system.

The modules vary in complexity from simple bandpass filters and input/output interfaces, to full blown DSP functions. Such variety enables experimenters with varying degrees of experience to contribute.

Thus far, the modules have each been named for easier identification when talking or writing about them. On this website, each module has its own web page, as noted by the tab selections near the top of the page. Some of the modules are being designed so that they can be either used in conjunction with others or stand-alone. Each module board size (except the backplane) will be 100 mm. by 120 to 220 mm. and use either a 96 pin or 64 pin DIN41612 type connector.

Hardware Block Diagram

The following block diagram is a listing of the main parts of a HPSDR system. Note that the diagram is clickable and will take to webpages on the listed components. Also note that there is a bold black line coming in which is the common +13.8v DC power and the blue line indicates the connection to the computer.

Software Block Diagram

The second block diagram lists the software currently available as open source to operate the HPSDR hardware. The blue line indicates the connection to the hardware.

There are other programs that can work with HPSDR hardware. Some these include WinRad, WinRadHD, CWSkimmer to name a few.

Hermes block diagram

The following is a block diagram for the Hermes project. The Hermes project uses technology developed in the HPSDR boards but combines them in to two board that fit in a Euro style box. This radio might be for those that wish to go mobile with their SDR or do not wish to use the modular approach used in the development of the other boards. There has been some confusion in the that hardware is compatible and the same software works with these boards but the Hermes/Apollo boards are not design to use other HPSDR boards as they are developed in the future.

Some Glossary Definitions

Since this website and project is attracting interested persons who are not Radio Amateurs and hams who may not be familiar with some of the technical jargon, here are a few words about what some of the mysterious acronyms, etc. may stand for.

Radio Amateurs ('hams') -- persons around the world interested in radio communications and do so without monetary compensation (hence as in sports, the term 'amateur' as opposed to 'professional' in the sense of not receiving money for what they do). For more information on this hobby/service, start with www.hello-radio.org. In many cases on this website, we'll use the assigned 'call letters' of the ham -- in most cases,more information can be found about this person by going to a search website such as http://qrz.com.

SDR - Software Defined Radio -- These are radios where most of the radio is defined in software code either in FPGA, or in a supporting computer.

DSP - Digital Signal Processing -- The processing of a digitized signal with computer algorithms

FPGA - Field Programmable Gate Array -- These are large sets of gates in reconfigurable array. the chipc can be reprogramed by code.

Open source design

Brief definition of Open Source

In a 'nutshell', open source is a term that is applied to a philosophy, in that the production and organization of a project or system is created through open and cooperative efforts.

Open source software refers to computer software available with its source code and under an 'open source license' to study, change and improve its design and functionality.

There are many 'Open source software' licenses, the most prominent being the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL or simply GPL), originally written by Richard Stallman. The GPL grants the recipients of a computer program the following rights, or freedoms.

* The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
* The freedom to study how the program works, and modify it.
* The freedom to redistribute copies.
* The freedom to improve the program, and release the improvements to the public.

The users are treated like co-developers, are encouraged to submit additions to the software, code fixes, bug reports, documentation etc. Having more co-developers increases the rate at which the software evolves. Furthermore, each end user's machine provides an additional testing environment. This new testing environment offers the ability to find and fix a new bug quickly.

[Note: this definition does not go into the various obligations and legalities and is intended to be brief andnon-exhaustive. The original was supplied by Kevin, M0KHZ with a few words 'Americanized' by the webmaster.]

Open Hardware License - Non-Commercial License

This GPL philosophy extends to the hardware for this HPSDR cooperative project. However it was felt by many that the software GPL and similar licenses would not adequately cover the hardware portion of this project, so an Open Hardware License (OHL) was devised. Also, another license referred to as the NCL - Non-Commercial License, was implemented to take care of situation where the project developers wish to reserve commercial licensing rights. The complete text of the two versions of the OHL/NCL licenses along with some explanation may be found on the TAPR website athttp://www.tapr.org/ohl.html

Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Software

Future Modules

In order to provide a complete SDR, other modules will require developing.

There is still much to be done in bringing HPSDR to fruition. For those experimentally minded Amateurs this may turn out to be the golden age of (software defined) radio!

Milestones

Please look at ht HPSDR history page to learn more on how we got to where we are today.

Further Information

There are several sources of further information about this project and the various modules. On the 'cutting edge'of information we have a discussion list. There's more information about the list/reflector if you click the menu bar in the upper left area of this web page where it says 'Discussion List'. Message traffic on the list varies from 0 to 20 or more in a day.

For those who just wish to be informed about important announcements or events in the HPSDR project, we have an 'announce only' list with very low traffic. More information about this announcement list may be found at the same 'Discussion List' menu bar.

How does one become a participant? Jump right in! Subscribe to the discussion list. Make suggestions, ask questions, offer ideas for new modules, volunteer to help with design, research alternatives, PCB layout, documentation, firmware and software ...

Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Setup

The tabs at the top edge of this web page will lead you to individual module web pages. We also now have a 'wiki' atCommunity_Portal to which the project leaders have direct edit accessand is more current than the module web pages on this website. You'll most likely find the latest informationon the design and progress in the wiki.

Contacting Us

Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Download

The best method of contacting any of the developers is to join the discussion list (you must subscribe in order to post a message) and 'talk' to them directly there.

Drivers Flexradio Systems/hpsdr.org Wireless

For web page inquiries, reporting broken links or incorrect information, wiki, discussion list subscriptions, etc., pleaseemail the discussion list administrator and web/wiki-master directly at 'KV0S' at 'openhpsdr' dot 'org'.