mØxpd ©

Receiver Shield for the Arduino

The Kanga / m0xpd Arduino Rx Shield is a simple Direct Conversion

receiver sub-system for the HF bands.

It is offered as an Arduino “shield”, allowing a complete receiver to

be assembled from an Arduino single board computer (UNO or
MEGA) and an appropriate RF generator (either the Kanga / m0xpd
DDS Shield or the new Kanga / m0xpd Si5351 Shield). Optionally, the
Kanga / m0xpd Tx Shield can also be added to form a complete CW
Transceiver.

The Rx shield will operate on any HF band – the band is selected by

an external band-pass filter on the input (NOT SUPPLIED).

Example software (Arduino “sketches”), including code for the full CW transceiver, is available for download from
the m0xpd blog.

The Rx shield may also be used as the foundation of a conventional receiver, independent of an Arduino or any such
digital system, in which case only a VFO signal (plus band-pass filter) is required.

The Rx Shield uses a 602/612 Gilbert Cell Mixer, followed by a two-stage audio path which supports limited on-
board filtering, an off-board send/return loop (in which the user can add volume control, further filtering or
processing, etc), on-board Rx muting, and a level control. There is an on-board (LM386) amplifier, which will easily
drive low impedance headphones or a speaker.

The system can be powered by the Arduino “VIn” power line, or an external power source can be selected.

History
The present Rx Shield has its origins in the receiver constructed for the “Occam’s Microcontroller” Transceiver. That
Rx was heavily influenced by the receiver section of w7el’s “Optimised Transceiver for 40m” and used a discrete
mixer and transformers wound on toroidal cores. A second receiver shield was produced according to a simplified
design produced as a (deliberate) homage to g3rjv’s “Sudden”, for presentation at the G-QRP’s 2013 Mini-
Convention. That second receiver preserved the muting arrangement of the first design (inspired by w7el) and is the
basis for the present Kanga / m0xpd Arduino Rx Shield, which differs only in the substitution of a surface-mount
package for the input mixer (as this part is no longer manufactured in a DIL package) and in some rationalisation of
the audio filtering.

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Structure
The overall structure of the Rx Shield is shown below...

RF (from the input band-pass filter) is applied to the

mixer, which mixes it directly to audio frequency. The
first stage of the audio path applies some high-pass
filtering and amplifies the signal at variable gain, before
providing a low-impedance drive for the external audio
loop.

This loop allows external filtering or other processing to

be applied to the signal path (it can optionally be
bypassed by a simple jumper, supplied).

Signals returning from the external loop can be muted, under the control of a logic signal usually derived from the
hosting Arduino computer, after which the second stage of amplification applies further high-pass and low-pass
filtering, before passing the audio onward to the power amplifier, where still more low-pass filtering is applied.

A fixed-gain audio input is provided to the second audio stage, usually connected to Arduino pin D9, which provides
Sidetone outputs in the m0xpd software. This connection is made by header, such that the shield can be easily
reconfigured for other purposes as required.

Using the External Audio Loop

The provision of an off-board loop for the addition of extra processing in the audio path was originally intended to
support sophisticated filtering (such as the m0xpd CW filter described in SPRAT 146). However, it can be either
ignored (by bypassing with a header jumper, as suggested in the figure above) or it can be used to provide a
convenient volume control. The “gain” control on the shield is only a small trimmer and the shield may not be
positioned to allow easy access to this trimmer in use – so a real “volume control” is better for operation.

The external loop must preserve the dc “biasing” of the audio signal in order to
the Rx mute to work, so a simple way to implement a volume control is
suggested in the figure left, in which a potentiometer, configured as an ordinary
potential divider, is grounded not to “ground” but to an “ac ground”, provided by
a large capacitor.

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Band Pass Filter
The Rx Shield requires an input band-pass filter for correct operation. A suitable circuit is given here...

Pay particular attention to the wiring of the input to the Rx shield, JP2 – notice that the “bottom” of the parallel LC
network at the second coil is NOT grounded. Also pay attention to the pin numbering of JP2 – the outer pins both are
grounds, but if you mix up pins 2 and 3 when you hook up the band-pass filter you’ll lose a lot of sensitivity...

Appropriate inductor / capacitor values for each amateur band are detailed on the following G-QRP technical page,
which describes a similar (not identical) network built around “TOKO” coils: http://www.gqrp.com/technical1.htm

Replacements for the Toko coils are now available from the range manufactured by Spectrum Communications
Limited and available through the G-QRP club.

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Construction and Testing
Although this is a relatively simple kit, it is best to approach construction in a structured manner as this will allow
systematic testing.

The mixer, IC1, is supplied as a surface mount device, which is soldered directly onto the (top) of the board. This will
require the greatest degree of “access” with the soldering iron – particularly if you are not used to dealing with
surface-mount components. Accordingly, it is best to solder this component in place first, whilst there is nothing else
to obstruct you!

The device must be mounted in the correct orientation, with Pin 1 on the pad labelled with a nearby “1” on the
mask. Generally, IC packages are labelled such that when you hold the package in the correct orientation to be able
to read the text, Pin 1 is at bottom left. Here’s a photo of the SA602 chip with pin 1 identified and a portion of the
board with the pad associated with Pin 1 also identified...

Once IC1 is successfully mounted, leave it – we are not going to power it up until later in the construction process.

Next, we turn our attention to the audio power amplifier, IC3...

Populate R8:12, C11:18, X2 (the 3.5mm jack socket), an 8-pin DIL socket for IC3 (observing correct orientation), the
male headers at JP3 (to make a temporary 12V connection) and the right-angle headers at JP1 (to make a temporary
ground connection). Test the resistance between JP3 pin 2 (12V) and JP1 pin 1 or 4 (ground), to check for
unexpected shorts – should be an open-circuit.

Now insert IC3, after forming the legs to ensure correct spacing.

Ensure correct orientation as you insert IC3 - pin 1 is marked on the board and the “text rule” above applies to orient
the socket and the chip [additionally i) there may be a “dot” near pin one on the package or ii) there may be a semi-
circular cut-out at the end of the left-hand end of the package when held in the orientation such that pin 1 is at
bottom left]. A summary of the “pin 1 identification rules” is given below...

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Apply +12V to JP3 pin 2, relative to a ground connection to JP1 pin 1 or 4.

Current consumption with no (speaker) load connected and no input should be approximately 3.2mA

Now connect a suitable loudspeaker to the jack – you should be able to hear a buzzing noise if you touch IC3 pin 2 or
3 (and current consumption will rise accordingly – perhaps to 40mA if you’re driving a low impedance load).

If all is well, move on to construct the audio path...

Populate R1:4, R7, R13 and R14. Populate C1:6, C9 and C10. Populate the 2*2 male header at JP5 and the Insert Q1,
forming the leads to ensure correct orientation. Insert an 8-pin DIL socket for IC4, ensuring correct orientation.

The audio path has a LOT of available gain (to allow for lossy filters in the external loop). Set the gain control close to
minimum gain for initial testing – this is achieved by rotating the trimmer CLOCKWISE to near the end of its travel.

Check for accidental shorts in the power supply, by measuring the resistance between JP3 pin 2 (12V) and JP1 pin 1
or 4 (ground), which now will show the 20k combination of R13 and R14.

Insert IC4, after forming the legs to ensure correct spacing and observing correct orientation.

Adding the regulated power supply to the mixer, by adding IC2 and LED1, and fitting JP1 will allow the entire system
to be tested.

At this point, incoming RF from an antenna system must be applied via an input BPF (as previously described) via JP1
and the mixer must be supplied with an oscillator signal via pin 5 of the “m0xpd RF Bus” on the Shield. This pin (via a
convention established on the original Kanga / m0xpd DDS Shield) is named “Spare” and marked “[ ]” on the silk
screening on the board.

Current consumption of the Rx Shield driving a typical small speaker (in the test a pair of surplus computer
loudspeakers, driven in parallel to present a 4 Ohm load were used) to comfortable listening level is approximately
50mA.

At this point you can also confirm correct operation of the Rx mute system, by taking the mute line to ground –
connecting JP5 pin 4 to ground should mute the audio path.

Sidetone Input
The Rx shield has a fixed-gain input to the final stages of the audio chain – provided for sidetone when the system is
used in a transceiver.

The suggested component values C7 & 8 and R5 & 6 are indicative and – whilst successful, have been found to
generate too loud a sidetone signal in some applications (particularly for headphone use).

Users are encouraged to experiment with these values in their own application – which is why their installation is left
until this late stage of construction.

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Headers for Arduino Stacking
Once the system is complete and tested, those users wishing to operate the shield as part of a “stack” on an Arduino
and/or other shields should connect the five stacking header connectors.

Note that the board supports the full Arduino 1.0 pin out, with the IOREF signal on the power bus and the additional
I2C lines “above” D13. The receiver uses neither of these resources and the kit is shipped with the “standard”
complement of stacking headers.

When you fit the stacking headers, be careful to populate the supplied headers only in the correct locations, as
shown below...

[Any users who wish to fit wider headers to conduct the I2C and IOREF bus signals to another board stacked above
the receiver must supply their own 8- or 10-pin component.]

Jumpers
The Rx Shield is provided with a number of male headers to allow a degree of flexibility in configuration. These are
explained in the following table.

Header Name Description

JP1 AF Loop Fit jumper between pins 2 & 3 to bypass external loop
OR
See notes on “Using the External Audio Loop”
JP3 V In Isolate Fit jumper to power Rx shield from Arduino “V In” Power source
OR
Leave open to apply external power at pads provided at “JP4”
JP5 [1:2] Sidetone Isolate Fit Header to connect to standard SideTone Source (D9)
OR
Leave open to Isolate
JP5 [3:4] RxMute Isolate Fit Header to connect to standard Rx Mute Source (D10)
OR
Leave open to Isolate

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Board Layout

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015 -2018 All rights r eserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

Schematic

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

 Component Listing

X Part Type Marking Notes

R1 2.7KΩ Red, Violet, Red, Gold
R2 100kΩ Blue 6mm Trimmer
R3 1MΩ Brown, Black, Green, Gold
R4 2.2KΩ Red, Red, Red, Gold
R5 22KΩ Red, Red, Orange, Gold
R6 220KΩ Red, Red, Yellow, Gold
R7 2.2KΩ Red, Red, Red, Gold
R8 10KΩ Brown, Black, Orange, Gold
R9 10KΩ Brown, Black, Orange, Gold
R10 33Ω Orange, Orange, Black, Gold
R11 10Ω Brown, Black, Black, Gold
R12 1KΩ Brown, Black, Red, Gold
R13 10KΩ Brown, Black, Orange, Gold
R14 10KΩ Brown, Black, Orange, Gold

C1 4N7 4n7K
C2 100nF 104
C3 220nF 224
C4 100pF 101
C5 1nF 102
C6 220nF 224
C7 100nF 104 Brown Disc Ceramic
C8 220nF 224
C9 10nF 103
C10 1µF 1µF 16v Electrolytic Observe Polarity
C11 10nF 103
C12 100µF 100µF 16v Electrolytic Observe Polarity
C13 10µF 10µF 16v Electrolytic Observe Polarity
C14 100nF 104
C15 100µF 100µF 16v Electrolytic Observe Polarity
C16 100nF 104
C17 100µF 100µF 16v Electrolytic Observe Polarity
C18 100nF 104

X Part Type Marking Notes

IC1 SA602/612 SMD
IC2 5v Regulator 78ls05 TO92
IC3 LM386 LM386-N1 8 Pin DIL
IC4 NE5532 NE5532 8 Pin DIL
Q1 J310 J310 FET

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015-2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk

 Misc
Parts
3.5mm Stereo Socket x1
8 Pin Header (Arduino) x2
6 Pin Header (Arduino) x3
90° Angle Header Pin x2
2x2 Pin Header (Straight) x1
2 Pin Header
(Straight) x2
Jumpers x4
Shield PCB x1

©m0xpd/Kanga Products 2015 -2018 All rights reserved www.kanga-products.co.uk