LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

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n1gp
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LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby n1gp » Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:14 pm

This firmware is to fix an issue where there is no RF output with QSK CW selected.
This happens only on the Orion2 EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA units.

See this thread for more info on the issue: https://community.apache-labs.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4532

Note that it doesn't happen on the EP4CG FPGA (early MKIIs) so no new firmware there.

It would be advantageous if a few of the testers had access to a spectrum analyzer
to check for spectral purity during transmit.

Things to test using Thetis:

  • There is RF output with QSK CW selected
  • Pure Signal is working
  • ADC0 and ADC1 both work (route ADC1 from RX2 on back)
  • All Bands are working
  • Diversity is working
  • Wideband is working
  • Sequence errors do not happen on transmit nor receive
  • No jumping of noise floor where it sticks in high position
  • Attenuators are working
  • OC Controls are working
  • Ant 1-3 connectors are working

Please reply to this thread if your interested in helping to Alpha test either
the ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE or 5CEFA FPGA firmware.

Once we get 4-5 or more folks I'll send out links to the Alpha firmware.

-Rick / N1GP
rdwing
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby rdwing » Sun Mar 26, 2023 6:22 pm

Definitely interested, I have access to other SDR's here as well as a spec an.
Thanks for all you do.
W4WMT
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby W4WMT » Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:48 pm

Hi Rick,

I have an EP4CE equipped 7000 (also a spectrum analyzer) and would be happy to participate.

73,

Bryan W4WMT
K1CWD
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby K1CWD » Mon Mar 27, 2023 12:52 am

Hi Rick,

I can do some functional testing. I have a 5CEFA MKIII.

Out of curiosity are you using prime or II for development?

Craig K1CWD
NS8K
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby NS8K » Mon Mar 27, 2023 1:36 am

Rick,

Since I posted the original observation, I'd be happy to help out. Test equipment and knowledge is limited though. I have a 5CEFA MkIII.

Thanks,

Tom - NS8K
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n1gp
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby n1gp » Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:54 am

Thanks guys.

I sent a PM to each of you.


Craig / K1CWD, I'm using Quartus Prime Lite 20.1
vk1hx
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby vk1hx » Sat Jul 29, 2023 7:48 am

Would anyone happen to know if there was a P2 firmware version released, Orion_MkIII_CV_P2_v2.1.12D.rbf?

If so could someone send me a copy please? email is my callsign at hotmail.com

Regards
73, Phil - VK1HX
W4WMT
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby W4WMT » Sat Jul 29, 2023 9:54 am

Yes, there was a "D" build, but it was DOA (according to Rick).
73!

EDIT:
I meant to say, there was a Orion_MkIII_Protocol_2_v2.1.27D.rbf, is that the one you're looking for?
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w-u-2-o
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby w-u-2-o » Sat Jul 29, 2023 10:30 am

You can still find the D version here:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4292#p21307
vk1hx
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby vk1hx » Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:20 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:You can still find the D version here:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=4292#p21307


Thanks for the link Scott, however I'm looking for the CV version as posted: Orion_MkIII_CV_P2_v2.1.12D

I've got another Andromeda which wont run any of the P2 firmware files stable, constant sequence errors on RX and TX, Thetis lockups on RX and TX, PS not working, off frequency, the list goes on.

It came from the factory with Metis_Orion_MkII_v2.8_P1_CV_N1GP_9 installed. However, trying to get P2 to work is just not possible. All I know is that the P2 firmware files that will work partially are over 3mb is files size.

All the network tweaking has been set.
73, Phil - VK1HX
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w-u-2-o
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby w-u-2-o » Sat Jul 29, 2023 4:53 pm

I've never seen such a version posted anywhere.
vk1hx
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Re: LOOKING FOR ALPHA TESTERS for ANAN-7000/Andromeda EP4CE and 5CEFA FPGA firmware update

Postby vk1hx » Sat Jul 29, 2023 9:12 pm

Thanks,

I've tried the following versions of P2 firmware for hardware using the 5CEFA9F31 Cyclone V series FPGA.

Metis_Orion_MkIII_CV_P2_v2.1.12A
Metis_Orion_MkIII_CV_P2_v2.1.12B
Metis_Orion_MkIII_CV_P2_v2.1.12C

And the latest offering - Metis_Orion_MkIII_P2_CV_21.7
73, Phil - VK1HX

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