Schematic

OpAmps_Schematic

Theory of Operation

This stage amplifies the quadrature audio frequency difference products from the Mixer stage via R17 and R18.
R19 and R20 make up a voltage divider that provides the 2.5 Vdc bias to the Op-Amps, configured as an inverting amplifier. The ratios of R21/R17 and R22/R18, respectively, determine the voltage gain of the output over the input for each Op-Amp. That voltage gain is theoretically 499:1, or about 54 dB. Each Op-Amp's output is capacitively coupled through a 100 ohm resistor to the "Ring" (Q) and "Tip" (I) Audio Out terminals for input to the PC's sound card.

Summary Build Steps

  • Install SMT Capacitors (5)
  • Install U7
  • Install resistors (8)
  • Install ceramic caps (5)
  • Testing

Bill of Materials

Designation Component Type Qty Notes
C13 0.01 µF SMT 1206 1  
C14 4.7 µF ceramic 1 code 475 
C15 0.1 µF SMT 1206 1  
C17 0.047 µF ceramic 1  code 473
C18 0.047 µF ceramic 1  code 473
C19 220 pF ceramic 1  code 221
C20 220 pF ceramic 1  code 221
C21 0.1 µF SMT 1206 1  
C22 0.1 µF SMT 1206 1  
C23 0.1 µF SMT 1206 1  
R17 10 Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (west-east)
R18 10 Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (west-east)
R19 1k Ohm Resistor 1% 1 Hairpin (south - North)
R20 1k Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (east- west)
R21 4.99k Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (east- west)
R22 4.99k Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (east- west)
R23 100 Ohm Resistor 1% 1 hairpin (north-south)
R24 100 Ohm Resistor 1% 1 Hairpin (south - North)
U7 LT6231 SOIC-8 OpAmp 1 (bottom)
n/a 5 µF ceramic 1 blocking capacitor for audio test (not furnished with kit)

Installation Notes


This stage mainly adds the amplification capabilities via the dual LT6231 Operational Amplifier, U7.  The builder must take necessary ESD precautions.  See the guidelines on installing SMT ICs.

Bottomside Components

(You may want to refer to the board bottom view)

Op-Amps Board Bottom

Install the SMT capacitors

  • Install the 0.01 µF SMT cap, C13 (from the unmarked strip)
  • Install the four 0.1 µF SMT caps:C15, C21-23 C (from the strip with the black marking).
Check Designation Component Type
  C13 0.01 µF SMT 1206
  C15 0.1 µF SMT 1206 (black-marked strip)
  C21 0.1 µF SMT 1206 (black-marked strip)
  C22 0.1 µF SMT 1206 (black-marked strip)
  C23 0.1 µF SMT 1206 (black-marked strip)

Install U7

(see notes on ESD precautions and SMT IC Installation)
  • Install U7, the LT6231 Operational Amplifier, on the bottom of the board
Check Designation Component Orientation
  U7 LT6231 SOIC-8 OpAmp

Topside Components


Install Resistors

  • Install resistors R17-R24 (observe the correct "hairpin" orientation - see table below).

OpAmp_Resistors

Check Designation Component Type Component Orientation
  R17 10 Ohm Resistor 1% hairpin (west-east)
  R18 10 Ohm Resistor 1% hairpin (west-east)
  R19 1k Ohm  Resistor 1% Hairpin (south - North)
  R20 1k Ohm  Resistor 1% hairpin (east- west)
  R21 4.99k Ohm Resistor 1% hairpin (east- west)
  R22 4.99k Ohm Resistor 1% hairpin (east- west)
  R23 100 Ohm Resistor 1% hairpin (north-south)
  R24 100 Ohm Resistor 1% Hairpin (south - North)

Install Ceramic Caps

  • Install the 5 ceramic capacitors (C14, C17-C20)

OpAmp_Ceramics

Check Designation Component Value (code) Type
  C14 4.7 µF (code 475) ceramic
  C17 0.047 µF (code 473) ceramic
  C18 0.047 µF (code 473) ceramic
  C19 220 pF (code 221) ceramic
  C20 220 pF (code 221) ceramic

Completed Stage

Top

completed top side

Bottom

completed bottom side

Testing


Current Draw (DMM - 108 mA)

  • Remember the 14 mA downward adjustment for the CMOS version of the Si570.
  • Set SW1 for a center frequency of 7.046 MHz ("0100")
  • Apply power and measure the current with your DVM's ma meter.
  • The current draw on the LVDS version of the Si570 should be on the order of 107-108 mA

Current Limited Power Test

  • Connect a 100 ohm resistor in series with the power line and apply 12 V dc power
  • the current should be relatively low (around 10 mA or less)
  • Measure the voltage WRT ground at the +5 V and at the 3.3 Vdc testpoints.
  • A voltage of around 2 V dc on each testpoint indicates the power rails are not shorted

Voltage Divider R19/R20 (DMM - 2.5 Vdc)

Voltage Divider Testpoint
  • Measure the voltage at the R20 hairpin lead with respect to ground.
  • It should read approximately 2.5 Vdc (½ the 5 volt rail).
Test Point Units Expected Voltage as Measured
R20 hairpin lead Vdc 2.5

Pin Voltages (DMM - 5, 2.5, and 0 Vdc)

Testpoints for Opamp Pin Voltages
  • Measure the voltages at the pins of U7. 
  • It is best to test for pin voltages at the actual pins (not the pads), thereby ensuring correct soldering of the pins to the pads.
Test Point Units Expected Pin Voltage(s) as Measured
U7, Pins 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7 Vdc 2.5  
U7, Pin 8 Vdc 5  
U7, Pin 4 Vdc 0  

OpAmp Test - DMM (No Scope)

Tony Parks suggested this next test for those who do not have an oscilloscope and/or audio frequency generator, since it requires only a DMM and some clip leads.

The test will test each of the two Op-Amps, but the steps described are for the second Op-Amp and involves R18 and R22. The test for the first Op-Amp involves, respectively, R17 and R21.

If the Op-Amp being tested is working, then the voltage measured at the output of the Op-Amp will increase to accomodate the effect of the changed bias on the input.   Passing these tests gives you more than enough confidence to move on to the Mixer stage.

Testpoints for No-Scope Test of OpAmps
  • Obtain a 10k resistor (or use the 10k resistor - R15 - that is to be installed in the next stage)
  • using the DMM, measure the dc voltage with respect to ground at the hairpin of R22.
    The result should be approximately 2.5 Vdc (½ the 5 Vdc rail).
  • keep the DMM lead on R22's hairpin
  • Using two clip leads, "bridge" the 10k resistor between the hairpin of R18 and ground. See the diagram to the left.
  • Observe the voltage reading at R22 hairpin. If OpAmp 1 is working, the voltage should have jumped to approximately 3.75 Vdc
  • Remove the resistor/clip lead from R18 and the voltage at R22 should go back to the 2.5 Vdc level.
  • Follow these same steps for OpAmp2, substituting R17 for R18 and R21 for R22.

Audio Injection (optional)
(AF Oscillator/Scope/Freq Counter)

Testpoint for OpAMps
  • Set up an audio signal generator for a low-level (10 mV p-p) output (you can use the output of IQGen or DQGen or Rocky's TX)
  • Connect the audio generator's output, through a 5 µF dc blocking capacitor, to the hairpin lead of either R17 (for the "Q"/"Ring" Ouput) or R18 (for the "I"/"Tip" output)
  • Connect the Scope's CH2 probe to the "Ring" or "Tip" output pad on the board
  • Connect the Oscilloscope's CH1 probe to the audio generator's output
  • Power up the board and adujust the amplitude of the input signal
  • Measure the output. The gain should be on the order of 5 V p-p (54 dbB gain)
  • Repeat the above steps for the other ("Tip" or "Ring") board output

Op-Amp In/Out

Op-Amp I/O Test

Courtesy of Leonard KC0WOX

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