CalRadio 1

CALRADIO 1.0

Overview

Cal-(IT)2 is developing several generations of general broad application radio/networking test platforms for wireless research and development. CalRadio I is the first generation. It provides a simple, low-cost platform for 802.11b development from the MAC layer and up. It accomplishes this by putting all the MAC functionality into 'C' code that runs on a DSP. It uses the Intersil (Conexant) Prism chip set for the physical layer. Additionally, the C5471 Texas Instruments DSP contains an ARM processor that is used to host a small Open Linux operating kernel to provide easy access to programming, downloading and display/monitoring of data. CalRadio I functions both as a test instrument, an access point, and as a WiFi client.

The design, schematics, software, and documentation are for public use under the conditions of the open license included as an appendix.

Acknowledgements

Support for the development was provided by Cal-(IT)2 under the direction of Ramesh Rao. The overall design of the system and development management was by Douglas Palmer with RF support by Don Kimball, both with Cal-(IT)2. The RF module design and initial MAC implementation software was provided by Symbol Technologies through the cooperation of Bob Beach and by Kamran Khojasteh. The CodeComposer software development studio for the TI TMS320VC5471 was donated by Texas Instruments thanks to Cathy Wicks.

Architecture

CalRadio I consists of three hardware components: MP Board, RF Module and enclosure, and the software/firmware to drive it. The MP board contains all the digital processing, memory, 802.3 Ethernet interface, serial interface and

MP Board Description

Features

TI TMS320VC5471 ARM+ DSP (ARM7TDMI + 5410 style DSP)
8-bit software controlled internal status LEDs
Power On/Off key, 2-GP keys, and reset control key
Power management
Operation from WallWart (Plug Transformer) (9 - 14 volt) via power connector
Size 4" x 6" x 3"
Four external LED indicators
External reset pushbuttons
RJ45 Ethernet jack
Dismountable antennas - SMA connector
10/100 Ethernet Phy
4 channel ADC 100KSPS (TLV2541)
4 channel DAC 100KSPS (TLV5636)
Jumpers on all power connections to measure current draw
Serial port connector (external) Mini-DIN
EMIF pins to mezzanine connector + Vcc
2 Mbytes static RAM - ARM side, 512KB - DSP
16 Mbytes SDRAM - ARM side
4 Mbytes Flash ROM - ARM side
DSP Expansion connector

Datasheet Directories

Datasheets, BOM, schematics and all other information required to build, test and evaluate CalRadio 1 is found here.

DSP Software/Firmware

CalRadio 1.0 has a complete 802.11b stack implemented on the DSP. This drives (is driven by) the plug-in RF module. As more plug-ins are developed additional software will be added to the DSP kernel to enable different protocols. The key value of CalRadio is that the MAC portion is implemented in 'C' code on the DSP giving developers unprecendented access to all aspects of the low-level stack implementation.

Operating System Software

The ARM processor on the TI TMS320VC5471 processor runs the operating system for CalRadio 1.0. Currently we have ucLinux running as the primary OS. This version was supplied by Cadenux.

uClinux is a derivative of Linux 2.0 kernel intended for microcontrollers without Memory Management Units (MMUs). You can learn more about ucLinux at: http://www.uclinux.org. A common question is: What the difference between linux and uClinux? The answer is:

Poor support for multitasking
More efficient kernel binaries and source code
Much smaller image (uCkernel < 512 kb, uCkernel + tools < 900 kb)

uClinux comes equipped with a full TCP/IP stack, as well as support for numerous other networking protocols. uClinux also supports the following file systems: NFS, ext2, MS-DOS, and FAT16/32

Application Software

RF Module Description

This 802.11b transceiver module was designed by Kamran Khojasteh of Symbol Technologies. It is based upon the Maxim MAX2821 2.4GHz 802.11b Zero-IF Transceiver. The MAX2820 is a highly integrated RF Zero-IF transceiver designed specifically for the 802.11b (11MB/sec) DSSS applications in the 2.4-2.5GHz ISM band. The transceiver includes all the circuitry required to implement an RF to baseband transceiver solution; providing a fully integrated receive path, transmit path, VCO, frequency synthesis and baseband/control interface. Only a PA, RF switch, RF BPF and a handful of passive components are needed to form the complete 802.11b physical layer solution. The IC completely eliminates the need for external IF filters by implementing a direct-conversion radio architecture and monolithic baseband filters for both receiver and transmit. The RFIC is specifically optimized for 802.11b (11MB/sec CCK) applications. The baseband filtering, RX & TX signal paths support the CCK modulation scheme for BER=10^-5 at the required sensitivity levels. The device is suitable for the full range of 802.11 data rates (1, 2, 5.5,11MB/sec) at corresponding sensitivity levels and 22MB/sec PBCC systems. The following are a list of the transceivers features:

2400-2500MHz ISM band operation
802.11b (11MB/sec CCK) PHY compatible
Complete RF/IF transceiver
Direct conversion up & down converters
Monolithic low phase noise VCO
Integrated baseband low-pass filters
Integrated PLL w/ 3-wire serial interface
Digital bias control for external PA
Transmit power control (range > 25dB)
Receive baseband AGC (range > 65dB)
Complete Baseband Interface
Digital TX/RX Mode control
Analog receive level detection
90dB RX dynamic range @ 1MB/sec
74dB RX dynamic range @ 11MB/sec
0dBm transmit power (ACPR < -36dBc)
Single +2.7V to +3.6V supply
Shutdown mode (Icc < 10uA)

Specifications

Quantity	Specification
Weight	336 gm. (12 ozs)
Height	5.5 cm. (2 3/16 in.)
Length	17.5 cm. (6 3/4 in.)
Width	10.5 cm. (4 1/8 in.)
Oper. voltage	9 - 14 VDC
Pwr. Consumption	4.0 - 6.0W Max
Enclosure	Aluminum Hammond Box

Front Panel

Rear Panel

Copyrights and Protection - License Agreement

To be determined.

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