Power System Design Assistance

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Below is a recommended schematic outline for your compact SDR module. Use the following reference to add parts and wire the nets in Flux.

Component List


DesignatorComponentDescriptionLink
J1USB Type-C ConnectorProvides both +5V power and USB data linesUSB Connector
U43.3V LDO RegulatorOnboard LDO regulator for 3.3V railLDO Regulator
U51.8V LDO RegulatorOnboard LDO regulator for 1.8V railLDO Regulator
C1, C20.1µF Decoupling CapacitorsPlace near each LDO’s output to filter high-frequency noise0.1uF Capacitor
C3, C410µF Decoupling CapacitorsBulk decoupling at each LDO output10uF Capacitor
U1RTL2832USDR receiver chip for digital signal decoding, powered from 3.3V/1.8V supplies and interfaced via USBRTL2832U
U2R820T2RF tuner (Rafael Micro R820T2) – Wideband RF reception; controlled via I2C/SPI from U1R820T
U3PGA103+ LNALow Noise Amplifier (approximate 20dB gain) to boost weak signals from the antennaPGA103+
F1RF Bandpass FilterCovers 24MHz–1766MHz – placed between the antenna and the LNABandpass Filter
ANTSMA ConnectorExternal antenna connector; ensure proper impedance controlSMA Connector
X128.8MHz CrystalClock oscillator for the tuner/control interface; used by U2 (and/or U1 as required)28.8MHz Crystal
H1GPIO Header(Optional) For direct connection to a Raspberry PiGPIO Header
TP1, TP2UART Debug Test PointsFor monitoring debugging TX/RX signals from U1Test Point
D1ESD Protection DiodesProtect USB and RF inputs from electrostatic dischargeESD Diode
GNDGroundCommon reference for all circuitsGND

Schematic Net Connections
  1. Power Supply & Regulation
    • +5V Rail:
      • The USB connector (J1) provides +5V. This rail feeds the input of both LDO regulators (U4 and U5).
    • 3.3V Supply:
      • The output of U4 supplies 3.3V to U1 (RTL2832U) and any other 3.3V-requiring circuitry.
      • Attach 0.1µF (C1) and 10µF (C3) decoupling capacitors at the output of U4.
    • 1.8V Supply:
      • The output of U5 provides 1.8V to U1 or other auxiliary circuitry that require 1.8V.
      • Attach 0.1µF (if needed) and 10µF (if required) decoupling capacitors at the output of U5.
    • Ground:
      • All components share a common GND net (J1, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, decoupling capacitors, etc.).
  2. RF Front-End
    • Antenna Path:
      • Connect the SMA connector (ANT) to the RF input.
      • Add ESD protection (D1) at the antenna connector.
      • Route the signal through the RF Bandpass Filter (F1).
      • The filtered signal is then routed to the input of the LNA (U3).
    • LNA (U3):
      • The output of the LNA feeds the RF input of the tuner (U2).
    • Tuner (U2):
      • Ensure that the RF signal path from the LNA to U2 minimizes trace lengths and maintains impedance control.
      • Connect the 28.8MHz crystal (X1) to the oscillator pins of U2 as required by its datasheet.
    • Digital Control:
      • The digital control bus (I2C/SPI) between U2 and U1 is routed with careful attention to minimize coupling from RF paths.
  3. Signal Processing & Interfaces
    • RTL2832U (U1) Processing:
      • U1 receives the processed digital signal output from U2.
      • The USB data lines (from J1) are connected to the appropriate USB interface pins on U1.
    • Debug & Optional Interfaces:
      • Connect selected GPIOs of U1 to the GPIO header (H1) for Raspberry Pi interfacing.
      • Route UART debug TX/RX signals from U1 to test points (TP1 and TP2) for debugging purposes.
  4. Additional Connections
    • ESD Protection:
      • Place additional ESD protection (D1) on the USB data lines as needed.
    • Decoupling & Bypass:
      • All power pins have their dedicated decoupling capacitor pairs (0.1µF and 10µF) connected to the respective supply rails.

Schematic Summary
  • Power Section:
    USB provides +5V (J1) → 3.3V LDO (U4) & 1.8V LDO (U5) → Decoupling on both outputs → Common GND shared.
  • RF Section:
    External antenna (ANT) → ESD diode (D1) → RF Bandpass Filter (F1) → LNA (U3) → Tuner (U2) with connected 28.8MHz Crystal (X1) for clock reference → Digital control lines to U1.
  • Digital & USB Interface:
    USB connector (J1) supplies data lines, connecting to U1. U1 also interfaces with U2 via I2C/SPI. Optional GPIO header (H1) and UART test points (TP1, TP2) provide debugging and Raspberry Pi connectivity.

This design outline provides a comprehensive schematic reference based on your specifications. You can now add these components and wire the connections in your Flux schematic editor.
323 days

Ready.


U4
J1
C2
Capacitance
10u F
U3
FL1
D1
C1
Capacitance
0.1u F
U1


  • Ground
    A common return path for electric current. Commonly known as ground.
  • Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects nets on schematic. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect net portals, give them same designator. #portal
  • Power Net Portal
    Wirelessly connects power nets on schematic. Identical to the net portal, but with a power symbol. Used to organize schematics and separate functional blocks. To wirelessly connect power net portals, give them the same designator. #portal #power
  • Generic Resistor
    A generic fixed resistor for rapid developing circuit topology. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard resistor values: 1.0Ω 10Ω 100Ω 1.0kΩ 10kΩ 100kΩ 1.0MΩ 1.1Ω 11Ω 110Ω 1.1kΩ 11kΩ 110kΩ 1.1MΩ 1.2Ω 12Ω 120Ω 1.2kΩ 12kΩ 120kΩ 1.2MΩ 1.3Ω 13Ω 130Ω 1.3kΩ 13kΩ 130kΩ 1.3MΩ 1.5Ω 15Ω 150Ω 1.5kΩ 15kΩ 150kΩ 1.5MΩ 1.6Ω 16Ω 160Ω 1.6kΩ 16kΩ 160kΩ 1.6MΩ 1.8Ω 18Ω 180Ω 1.8KΩ 18kΩ 180kΩ 1.8MΩ 2.0Ω 20Ω 200Ω 2.0kΩ 20kΩ 200kΩ 2.0MΩ 2.2Ω 22Ω 220Ω 2.2kΩ 22kΩ 220kΩ 2.2MΩ 2.4Ω 24Ω 240Ω 2.4kΩ 24kΩ 240kΩ 2.4MΩ 2.7Ω 27Ω 270Ω 2.7kΩ 27kΩ 270kΩ 2.7MΩ 3.0Ω 30Ω 300Ω 3.0KΩ 30KΩ 300KΩ 3.0MΩ 3.3Ω 33Ω 330Ω 3.3kΩ 33kΩ 330kΩ 3.3MΩ 3.6Ω 36Ω 360Ω 3.6kΩ 36kΩ 360kΩ 3.6MΩ 3.9Ω 39Ω 390Ω 3.9kΩ 39kΩ 390kΩ 3.9MΩ 4.3Ω 43Ω 430Ω 4.3kΩ 43KΩ 430KΩ 4.3MΩ 4.7Ω 47Ω 470Ω 4.7kΩ 47kΩ 470kΩ 4.7MΩ 5.1Ω 51Ω 510Ω 5.1kΩ 51kΩ 510kΩ 5.1MΩ 5.6Ω 56Ω 560Ω 5.6kΩ 56kΩ 560kΩ 5.6MΩ 6.2Ω 62Ω 620Ω 6.2kΩ 62KΩ 620KΩ 6.2MΩ 6.8Ω 68Ω 680Ω 6.8kΩ 68kΩ 680kΩ 6.8MΩ 7.5Ω 75Ω 750Ω 7.5kΩ 75kΩ 750kΩ 7.5MΩ 8.2Ω 82Ω 820Ω 8.2kΩ 82kΩ 820kΩ 8.2MΩ 9.1Ω 91Ω 910Ω 9.1kΩ 91kΩ 910kΩ 9.1MΩ #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
  • Generic Capacitor
    A generic fixed capacitor ideal for rapid circuit topology development. You can choose between polarized and non-polarized types, its symbol and the footprint will automatically adapt based on your selection. Supported options include standard SMD sizes for ceramic capacitors (e.g., 0402, 0603, 0805), SMD sizes for aluminum electrolytic capacitors, and through-hole footprints for polarized capacitors. Save precious design time by seamlessly add more information to this part (value, footprint, etc.) as it becomes available. Standard capacitor values: 1.0pF 10pF 100pF 1000pF 0.01uF 0.1uF 1.0uF 10uF 100uF 1000uF 10,000uF 1.1pF 11pF 110pF 1100pF 1.2pF 12pF 120pF 1200pF 1.3pF 13pF 130pF 1300pF 1.5pF 15pF 150pF 1500pF 0.015uF 0.15uF 1.5uF 15uF 150uF 1500uF 1.6pF 16pF 160pF 1600pF 1.8pF 18pF 180pF 1800pF 2.0pF 20pF 200pF 2000pF 2.2pF 22pF 20pF 2200pF 0.022uF 0.22uF 2.2uF 22uF 220uF 2200uF 2.4pF 24pF 240pF 2400pF 2.7pF 27pF 270pF 2700pF 3.0pF 30pF 300pF 3000pF 3.3pF 33pF 330pF 3300pF 0.033uF 0.33uF 3.3uF 33uF 330uF 3300uF 3.6pF 36pF 360pF 3600pF 3.9pF 39pF 390pF 3900pF 4.3pF 43pF 430pF 4300pF 4.7pF 47pF 470pF 4700pF 0.047uF 0.47uF 4.7uF 47uF 470uF 4700uF 5.1pF 51pF 510pF 5100pF 5.6pF 56pF 560pF 5600pF 6.2pF 62pF 620pF 6200pF 6.8pF 68pF 680pF 6800pF 0.068uF 0.68uF 6.8uF 68uF 680uF 6800uF 7.5pF 75pF 750pF 7500pF 8.2pF 82pF 820pF 8200pF 9.1pF 91pF 910pF 9100pF #generics #CommonPartsLibrary
  • Generic Inductor
    A generic fixed inductor for rapid developing circuit topology. *You can now change the footprint and 3D model at the top level anytime you want. This is the power of #generics
  • Terminal
    Terminal
    An electrical connector acting as reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected.
  • RMCF0805JT47K0
    47 kOhms ±5% 0.125W, 1/8W Chip Resistor 0805 (2012 Metric) Automotive AEC-Q200 Thick Film #forLedBlink
  • 875105359001
    10uF Capacitor Aluminum Polymer 20% 16V SMD 5x5.3mm #forLedBlink #commonpartslibrary #capacitor #aluminumpolymer #radialcan
  • CTL1206FYW1T
    Yellow 595nm LED Indication - Discrete 1.7V 1206 (3216 Metric) #forLedBlink

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Intact Rose Tricorder

Intact Rose Tricorder
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Last updated by eni9ma
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eni9ma

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