Project Startup Help

They’re still running. I’ll check final status once more and then give you the project links and current state so you’re not blocked waiting.
Created two separate PCB projects and started the split/place work in each:
Current status:
  • TX clone: RX circuitry removed, board-mounted XLR replaced with compact XLR harness pads, 25 × 80 mm / 4-layer target set, placement still running.
  • RX clone: TX circuitry removed, board-mounted XLR replaced with compact XLR harness pads, 25 mm width / 4-layer target set, placement still running.
  • Master project remains unchanged as the system/reference design.
Open item:
  • Both split-placement tasks are still running; they exceeded the wait window but are actively working on non-RF placement and verification.
Next step:
  • Open each project link later to review the completed thread result, or ask me to check their status again.
Check split projects
Check TX status
Check RX status
Fix failed split tasks
Compare split BOMs

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Project Specification — Munkrofon
Project Overview
Status: Draft / RF module gated
Munkrofon is a proof-of-concept compact professional wireless microphone transmitter/receiver PCB set for live audio. The system is explicitly not a Bluetooth consumer-audio product. The preferred radio architecture is DECT or a demonstrably equivalent low-latency professional digital-audio RF link.
Intended Use
  • Live sound reinforcement and stage use.
  • Initial prototype uses an external passive dynamic microphone connected by XLR.
  • Future revision may integrate a custom microphone capsule.
  • Prototype priority order: reliability, manufacturability, RF performance, professional audio quality, then cost.
What the Device Should Do
  • Capture a balanced passive dynamic microphone signal at the transmitter.
  • Transmit high-quality low-latency digital audio wirelessly.
  • Receive audio and output a true balanced professional XLR signal.
  • Operate from a single-cell Li-ion battery.
  • Recharge through USB-C.
  • Provide robust RF behavior with manufacturer-required antenna keepout.
Main Features
  • Transmitter PCB and receiver PCB in one project.
  • DECT-class wireless audio module, selected provisionally.
  • Low-noise balanced microphone preamp.
  • True balanced receiver output line driver.
  • USB-C Li-ion charging and power-path management.
  • Battery fuel measurement where practical.
  • Battery protection and ESD protection.
System Architecture

Diagram


XLR dynamic microphone Low-noise balanced mic preamp Codec / RF module audio input DECT audio module - transmitter role RXRF Codec / module audio output True balanced line driver XLR balanced output USB-C TX Li-ion charger / power path Li-ion cell TX Low-noise regulated rails USB-C RX Li-ion charger / power path Li-ion cell RX Low-noise regulated rails
Hardware Subsystems
RF / Wireless Audio
  • Preferred: DECT module with professional audio support.
  • Provisional lead: Renesas DA14AVDDECT, pending exact latency, pinout, footprint, antenna keepout, and availability confirmation.
  • Rejected: Bluetooth audio modules; they do not meet the handoff requirement.
Transmitter Audio Input
  • XLR female input.
  • Pin 1 = shield/ground strategy, Pin 2 = hot, Pin 3 = cold.
  • Low-noise balanced microphone preamp recommended: THAT1580-family or equivalent.
  • Add RF/ESD input protection and phantom-power abuse protection in detailed revision.
Receiver Audio Output
  • XLR male output.
  • True balanced active driver recommended: THAT1646 or DRV134 family.
  • Professional +4 dBu headroom may require boosted/split analog rails; this remains an explicit design decision.
Power
  • Single-cell Li-ion battery per unit.
  • USB-C sink with independent CC1/CC2 pull-down resistors.
  • Charger/power-path IC per unit unless the selected DECT module’s integrated battery management is used instead.
  • Fuel gauge per unit if a host/controller is available to read it.
Interfaces and Connections
  • USB-C power input per board.
  • Battery connector per board.
  • XLR female input on transmitter.
  • XLR male output on receiver.
  • RF module audio/control interface: TBD until selected module pinout is imported.
Power and Runtime Expectations
  • Candidate battery: 800–1200 mAh single-cell Li-ion/LiPo depending on enclosure.
  • Candidate charge current: 500 mA default for USB compatibility and thermal margin on a narrow PCB.
  • Runtime target: several hours; exact value depends on RF module operating current and line-output rail strategy.
Power Tree and Power Budget
See the separate Power Budget file for current estimates and charger/regulator sizing assumptions.
Manufacturing and Assembly Expectations
  • Compact SMD design.
  • 4-layer PCB recommended for RF/audio grounding and return-current control, though 2-layer may be evaluated only after RF module layout guidance is known.
  • Prefer DigiKey, Mouser, and LCSC-stocked parts.
  • Avoid NRND/obsolete RF modules for the main design.
Firmware-Relevant Hardware Requirements
  • RF module control, pairing, audio routing, and fuel-gauge reading depend on the selected module and host/control interface.
  • Firmware documentation is deferred until the RF/control architecture is locked.
Physical Design Expectations
  • Maximum PCB width: 25 mm.
  • Preferred length: about 60 mm, flexible if required.
  • RF module should sit at the end of each PCB.
  • Antenna keepout must be free of copper, vias, ground pour, components, and enclosure metal on all layers.
Important Design Decisions
  • Use DECT-class professional RF, not Bluetooth.
  • Use a module, not a bare RF chip, to reduce RF certification/layout risk.
  • Treat DA14AVDDECT as provisional lead; do not freeze PCB layout until exact module data is available.
  • Use active balanced output rather than pseudo-balanced output.
  • Use separate analog/RF layout regions and strong grounding discipline.
Assumptions
  • The first prototype may use an evaluation-module-derived RF interface if the exact production module part is unavailable in Flux.
  • Audio output level is assumed to target professional line input compatibility, but maximum output level/headroom still needs confirmation.
  • The battery pack may include built-in cell protection; if not, board-level protection must be added.
Change Notes
  • Initial specification created from the ChatGPT handoff.
  • RF module selection identified as the gating item for production schematic and PCB layout.
  • Project Overview

  • Intended Use

  • What the Device Should Do

  • Main Features

  • System Architecture

  • Hardware Subsystems

  • RF / Wireless Audio

  • Transmitter Audio Input

  • Receiver Audio Output

  • Power

  • Interfaces and Connections

  • Power and Runtime Expectations

  • Power Tree and Power Budget

  • Manufacturing and Assembly Expectations

  • Firmware-Relevant Hardware Requirements

  • Physical Design Expectations

  • Important Design Decisions

  • Assumptions

  • Change Notes