4.4 GHz RF Synthesizer Signal Generator (USB)

Description

The Windfreak SynthUSBII is a 34.4MHz to 4.4GHz software tunable RF signal generator controlled and powered by a PC running Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or 8 via its USB port.
The SynthUSBII also has nonvolatile on board memory so it can be programmed to fire up by itself on any frequency, power, sweep or modulation setting. This makes for a highly mobile, low power and light weight solution for your RF signal generation needs.
Use this device as a generic RF signal generator in your test setup, or use it as a high quality local oscillator in your RF / microwave communication system.
Maximum RF power available is +3dBm.  Power is controlled by two bits in the PLL chip.  There is a total of 10dB of output power adjustment in 4 total steps. Please check out the Windfreak Technologies SynthNV for more power and 1/2dB steps.
The software is easy to install and use. It can control multiple devices based on programmed serial numbers, tune a RF CW frequency, run a RF sweep, Pulse Modulate, save many settings to EEPROM, and fine tune the PLL registers for experienced users. Control is very similar to a bench top signal generator. It is also touch panel friendly.
This software was written in Labview and the open source code is included so that you can modify and enhance any way you see fit for your own use. Please do not distribute. If you don't own Labview, you will also get an executable that will install standalone and run on a PC. If you want to write your own software, it is best to get Labview and reverse engineer the Windfreak Labview source code. Labview is available with a free 1 month trial from National Instruments. All source code is sent on CD "saved as" using the latest version of Labview Basic. The device is easy to talk to via 1 simple command character followed program data. For example, setting frequency is done by sending "f1000.0" (without the quotes).  Contact Windfreak Technologies for the latest serial communications protocol documentation.
RF generator accuracy is based on an onboard 2.5ppm 10MHz crystal oscillator. All parts on the PCB are specified to operate from -40 to +85C.
The synthesizer will run off USB power. It will also run standalone without a PC connected if you have a USB power supply similar to an iphone charger. The required voltage is 5 volts DC at <200mA.  You can also run multiple SynthUSBII devices from a powered USB hub.  You can run them all with one GUI, or run one GUI for each device for quick individual adjustments.
The Atmel microcontroller on board is an ATmega32U2 and comes programmed with Windfreak Technologies proprietary firmware to allow basic control of the whole device. In conjunction with that, it also has the Atmel boot loader so that custom firmware can be loaded through USB by the end user.  This setup can be arduino compatible.
USB communication is done via a virtual comm port directly to the microcontroller. Drivers are included with the software. The SynthUSBII can plug straight in to your PC. A USB type A extension cable is recommended but not included.
Included with all of this are softcopies of the PC board schematics and a PCB reference designator map on the CD..
Note: Please look under the pink foam in the shipping box for the CD and instructions.
On board the PCB are 2 troubleshooting LEDs: LED1 shows USB power upon startup, and LED2 shows phase lock on the programmed frequency. LED1 also blinks during USB communication. Both LEDs blink when a USB command is not understood. This helps with custom software development.
Compare this unit to other solutions worth thousands of dollars. We've invested hundreds of man hours on software that you get to build upon for highly custom applications.
Some applications include: wireless communications systems, microwave point to point backhaul radios, Software Defined Radio (SDR), radar, Automated Test Equipment (ATE), sweeping and hopping, electronic warfare (EW), Phase Lock Loop (PLL) Synthesizer Design, Local Oscillator (LO) replacement, and hobbyist radio development.
All ebay units sold are latest version hardware, firmware, and software.