Monthly Archives: August 2013

Retuning the IF output of the DMC 24GHz downcoverter module

The IF output ot the DMC downconverter is around the 1.5GHz, and need a IF output of 432Mhz. Googling a bit I found the mods of OK1VVM that show hoe modify the module. The mod basically consist in replace two capacitators and remove a resistor as described here.

DMC downconverter before the mod

DMC downconverter before the mod

DMC downconverter before the mod

DMC downconverter before the mod

DMC downconverter after the mod

DMC downconverter after the mod

DMC downconverter after the mod

DMC downconverter after the mod

 

Retuning the DMC DRO locked oscillator to use as LO in 24GHz

Now I’ m looking retune the DRO locked oscillator modules to 23616MHz to get a IF of 432Mhz at 24048MHz. To get 23616MHz I can use 98.4MHz (x240) and 105.42857MHz (x224). As I have a xtal of 105.43857Mhz I wish use the same in the two units, but have in one unit dosen’t works.
The unit that originally have a xtal of 99.04MHz dont accepts xtals more high than 100Mhz, and the units that originally have a xtal of 105.99MHz dont accepto xtals of less of 100Mhz. Comparing the units, looks that the issue is in the wire inductors located near of the xtal.

DMC DRO locked oscillators opened

DMC DRO locked oscillators opened

DMC DRO locked oscillators

DMC DRO locked oscillators

 

To check the reference inside of the unit exists a SMA located in the upper right that gives the ref freq x4. After modify the coils now and retuning the filter located in the bottom right , the unit that only accepts xtals up to 100MHz locked now can be used with the 105.43857MHz xtal.

DMC DRO locked oscillator test

DMC DRO locked oscillator test

DMC DRO locked oscillator xtal

DMC DRO locked oscillator xtal

 

New 24GHz toys

Recentlly I purchased some DMC microwave modules tu build a 24GHz transverter. This modules are designed to work at 22 / 23GHz but can work well at 24GHz with a minumum work and be purchased in ebay.

24GHz DMC modules

24GHz DMC modules

The set is composed by a DRO locked oscillator, upconverter, downconverter and LNA. The DRO locked oscillator, uses from 90 to 110 MHz as reference. The upconverter uses a 310MHz IF input and outputs over 15dBm ( 30 mW). The downconverter have a IF output of 1.4GHz, and have a second donwconverter to convert from 1.4GHz to 70Mhz. Finall the LNA have over 15dB of gain and a NF over 2.5dB / 3dB

24GHz DMC RX test

24GHz DMC RX test

All the modules use 8.4V dc except the LO that uses 8.4V and -5V. Googling a bit, I found some info about the modules:

http://www.xertech.net/Tech/DMC/DMC_main.html

http://www.qsl.net/w6by/parts/dmc.html

http://af4jf.blogspot.com.es/2012/06/even-more-24ghz-toys.html

http://af4jf.blogspot.com.es/2012/07/power-supply-for-dmc-modules-24ghz.html