LibreSDR versions (ZynqSDR vs LibreSDR)

[sq6emm]

As I just own two of them I tought it might be usefull to share the pictures;)

On the left side - ZynqSDR (hamgeek)
ont the right side - LibreSDR (opensourcesdrlab)

what you can for sure see is:

They both have different radiator pattern - I dont care
LibreSDR is a wider by few mm - I dont think it matters
LibreSDR has visible vias on the PCB, while ZynqSDR does not have - I guess it matters
LibreSDR has RJ45 with wings so they touch the radiator - better shielding?
LibreSDR comes with SD-card, while ZynqSDR not - can help.
LibreSDR by default comes with Linaro 14.04 (Ubuntu based distro) - its very old version today
LibreSDR for 10MHz input require -10dBm signal, while ZynqSDR 7 dBm

[F5OEO]

Very interesting comparaison. I have here a Zynqsdr from hamgeek.

[sq6emm]

Mine is from hamgeek too

[DG9BFC]

who copied from who?!? :-)
dg9bfc

[MartinSKNDE]

I have the left one, its a bit confusing and lack of information on it, some say it is missing vias and has really poor TX/RX. From a closer look it does not look like it is missing vias, but they are rather plated over.
I am having trouble enabling second Rx/Tx channel as well as it only works well below 5Msps, i dont know if anyone else has their Hamgeek "ZynqSDR" up and running well.

[BeckGyver]

To be precise, there are at least three versions of this thing.
The first LibreSDR I got my hands on was on without case markings and the PPS and 10MHz inputs mixed up.
Second version is the LibreSDR with markings on top and chinese symbols on the bottom reading "Made in China"
The "current" Version on the left is available from different sellers and I could not find out how it was created.

Nevertheless, I got my hands on some Schematics and the original HDL files (~10gb as a git repo) of the first LibreSDR. I have two versions of Schematics V3 and V5. V3 was never seen in the wild and the first one I got in November 2022.

My understanding is like this:
The first batch was produced without case markings and small number in 10/11 2022 and was called ZynqSDR in the project but LibreSDR on AliExpress. Second Batch was the one shown here as LibreSDR with case markings but same PCB-quality. Mid 2024 I got my first "new" ZynqSDR with the new PCB-quality and modifications.

zynqsdr_rev3.pdf
zynqsdr_rev5.pdf

The Vias in the "new" versions seem to be filled but at the same spot.
The only change I noticed are some modification (by hand) close to the DC/DC converters. There are some Ferrite-Beads in place which got a 0 Ohm resistor soldered on top of them. If you look closely you can see this on the last image right beneath the Inductor on the top left mounting hole (it says FB17 - FerriteBead 17). I have multiple of these boards running by now and all of the new ones have the 0-Ohm modification.

Another file is not that interesting but has an author in its metadata: 吕 晨阳 - Lu Chenyang
The HDL files also point to him as the git clone was done by : Lv ChenYang i@jiskra.net
I did not dig deeper.

Let me know if someone is interested in the original HDL files or the orignal SD-Card image.

Cheers

[BeckGyver]

Here you go:
https://nx35980.your-storageshare.de/s/HCixMirafmWi9bg

Password to make life harder for scrapers:

tezuka4theWIN

It will be available for one month from now.

I haven't seen any hand soldered balun so far, can you share some Images of it ?

[MartinSKNDE]

Bottom balun is visibly different and some flux residue around it.

Cannot get that share working :(

[BeckGyver]

@MartinSKNDE
I have changed the PW, please check again.
First time for me seeing a HamGeek branded ZYNQSDR/LIBRESDR, awsome.
The ferrite beads seem to be real ones in this version. Can you check if the part is a single piece or if it is a stack of two ( 0 Ohm piggybacked on another componen).

[BeckGyver]

Here you can see a stack of two 0 Ohm Resistors from the side. I will remove them from one SDR and replace for some beads.

[koliberEng]

Here you go: https://nx35980.your-storageshare.de/s/HCixMirafmWi9bg

Password to make life harder for scrapers:

tezuka4theWIN

It will be available for one month from now.

I haven't seen any hand soldered balun so far, can you share some Images of it ?

That link is not working for me. I'm looking for a basic PL design that will work on the libreSDR with a .xdc file and .tcl files.