RTL-SDR Extension Board with USB HUB and RTC

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I posted a few weeks ago about the RTL-SDR extension board project, but that board didn’t go well. The RTL-SDR part didn’t work at all. The schematic of the RTL-SDR was based on my reverse engineering work on the RTL-SDR Blog V4 dongle. I still need to figure out the problem, but I did make a working RTL-SDR dongle based on the regular schematic with the R820T2 tuner. So, I use it for the RTL-SDR extension board, and this time, although the PCB still has some mistakes, after some fly wires, it works well.

We could use more space on the PCB since the regular RTL-SDR schematic has fewer components, so I added an RTC circuit so you guys wouldn’t complain that the ClockworkPi didn’t have a clock. And another USB-C connector was added to the edge.

Since the forum does not allow videos, if you want to watch a video demonstration, please check out my twitter or my post on reddit.

I know some of you guys can’t wait to post the “shut up and take my money” meme. However, production is another thing that is more difficult than making a working prototype. We have to gather enough orders to make it at a reasonable price. If you are tending to get one, please join our waiting list.

If you want to become a beta tester or reviewer, limited spots are available for free samples before the project launches, and all you need to do is join our waiting list.

And What Next:

Determined parts:

  1. Fix the minor PCB mistakes, like the USB signal filter’s symbol and footprint pinout order not matching and the LDO voltage input pin not connecting to the 5v power rail.
  2. Add a direct sampling circuit to handle short-wave radio.
  3. Metal IO panel.

Maybe parts:

  1. Rechargeable RTC battery circuit
  2. GPS
  3. Lora
  4. GPIO
  5. RJ45 Ethernet

If you have any other thoughts about the project, please comment below.

19 Likes
2

I was thinking of making the same project :stuck_out_tongue: hehe, if you want I can help you with pcb design (footprint adaptations and other things), and testing(my software skills are not the best)

3

I really love this idea and I think it fits perfectly with the purpose of my uconsole.
Adding support for LoRa would be a big plus!

4

Great to see this! a suggestion might want to include an option for V3 also as I read some differences in V4 can affect a more limited use

5

It would be perfect if there was a TF card expansion slot.

6

Thank you so much for your generous offer to help! The hardware is almost complete; we just need to add connectors for the GPS and LoRa modules. You can join our waiting list and choose to become a beta tester. Before the project is released, we’ll see if we have enough samples for you to test.

2 Likes
7

GPS and LoRa are the most wanted functions from the waiting list, so they are now under the determined list.

1 Like
8

I am using v5 and need to do more research on v3 and v4.

9

The goal of this project is mainly to complete the missing functions of uconsole, such as RTL-SDR, RTC, GPS, LoRa. I do know that some USB HUB chips come with card reader functions, but it is too far for this project. In addition, if you want to use additional storage, you can plug a USB card reader into the internal USB-C port as shown below.

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3 Likes
10

I think what you have shown so far would be awesome and adds a lot of capability to the uConsole. I had planned to add an internal SDR and USB hub board to mine but will wait to see when this will be available. It would save me a lot of time and effort to have it plug and play like this. I will definitely buy one when they are available.

1 Like
11

Have not read yet anything about v5 so idk… I base my prev comment on what I read here:

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/

specifically this…
NOTE: This is the newer V4 design, and it requires updating to the latest drivers to work. Before purchasing, please ensure that you understand that not all applications work with the V4 yet! Compatibility with most popular software is now okay, but some niche programs are still lagging with support.

12

Oh, that’s misleading, I thought you were talking about the uconsole carrier board, I just figured out that you were mentioned the version of the RTL-SDR Blog dongle. The extension board is based on the regular rtl-sdr schematic, but I am planning adding direct sampling and bias-t for active antennas. Which will close to the V3.

13

Oh ok, was referring to the version I thought you were using as a basis for reverse engineering, well at least we cleared that up.

14

Thank you! I already have joined the list!

15

I’ve signed up for the waiting list too! Excited to see where this goes!

16

I just received the new version of the PCB with direct sampling, GPS, and LoRa, but JLCPCB made a mistake; when they beveled the contact pins’ edge, they shortened the contact pins, so they are not good contacts. We will have to wait a week more to receive the right PCB.

5 Likes
17

There are Nooelec NESDR Nano 3 boards that might be perfect to reverse engineer and incorporate into the design. I also believe that such expansion boards must build upon the barebones expansion boards that has speakers pogo pins and a SD card slot. It seems you have a lot of free space.

18

Any news on when this will be available to buy? I would love to get one ASAP. I mainly interested SDR and RTC but GPS would be nice too

19

I’ve run a small batch for beta test, supposed to receive them from the SMT factory next week. The beta test version have both RTL-SDR, RTC, USB HUB, LoRa and GPS.

4 Likes
20

Awesome, in case you’re interested, I’d be willing to pay an excessive amount of money to get one earlier :pleading_face::joy: