Single-Board Universal Module

@PB
You could probe the RF signal flow with a spectrum analyzer by just touching the tip to a solder joint. The power level will not be accurate, but you can easily spot gain on an amp by comparing input to output. The readings will probably be 6 dB low. As a "probe" a RG405 semi-rigid type cable/pigtail works fine, the center lead is steel, so it holds up well. Make sure your analyzer can handle DC, or else use a DC block.

Well, that's encouraging. It'll be fairly easy to change with your hot air gun.


What were the logic levels you measured on the control pins? The switch has a 2.5-3V logic high level, and TTL port output voltage for the MCU is listed as min 2.4v. I'm not at all familiar with the ST MCUs, so please forgive me if I'm way off base; just thinking out loud hoping it may prompt something.

Ah, good. Probably just a bad part then.

just to be sure, the logic of the switch should turn on the same port as the corresponding RF-source

Do you have a flux pen / liquid flux? If you do, you can apply a decent amount of it, and drag your tip along the edges of the pins. As long as you don't have too much solder on there, you'll get reasonably good joints doing so. Another possibility is excess solder on the thermal pad, bridging to one of the leads under the IC. These ones are a nightmare to find. Would it be of any benefit if I shipped you one of mine after my new PAs arrive? My RF explorer shipped today, but it probably won't be here for a couple of weeks.

QFN parts are fine, if you have the right equipment
Too much solder under the part, and/or no escape path (i.e. enough vias) a center blob can prevent the part from seating on all sides.
If you a apply a little pressure on the part while the solder is liquid, and keep on it until the solder sets you nay overcome those problems.
Too little solder and no contact is obviously another problem.

I don't have a hot-plate so I use a small hot-air "gun", for shrink-tube, plus a Hakko soldering iron, for re-work.

i am a newbee in deviation, and i didn't read the complete thread.
But if i could buy this "universal module", where to buy?

Kind Regards
Jens from Germany
(sorry for bad english)

This one is still in the development stage, so unfortunately you can't buy it yet.

My PAs are here, as is my RF explorer. I'm hoping to have some time to install the PAs this weekend. PB, is there some test code available for the module that you'd be willing to share?

hello Guys

Chip RF switch, did it work ?

Still undetermined. I haven't been able to test mine out yet, I don't the test code PB is using. Haven't seen anything from PB in quite a while. Hope everything is okay with him.

It would appear that the board assembly is quite a challenge.
SeeedStudio offers, besides making low volume PCB at good prices, also prototype service. I have not tried their service as yet, I may, perhaps they are OK.
This may free up some time for PB to work on coding.

Hi Guys, any update information for this thread ?

i hope it will work . and hope Sadsack will come back

Not currently. PB seems to be taking a bit of a break. I've got a couple boards ready for firmware when he comes back.

Hey guys, I'm new here, I'm an EE by trade and part of my daily work load is hot air reflow soldering of SMD components, specifically QFN packages and BGA's (I know a lot of the radio chips are QFN and I see mention of how hard these things are to build), I'd like to offer some help if it's needed.

I run a small business, not looking to sell ya'll anything but if / when you need a small batch of proto's assembled I'd be more than happy to do it for you. I can probably do around 10-15 of them a day and I'd be willing to spend a few days doing nothing but that (and of course I'd be happy to do smaller amounts, even just one or two at a time). Note because of the regulations and such I'm really not interested in selling these things, but I would be happy to solder up a batch for free if we could work something out.


Really looking forward to this, I hope I can contribute some labor sometime soon. Note I also specialize in PCB design and would be interested in making a drop-in 7E board as well...