Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

K2kxk
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Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Mon May 11, 2020 6:31 pm

I recently squired a 100d to add to my shack. I have an Ameritron ALS-1306 that I need to control via the Anan (band following). The ALS-1306 can accept band data 3 ways: CAT, Voltage (Icom) and BCD. My understanding is the Anan outputs the data in BCD via the open-collector circuit to the DB-25 so that’s what I plan to do. I don't want do use any additional software such as ddutil. Most documentation I’ve seen (including that of the amp) specifies the BCD bits as ABCD. The Anan, as far as I can tell specifies 1234. These seem to be on pins 5, 17, 4, and 16 respectively, of the DB25 connector. Do you know if there is a 1 to 1 correspondence between the 2 nomenclatures? That is does A = 1, B = 2, etc.? I know the OC screen in the software can allow all different configurations but I’d like to keep it as simple as possible. BTW, running Protocol 2 and the latest Thetis. Thanks.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby w-u-2-o » Mon May 11, 2020 7:05 pm

The answer is: there is no specific, pre-defined correspondence in Thetis/P2 (nor is there in PowerSDR/P1).

The OC pins act however you define them in Setup > General > OC Control. Therefore it is 100% up to you which OC output is defined as "A", "B" and so on.

It's also worth noting that the sense of the table in the OC Control table could be considered inverted. If you check a box, then that pin will be pulled to GND (0V) given a matching band condition. If the box is unchecked that pin will be floating and will need to be externally pulled up to whatever the opposite logic level voltage is (does the 1306 have internal pull-ups?).

Because the assignment of pins, understanding of the DB25 pinout, and assignment of the OC Control table can be confusing, with the potential for mistakes at every step, I'd recommend using a meter and a pull up resistor to confirm all wiring and programming prior to connection to the 1306. If you want to get very fancy you could build a little board with LEDs on it. Gadgets like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/EZSync-Terminal-Solderless-Breakout-EZSync907/dp/B0763837XP

can also be handy.
K2kxk
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Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:32 pm

Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Tue May 12, 2020 6:58 pm

Great information! Unfortunately, the ALS-1306 does not provide any pull-ups. However, since I am building the interface as part of an existing switching system I built to switch between my Flex 6500 and the Anan, I can easily incorporate the pull-ups. According to Ameritron, the amp want to see 5v as a logical 1 so I can pull-up from the 5v on the raspberry pi which is controlling the switching. Is it safe to switch directly from the Anan or should I isolate it with some opti-couplers or FETs?

Thanks very much for your help.

Ken.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue May 12, 2020 8:44 pm

I'm not familiar with the 1306 interface. I suspect it is just fine to connect directly to the amp. However, the radio is an expensive, difficult to replace piece of kit. Since you are building an interface anyway it seems to be cheap insurance to use optocouplers as part of the design.

Here is an example of an interface unit I built some time ago for my 100D:

http://wu2o.dyndns.org/wu2o_anan_helper.html
K2kxk
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Tue May 12, 2020 9:58 pm

Thanks Scott. I'll do it.
K2kxk
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Tue May 12, 2020 10:23 pm

Actually Scott, I think I need to know the OC voltage when not grounded to size an appropriate resistor for the LED side of the opti-coupler. Then I can just apply 5v to the 1306 side of the coupler maybe with it's own pull-up resister. I'm no engineer but I think that's how it would work. Does this make sense? Thanks again.
K2kxk
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Tue May 12, 2020 10:53 pm

I guess a better way to ask the question is what voltage should the OC be pulled up to. Is 5v safe or would 3.3 be better. Thanks.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby w-u-2-o » Wed May 13, 2020 12:34 am

The output IC on the Angelia board is a ULN2003AD. Refer to the Angelia schematic in the 100D in the schematics section of this forum and the TI datasheet (Google).

You can use any voltage you care to up to the maximum rating of the chip, which is 50V.

You should not require much pull up current. 1ma should suffice. Choose your pull up resistor value accordingly.
K2kxk
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby K2kxk » Fri May 22, 2020 10:01 pm

Hi Scott. Just wanted to thank you for the very valuable information you provided. Based on this, I was able to interface my ALS-1306 to the 100D with no problems. All working well and I am able to instantly switch from my Flex 6500 to the Anan. Thanks again. Ken.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Anan 100D to ALS-1306 via BCD

Postby w-u-2-o » Sat May 23, 2020 12:21 am

:)

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