FreeDSP AURORA User manual

USER MANUAL
FREEDSP-AURORA
auverdion
1

REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Description
Date
v1.0.0
Initial Version
01 Jul 2019
v1.0.1
Regulatory Information and WiFi setup rewritten
31 Jul 2019
v1.0.2
Updating ESP32 firmware via USB
30 Aug 2019
v1.0.3
Fixed wrong picture for X102, added pinout for USBi, added
WiFi antenna connection
13 Sep 2019
v1.1.1
webOTA added, AddOn configuration
10 Nov 2019
v2.0.0
Added 4FIRs plugin, connector volume pot, WebApp, Quick
start
9 Mar 2020
v2.0.1
Added hint polarity inversion
15 Mar 2020
v2.0.2
Added fallback
29 Mar 2020
v2.0.3
Added hint for Send button
03 Apr 2020
v2.1.0
Reorganized connectivity chapter
Specification recommended operating conditions
09 Jun 2020
v2.1.1
Added Access Point Config
Added Turning Off WiFi
Added SPDIF Output Routing
18 Jul 2020
v2.1.3
Removed obsolete paragraph on page 6
Fixed typo on page 26
2 Oct 2020
auverdion
2

Revision History!2"
About freeDSP-aurora!5"
Important Information!7"
Features!8"
Quick Start!9"
System Information!10"
Block Diagram!10"
Connectors!11"
Recommended Operating Conditions!12"
Optional Input and Output AddOns!13"
How To Get freeDSP-aurora Up And Running!14"
Hardware Installation!14"
Software Installation!14"
Examples for optional peripherals!22"
Volume Potentiometer!23"
Rotary Encoder!24"
IR Receiver!25"
Display!26"
Working with the Web Application!27"
Overview!28"
Config Device!30"
WiFi Configuration!32"
Uploading a DSP Plugin!33"
Storing Parameter Settings!34"
Exporting Parameter Settings!34"
Importing Parameter Settings!35"
Master Volume!35"
S/P-DIF output!35"
Fallback!35"
Turn OffWifi!35"
DSP Plugins!36"
8channels!36"
auverdion
3

HomeCinema71!38"
4FIRs!40"
Updating the Firmware via USB!42"
Preparing for Update!42"
Uploading the Firmware!43"
Updating the Firmware via webOTA!49"
Uploading the Firmware!49"
Disclaimer!51"
Warranty!51"
Regulatory Information!52"
Licenses!53"
Useful Web Links!55
auverdion
4

ABOUT FREEDSP-AURORA
The freeDSP-aurora is a cost-effective real-time audio signal processing solution for
researchers and the do-it-yourself community and audio enthusiasts. It is a bare circuit board
that can be incorporated into your own projects. It comes with no housing. Easy assembling
and simple programmability are the main focus. It is based on Analog Devices’ ADAU1452
DSP controlled by a web application.
Additionally the development environment SigmaStudio can be used. The programming
model of SigmaStudio is function-block based – comparable to other graphical programming
languages like PureData or Max/MSP. Many prebuilt blocks (e.g., filters, compressors, effects,
or logic) can be placed in the signal path via drag and drop. If the included libraries do not
have the functions needed, low-level blocks, such as multipliers and delays, can be wired
together to create custom DSP plugins. For more information please refer to the Analog
Devices website (https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/evaluation-hardware-and-
software/software/ss_sigst_02.html#software-overview).
FreeDSP-aurora offers a wide range of DSP processing options and interface controls with
easy programmability. It can be used in various audio applications, e.g.:
Room compensation / system equalization
Digital crossovers in active loudspeaker concepts
Multiband dynamics processing
Delay compensation / phase shift
Bass enhancement
Subwoofer integration
Advanced instrument audio effect units
Stereo image widening
…
A XMOS XE216-512-TQ128 MCU is used to expose an USB Audio Class 2 compliant
interface to a host computer running macOS, Linux or Windows 10. The boards provides 8
balanced audio input and 8 balanced audio output channels. Additionally an ADAT input/
output and a Wordclock input/output is provided by the XMOS MCU.
auverdion
5

The ESP32 MCU controls the operation of the DSP. Furthermore, it provides WiFi and
Bluetooth connectivity and handles peripherals like rotary encoder, display, temperature
sensor, PWM controlled fan and IR sensor.
The complete schematics and all software for the freeDSP-aurora board are published under
a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license, which
allows the unrestricted use and modification of the module. This means that experienced
users can make their own version of the board, extending it and improving it, as long as they
credit freeDSP and auverdion and release their designs under the same license.
The freeDSP brand and freeDSP logo are copyright of Sebastian Merchel and Ludwig
Kormann and cannot be used without formal permission.
The auverdion brand is copyright of Raphael Knoop and cannot be used without formal
permission.
This user manual is published under the same CC license.
auverdion
6

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The freeDSP-aurora board might generate signals that may damage your audio equipment.
Please read and understand this manual before starting to work with your board. Adjust all
hardware settings and configure your software before connecting any audio equipment to
freeDSP-aurora. Always start with low volume on your amplifier and slowly increase the level
to reduce the risk of damaging your audio system.
freeDSP-aurora is provided to you ‘as is’. Auverdion makes no express or implied warranties
whatsoever with respect to its functionality, operability, or use, including, without limitation,
any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or infringement. We
expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or
special damages, including, without limitation, lost revenues, lost profits, losses resulting from
business interruption or loss of data regardless of the form of action or legal theory under
which the liability may be asserted, even if advised of the possibility or likelihood of such
damages. Features and specifications might change without prior notice.
Please keep in mind that freeDSP-aurora is an open-source project. Because freeDSP-aurora
is very flexible, many applications are possible. Questions and new ideas can be discussed
online with other DIYers. Please use the Digital Line Level subforum @ diyAudio.com or the
Elektronik subforum @ www.diy-hifi-forum.eu to connect with other people working with
1
freeDSP-aurora. Please create individual threads for your topics only if you cannot find your
issue in the existing threads. Some questions can be answered by carefully reading this
manual.
This manual refers to firmware version 2.1.3.
Please see chapter Useful Web Links
1
auverdion
7

FEATURES
• Analog Devices ADAU1452, 294.912 MHz, 32-bit SigmaDSP
6144 SIMD instructions per sample @ 48 kHz fs
40kWords of data RAM
800 ms digital audio delay pool @ 48 kHz fs
8 stereo ASRCs with 139 dB DNR
• XMOS XE216-512-TQ128 for multichannel bidirectional audio streaming
• ESP32 for WiFi or Bluetooth control
• AKM AK4458 32bit-DAC
• AKM AK5558 32bit-ADC
• Supporting sample rates between 44.1 kHz and 192 kHz
• 8 analog balanced input channels, +6 dBu
• 8 analog balanced output channels, +6 dBu
• S/P-DIF input and output
• ADAT input and output
• Wordclock input and output
• Support for display, rotary encoder, volume potentiometer, temperature sensor,
PWM controlled fan, IR sensor
• One freeDSP expansion header
• USB Audio Class 2 Bidirectional streaming with 8 channels in and 8 channels out,
full-duplex. Works with ASIO driver under Windows 10 and driverless under macOS
and Linux.
• Realtime control via a web application supporting Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
• Connection to board by WiFi
• Board dimensions: 110 mm x 110 mm
auverdion
8

QUICK START
For a quick start with your brand new freeDSP-aurora you just have to do the following steps:
1. Get some chocolate.
2. Connect your add on (if you have one) to your freeDSP-aurora.
3. Connect your audio equipment to freeDSP-aurora (or the addon).
4. Connect X105 to your power supply.
5. Connect the WiFi antenna.
6. Eat some chocolate.
7. Power up your freeDSP-aurora.
8. Connect your computer to the access point AP-freeDSP-aurora.
9. Open Safari or Firefox or Chrome and enter 192.168.5.1 in the URL field.
10.Get a cup of coffee and eat the rest of the chocolate.
11.Your are ready for DSP’ing.
auverdion
9

SYSTEM INFORMATION
BLOCK DIAGRAM
auverdion
10