Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 17 hours ago
This was Open Research Institute's Projects Meetup on March 10th 2026, where team members reported on various ongoing projects and developments. This was a great meeting! Aaron provided updates on OpenCPI, including completing DVB-S2 transmission on ZC706 hardware and creating continuous integration pipelines for generating SD card artifacts. This will enable us to scale up and increase the rate of testing and integration.
Paul and Matthew shared progress on Opulent Voice, with Paul planning to develop automated testing capabilities including a "chat-o-matic" component for generating test messages (having an automated natural looking source makes testing things much easier), while Matthew implemented a mean variance lock detector. He also improved the Costas IQ metric to prevent false unlocks. Got to catch them all!
Michelle presented updates on the AMSAT UK MDT project, including successful synthesis of a polyphase channelizer for the ICE40 FPGA targeting the FunCube+ satellite, with hardware testing planned using STM and ICE40 dev boards.
Oscar discussed machine learning data analysis for spacecraft applications and emphasized the importance of robust watchdog systems for space missions. Rick shared progress on their atomic clock system, showing a fully operational time and frequency station with rubidium equipment and a new infinite-adjustment feed mount for their 60-foot dish.
Ok so what about next steps?
- Paul: Order and evaluate a computer-controlled step attenuator (in 1 dB steps) for automated modem testing, and seek input from DEF CON Meetup and local microwave experts about suitable models or surplus gear.
- Matthew: Complete bit width optimizations and RDL updates for the new lock detector implementation, then check in the code for testing.
- Paul and Matthew: Test the new lock detector implementation, including stability and threshold testing, and monitor for instability or false unlocks, especially near signal threshold.
- Michelle: Contact AMSAT UK directly to obtain answers to open technical questions regarding the MDT interface, ADC requirements, expected signal formats, and reporting/telemetry requirements.
- Michelle: Assemble and test the MDT hardware using the newly ordered Nucleo and ICE40 boards, and document setup and wiring for others to replicate.
- Michelle: Prepare and deliver a live demo of the MDT channelizer scanning the 70cm band for B-Sides San Diego in April, and for Friedrichshafen in June.
- F5OEO: Continue refactoring the Maya HDL for modularity and component reuse, and coordinate with Aaron as needed for common approaches with OpenCPI.
- Rick: Plan and coordinate continuous 2.4 GHz transmissions for the Earth-Venus-Earth experiment, including hardware upgrades and power amplification, and collaborate with international stations for receive capability.
- Rick: Consider and report next week on any unexpected scientific or operational capabilities enabled by the high-accuracy time and frequency system at DSES.
This was Open Research Institute's Projects Meetup on March 10th 2026, where team members reported on various ongoing projects and developments. This was a great meeting! Aaron provided updates on OpenCPI, including completing DVB-S2 transmission on ZC706 hardware and creating continuous integration pipelines for generating SD card artifacts. This will enable us to scale up and increase the rate of testing and integration.
Paul and Matthew shared progress on Opulent Voice, with Paul planning to develop automated testing capabilities including a "chat-o-matic" component for generating test messages (having an automated natural looking source makes testing things much easier), while Matthew implemented a mean variance lock detector. He also improved the Costas IQ metric to prevent false unlocks. Got to catch them all!
Michelle presented updates on the AMSAT UK MDT project, including successful synthesis of a polyphase channelizer for the ICE40 FPGA targeting the FunCube+ satellite, with hardware testing planned using STM and ICE40 dev boards.
Oscar discussed machine learning data analysis for spacecraft applications and emphasized the importance of robust watchdog systems for space missions. Rick shared progress on their atomic clock system, showing a fully operational time and frequency station with rubidium equipment and a new infinite-adjustment feed mount for their 60-foot dish.
Ok so what about next steps?
- Paul: Order and evaluate a computer-controlled step attenuator (in 1 dB steps) for automated modem testing, and seek input from DEF CON Meetup and local microwave experts about suitable models or surplus gear.
- Matthew: Complete bit width optimizations and RDL updates for the new lock detector implementation, then check in the code for testing.
- Paul and Matthew: Test the new lock detector implementation, including stability and threshold testing, and monitor for instability or false unlocks, especially near signal threshold.
- Michelle: Contact AMSAT UK directly to obtain answers to open technical questions regarding the MDT interface, ADC requirements, expected signal formats, and reporting/telemetry requirements.
- Michelle: Assemble and test the MDT hardware using the newly ordered Nucleo and ICE40 boards, and document setup and wiring for others to replicate.
- Michelle: Prepare and deliver a live demo of the MDT channelizer scanning the 70cm band for B-Sides San Diego in April, and for Friedrichshafen in June.
- F5OEO: Continue refactoring the Maya HDL for modularity and component reuse, and coordinate with Aaron as needed for common approaches with OpenCPI.
- Rick: Plan and coordinate continuous 2.4 GHz transmissions for the Earth-Venus-Earth experiment, including hardware upgrades and power amplification, and collaborate with international stations for receive capability.
- Rick: Consider and report next week on any unexpected scientific or operational capabilities enabled by the high-accuracy time and frequency system at DSES.
