Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
The team discussed technical progress on various projects including DVB-S2 adapter requirements, FPGA/ASIC development, and the implementation of a DVBS2 encoder port. Updates were shared about the University of Arizona's CATSAT satellite operations and ongoing work on differential encoder-decoder issues, with the team exploring optimization of preamble designs and lock circuits. The conversation ended with discussions about open-source licensing for hardware and software projects, participation in ham radio events, and recent regulatory challenges related to FCC proposals and ITAR restrictions.
Satellite Technology and Progress Updates
Aaron reported progress on the DVBS2 encoder port implementation, including the RRC filter and PL frame generator, while also announcing the order of parts for a mini-tuner receiver to validate DVBS2 GSC packets. Mike Parker shared updates about his work with the University of Arizona CATSAT program. The satellite has been in orbit for over a year and continues to provide effective data transfer through DVBS2 despite significant Doppler shifts.
CATSAT Amateur Radio Satellite Launch
The University of Arizona's CATSAT satellite has been successfully launched and is now operational, featuring a 5 GHz uplink and 10 GHz downlink capability for amateur radio use.The satellite is stabilized and students have been successfully operating it, with plans to make the linear transponder mode available to HAMS in the coming weeks. The team discussed the need for dual-band feeds, with Michelle offering to provide designs and potentially arrange a new production run, while Mike Parker shared that he is building a station with two 1-meter dishes for each frequency.
Differential Encoder-Decoder Issue Resolution
Matthew reported progress on resolving a long-standing differential encoder-decoder issue, which was finally fixed after identifying and correcting problems with the encoder. The team acknowledged Matthew's hard work on the modem design and the progress made.
Modem Design Optimization Strategies
The team discussed optimizing the preamble length and implementing a lock circuit to ensure the modem's proper functioning. They noted that while simulations sometimes differ from hardware results, the current design performs very well in lab conditions.
Phase Lock Loop Gain Discrepancies
The team discussed progress on differential encoder/decoder implementation and 32-bit AXI transfers in the main branch, which are now functioning correctly. The main open issue centered around loop gains, where Matthew and the team found that while empirical hardware gains work well, analytically derived gains from MATLAB simulations and academic sources don't perform as expected, creating a need to better understand the discrepancies between simulation, hardware, and theoretical models.
Preamble Optimization for PI Gain
The team discussed the importance of optimizing preamble designs for PI gain, emphasizing the need to balance performance in low SNR environments and Doppler conditions. They acknowledged that the relationship between preamble optimization and PI gain may not be linear, and highlighted the existence of good code for both simulating and executing PI gain searches in both software and hardware.
Ham Radio AI and Innovation
The team discussed their participation in Pacificon, a ham radio event in San Ramon, California, where Michelle was invited to give a keynote about artificial intelligence and machine learning in amateur radio. They learned that MMDVM, a digital voice project, is not interested in expanding beyond their 25kHz limit despite having a new chip with 500kHz bandwidth capability, so the team will continue developing their own Opulent Voice product. The team also shared that they successfully presented a recorded talk at the AMSAT UK Symposium about ORI's mission, space projects, and regulatory work, which was well-received.
Remote Lab and Protocol Progress
The team discussed progress on the remote lab and Opulent Voice project. They agreed to implement the FrameSync receiver in HDL to enable byte synchronization and over-the-air demos. Michelle explained the protocol's frame structure and synchronization process. The team also heard about Paul's efforts to improve the testing environment.
EME Progress and Open Source Updates
The group discussed recent severe weather conditions across the United States, including flooding in Western Colorado and coastal areas. Rick reported that the DSES had completed EME work with an updated Diane package and made progress on recording science data. He also mentioned that a paper on pulsar measurements was being submitted for publication and that he was continuing work on the website's project pages.
Open Source and CERN Hardware Licensing Discussion
Rick and Michelle discussed the CERN open hardware license and its relevance to open source projects, particularly for organizations like DSES.
The team discussed technical progress on various projects including DVB-S2 adapter requirements, FPGA/ASIC development, and the implementation of a DVBS2 encoder port. Updates were shared about the University of Arizona's CATSAT satellite operations and ongoing work on differential encoder-decoder issues, with the team exploring optimization of preamble designs and lock circuits. The conversation ended with discussions about open-source licensing for hardware and software projects, participation in ham radio events, and recent regulatory challenges related to FCC proposals and ITAR restrictions.
Satellite Technology and Progress Updates
Aaron reported progress on the DVBS2 encoder port implementation, including the RRC filter and PL frame generator, while also announcing the order of parts for a mini-tuner receiver to validate DVBS2 GSC packets. Mike Parker shared updates about his work with the University of Arizona CATSAT program. The satellite has been in orbit for over a year and continues to provide effective data transfer through DVBS2 despite significant Doppler shifts.
CATSAT Amateur Radio Satellite Launch
The University of Arizona's CATSAT satellite has been successfully launched and is now operational, featuring a 5 GHz uplink and 10 GHz downlink capability for amateur radio use.The satellite is stabilized and students have been successfully operating it, with plans to make the linear transponder mode available to HAMS in the coming weeks. The team discussed the need for dual-band feeds, with Michelle offering to provide designs and potentially arrange a new production run, while Mike Parker shared that he is building a station with two 1-meter dishes for each frequency.
Differential Encoder-Decoder Issue Resolution
Matthew reported progress on resolving a long-standing differential encoder-decoder issue, which was finally fixed after identifying and correcting problems with the encoder. The team acknowledged Matthew's hard work on the modem design and the progress made.
Modem Design Optimization Strategies
The team discussed optimizing the preamble length and implementing a lock circuit to ensure the modem's proper functioning. They noted that while simulations sometimes differ from hardware results, the current design performs very well in lab conditions.
Phase Lock Loop Gain Discrepancies
The team discussed progress on differential encoder/decoder implementation and 32-bit AXI transfers in the main branch, which are now functioning correctly. The main open issue centered around loop gains, where Matthew and the team found that while empirical hardware gains work well, analytically derived gains from MATLAB simulations and academic sources don't perform as expected, creating a need to better understand the discrepancies between simulation, hardware, and theoretical models.
Preamble Optimization for PI Gain
The team discussed the importance of optimizing preamble designs for PI gain, emphasizing the need to balance performance in low SNR environments and Doppler conditions. They acknowledged that the relationship between preamble optimization and PI gain may not be linear, and highlighted the existence of good code for both simulating and executing PI gain searches in both software and hardware.
Ham Radio AI and Innovation
The team discussed their participation in Pacificon, a ham radio event in San Ramon, California, where Michelle was invited to give a keynote about artificial intelligence and machine learning in amateur radio. They learned that MMDVM, a digital voice project, is not interested in expanding beyond their 25kHz limit despite having a new chip with 500kHz bandwidth capability, so the team will continue developing their own Opulent Voice product. The team also shared that they successfully presented a recorded talk at the AMSAT UK Symposium about ORI's mission, space projects, and regulatory work, which was well-received.
Remote Lab and Protocol Progress
The team discussed progress on the remote lab and Opulent Voice project. They agreed to implement the FrameSync receiver in HDL to enable byte synchronization and over-the-air demos. Michelle explained the protocol's frame structure and synchronization process. The team also heard about Paul's efforts to improve the testing environment.
EME Progress and Open Source Updates
The group discussed recent severe weather conditions across the United States, including flooding in Western Colorado and coastal areas. Rick reported that the DSES had completed EME work with an updated Diane package and made progress on recording science data. He also mentioned that a paper on pulsar measurements was being submitted for publication and that he was continuing work on the website's project pages.
Open Source and CERN Hardware Licensing Discussion
Rick and Michelle discussed the CERN open hardware license and its relevance to open source projects, particularly for organizations like DSES.
