Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
The entire recording of the FPGA Projects Meetup.
We focused on updates and progress across several projects, including OpenCPI, Opulent Voice Protocol, and the Mode Dynamic Transponder for AMSAT UK's FunCube+ satellite. Aaron reported on advancements with the OpenCPI framework, including work on packet fragmentation and successful testing on ZC102 and ZC106 development boards. Paul shared results from power estimator validation experiments and discussed plans to test the software modem on a PlutoSDR to compare to the results from the LibreSDR. The team discussed collaboration with AMSAT-UK for the FunCube Plus satellite, and AMSAT-DL for FutureGEO, with plans to present at upcoming events like Friedrichshafen in June. Rick provided updates on NASA's Artemis II mission and shared his results using AI tools like Claude for code refactoring. Oscar highlighted the use of AI and machine learning in research at the University of Puerto Rico, emphasizing its role in analyzing space data and teaching students. The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of accessible documentation and open-source contributions to advance interdisciplinary fields like software-defined radio and FPGA design.
Next steps
Aaron: Continue work to achieve end-to-end IP data transmission with OpenCPI, targeting progress by next week.
Paul and team: Run sensitivity tests on the Pluto software modem as were performed on the Libra SDR, over the next week.
Paul and team: Perform additional power estimator tests with frequency offset (simulated via NCO or firmware calibration) to assess sensitivity to frequency error.
Paul and team: Test the effect of decreasing signal strength on the vocoder's audio output quality as signal degrades.
Michelle and team: Continue prototyping and development of the FunCube Plus MDT (Mode Dynamic Transponder) VHDL and associated general purpose processor code, and maintain communication with AMSAT UK for support and coordination.
Matthew: Update and expand the modem tools documentation in the Pluto MSP repo, including documenting useful VS Code extensions.
Matthew: Continue work on the alternate block detector mechanism for the modem in the next week.
Michelle: Send Oscar the link or PDF of the QEX article on the AI RIDI receiver once it is published and permission is granted.
Oscar: Double check and send Michelle the schedule for the Sherwood presentation on radio sensitivity/quality.
Michelle: Consider preparing and recording a presentation summarizing recent work for AMSAT DL/UK and/or YouTube, as suggested by Oscar.
The entire recording of the FPGA Projects Meetup.
We focused on updates and progress across several projects, including OpenCPI, Opulent Voice Protocol, and the Mode Dynamic Transponder for AMSAT UK's FunCube+ satellite. Aaron reported on advancements with the OpenCPI framework, including work on packet fragmentation and successful testing on ZC102 and ZC106 development boards. Paul shared results from power estimator validation experiments and discussed plans to test the software modem on a PlutoSDR to compare to the results from the LibreSDR. The team discussed collaboration with AMSAT-UK for the FunCube Plus satellite, and AMSAT-DL for FutureGEO, with plans to present at upcoming events like Friedrichshafen in June. Rick provided updates on NASA's Artemis II mission and shared his results using AI tools like Claude for code refactoring. Oscar highlighted the use of AI and machine learning in research at the University of Puerto Rico, emphasizing its role in analyzing space data and teaching students. The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of accessible documentation and open-source contributions to advance interdisciplinary fields like software-defined radio and FPGA design.
Next steps
Aaron: Continue work to achieve end-to-end IP data transmission with OpenCPI, targeting progress by next week.
Paul and team: Run sensitivity tests on the Pluto software modem as were performed on the Libra SDR, over the next week.
Paul and team: Perform additional power estimator tests with frequency offset (simulated via NCO or firmware calibration) to assess sensitivity to frequency error.
Paul and team: Test the effect of decreasing signal strength on the vocoder's audio output quality as signal degrades.
Michelle and team: Continue prototyping and development of the FunCube Plus MDT (Mode Dynamic Transponder) VHDL and associated general purpose processor code, and maintain communication with AMSAT UK for support and coordination.
Matthew: Update and expand the modem tools documentation in the Pluto MSP repo, including documenting useful VS Code extensions.
Matthew: Continue work on the alternate block detector mechanism for the modem in the next week.
Michelle: Send Oscar the link or PDF of the QEX article on the AI RIDI receiver once it is published and permission is granted.
Oscar: Double check and send Michelle the schedule for the Sherwood presentation on radio sensitivity/quality.
Michelle: Consider preparing and recording a presentation summarizing recent work for AMSAT DL/UK and/or YouTube, as suggested by Oscar.
