Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
The meeting focused on updates and progress related to FPGA designs and implementations. Aaron reported on porting the DVBS2 encoder to OpenCPI, overcoming issues with VHDL 2008, and creating a block design wrapper with external inputs and outputs. He plans to implement the Evariste's (F5OEO) logic in OpenCPI, initializing modulators and constellation registers.
Data Flow Timing and Analysis with Opulent Voice
Paul discussed the progress made in addressing timing issues related to the flow of data from the encapsulated network interface through software and hardware components to the modem in the FPGA. He explained that the current focus is on ensuring timely data transmission without adding excessive latency or missing deadlines, and he has implemented a new plan that appears to be working effectively. Paul also mentioned that he has successfully used the Maia project, a Pluto-based software, to conduct fast spectrum analysis and capture, which has helped identify gaps in the spectrum that were previously undetectable. The next steps involve testing the receiving capability, after which on-air testing will be conducted, marking a significant milestone for the project.
Pluto USB Interface Challenges
Paul discussed challenges with the Pluto's USB interface and explored solutions for network data transmission. He mentioned ordering a USB tracing device to capture raw USB transactions and potentially switch to a Pluto clone with Ethernet support. Paul also acquired a Libre SDR, which has four ports, Ethernet, and a larger FPGA, as a potential improvement over the original Pluto. Michelle highlighted the resolution of latency issues and improvements in software performance, with Paul confirming that the system now operates smoothly without gaps.
Transmitter Testing and Debugging Progress
The team has made progress in testing the transmitter and modem, successfully demonstrating PRBS data transmission over the air with 0% error. However, they identified issues with external data transmission, including potential HDL problems and error starvation in the loop tracking system. The team is working to create additional test benches for both PRBS and external data modes, and is investigating the cause of garbled received data despite proper timing recovery. They plan to continue debugging and optimizing the system, with a focus on proportional and integral controller gains.
BitBanger Radio Project Updates
Evan reported progress on building a clamshell case for his BitBanger radio project, which will include an audio amplifier. Rick shared updates on his recent activities, including a club picnic and data collection efforts at Haswell (DSES). He discussed swapping out hardware and software modules to improve data analysis results, but was not satisfied with the improvements. Rick plans to conduct further analysis using the Virgo data collection system and update his Ubuntu software to resolve various issues.
Crab Pulsar Detection Experiment
Rick reported on a successful experiment detecting the Crab Pulsar, achieving a sensitivity of 550 millijanskys, which he described as "significantly below typical working levels". (Indeed!) He noted that the pulsar was stronger at lower frequencies around 387 MHz, using a B210 SDR synchronized with GPS time. Rick expressed frustration with new radio modules' RF gain control capabilities and considered swapping out the smaller SDRs for a B210 SDR, despite its higher cost, as it would provide more data capture information. He planned to analyze Virgo data first before potentially traveling to Haswell with Paul and Ray.
Spectrum Analyzer Troubleshooting Update
Rick discussed troubleshooting a Spectrum Analyzer that stopped working, initially blaming power supply issues but eventually discovering the problem was with a short circuit on the board. Despite fixing the power supplies and boards, the Spectrum Analyzer remained non-functional.
Signal Modulation and Radar Experiments
The group discussed upcoming experiments with signal modulation and encoding. They reviewed Ed Friesma's application for the Analog Devices Phaser Project, which aims to use a phased array to characterize 10 GHz radar installations, potentially with weather radar organizations. The team also discussed their late summer newsletter and upcoming events, including the AMSAT-DL (Germany) Symposium and Pacificon, where they will present communications work including Earth-Venus-Earth communications and link analysis.
Paul mentioned the remote lab's capabilities for transmitting on any frequency from IQ samples and his plans to capture and replay packet scenarios for automated testing. Remote Lab South equipment has been used for Opulent Voice investigations and the performance is significantly upgraded compared to the older Remote Lab West VMs.
The meeting focused on updates and progress related to FPGA designs and implementations. Aaron reported on porting the DVBS2 encoder to OpenCPI, overcoming issues with VHDL 2008, and creating a block design wrapper with external inputs and outputs. He plans to implement the Evariste's (F5OEO) logic in OpenCPI, initializing modulators and constellation registers.
Data Flow Timing and Analysis with Opulent Voice
Paul discussed the progress made in addressing timing issues related to the flow of data from the encapsulated network interface through software and hardware components to the modem in the FPGA. He explained that the current focus is on ensuring timely data transmission without adding excessive latency or missing deadlines, and he has implemented a new plan that appears to be working effectively. Paul also mentioned that he has successfully used the Maia project, a Pluto-based software, to conduct fast spectrum analysis and capture, which has helped identify gaps in the spectrum that were previously undetectable. The next steps involve testing the receiving capability, after which on-air testing will be conducted, marking a significant milestone for the project.
Pluto USB Interface Challenges
Paul discussed challenges with the Pluto's USB interface and explored solutions for network data transmission. He mentioned ordering a USB tracing device to capture raw USB transactions and potentially switch to a Pluto clone with Ethernet support. Paul also acquired a Libre SDR, which has four ports, Ethernet, and a larger FPGA, as a potential improvement over the original Pluto. Michelle highlighted the resolution of latency issues and improvements in software performance, with Paul confirming that the system now operates smoothly without gaps.
Transmitter Testing and Debugging Progress
The team has made progress in testing the transmitter and modem, successfully demonstrating PRBS data transmission over the air with 0% error. However, they identified issues with external data transmission, including potential HDL problems and error starvation in the loop tracking system. The team is working to create additional test benches for both PRBS and external data modes, and is investigating the cause of garbled received data despite proper timing recovery. They plan to continue debugging and optimizing the system, with a focus on proportional and integral controller gains.
BitBanger Radio Project Updates
Evan reported progress on building a clamshell case for his BitBanger radio project, which will include an audio amplifier. Rick shared updates on his recent activities, including a club picnic and data collection efforts at Haswell (DSES). He discussed swapping out hardware and software modules to improve data analysis results, but was not satisfied with the improvements. Rick plans to conduct further analysis using the Virgo data collection system and update his Ubuntu software to resolve various issues.
Crab Pulsar Detection Experiment
Rick reported on a successful experiment detecting the Crab Pulsar, achieving a sensitivity of 550 millijanskys, which he described as "significantly below typical working levels". (Indeed!) He noted that the pulsar was stronger at lower frequencies around 387 MHz, using a B210 SDR synchronized with GPS time. Rick expressed frustration with new radio modules' RF gain control capabilities and considered swapping out the smaller SDRs for a B210 SDR, despite its higher cost, as it would provide more data capture information. He planned to analyze Virgo data first before potentially traveling to Haswell with Paul and Ray.
Spectrum Analyzer Troubleshooting Update
Rick discussed troubleshooting a Spectrum Analyzer that stopped working, initially blaming power supply issues but eventually discovering the problem was with a short circuit on the board. Despite fixing the power supplies and boards, the Spectrum Analyzer remained non-functional.
Signal Modulation and Radar Experiments
The group discussed upcoming experiments with signal modulation and encoding. They reviewed Ed Friesma's application for the Analog Devices Phaser Project, which aims to use a phased array to characterize 10 GHz radar installations, potentially with weather radar organizations. The team also discussed their late summer newsletter and upcoming events, including the AMSAT-DL (Germany) Symposium and Pacificon, where they will present communications work including Earth-Venus-Earth communications and link analysis.
Paul mentioned the remote lab's capabilities for transmitting on any frequency from IQ samples and his plans to capture and replay packet scenarios for automated testing. Remote Lab South equipment has been used for Opulent Voice investigations and the performance is significantly upgraded compared to the older Remote Lab West VMs.
