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cyoung / stratux

Aviation weather and traffic receiver based on RTL-SDR.
BSD 3-Clause "New" or "Revised" License
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Write mode ID string to dongle #105

Closed jpoirier closed 6 years ago

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

I propose that we add functionality such that a user can request that a mode ID string be written to a dongle.For example:

The user has a single dongle inserted with just 978UAT mode enabled. The user presses a "write current mode to dongle" button in the web ui's setting and the "stratux:978" string gets written to the dongle's eeprom. Similar for s single dongle with just 1090ES mode enabled, the "stratux:1090" string gets written to the dongle's eeprom.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

nice!

Since you've added all the necessary restart code, the capability can easily be exposed through the WebUI, showing what the current identification is (if any) and letting them "mark" the SDRs. Since the backend code is assuming specific strings, there is not need for the user to do anything more than click a button and get confirmation.

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

Okay, hadn't thought about that. Having that sort of fine grained control and/or information at the web ui would be really nice!

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 10:46 AM, bradanlane notifications@github.com wrote:

nice!

Since you've added all the necessary restart code, the capability can easily be exposed through the WebUI, showing what the current identification is (if any) and letting them "mark" the SDRs. Since the backend code is assuming specific strings, there is not need for the user to do anything more than click a button and get confirmation.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-155840360.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

Within the page-context help for "Settings" I can explain,

To use a specific SDR for 978UAT, plug in just the desired SDR and use the UAT tagging button. To use a specific SDR for 1090ES, plug in just the desired SDR and use the ES tagging button.

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

But doesn't that already happen implicitly via the mode buttons.

E.g.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 10:58 AM, bradanlane notifications@github.com wrote:

Within the page-context help for "Settings" I can explain,

To use a specific SDR for 978UAT, plug in just the desired SDR and use the UAT tagging button. To use a specific SDR for 1090ES, plug in just the desired SDR and use the ES tagging button.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-155846123.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

Since we have a large number of Stratux assembled and "out in the wild", when the next release is posted, we will have one of two possible scenarios - the user has one SDR plugged in or the user has 2 SDRs plugged in.

When a user first starts Stratux after a new "release", the stratux.conf file has been initialized to its default with is 978UAT only. So we don't start with "both modes disabled".

If the user only has one SDR installed, then they may not choose to tag their SDR. In their mind, it does not add any value. They may not even go to the WebUI Settings page.

In the case of 2 SDRs inserted when they start the new release of Stratux. The user will [eventually] realize the absence of 1090ES, use the WebUI, and go to Settings to turn on the second SDR.

Since many users have tuned antennas or differing SDRs, only they will know which one they need to be UAT vs ES.

By giving them instruction on how they can control the tagging, we both insure the SDRs are correctly tagged and we give the user confidence that they control the tagging process.

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

By tagging do mean write one of the defined mode strings to the dongle's eeprom?

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 11:53 AM, bradanlane notifications@github.com wrote:

Since we have a large number of Stratux assembled and "out in the wild", when the next release is posted, we will have one of two possible scenarios

  • the user has one SDR plugged in or the user has 2 SDRs plugged in.

When a user first starts Stratux after a new "release", the stratux.conf file has been initialized to its default with is 978UAT only. So we don't start with "both modes disabled".

If the user only has one SDR installed, then they may not choose to tag their SDR. In their mind, it does not add any value. They may not even go to the WebUI Settings page.

In the case of 2 SDRs inserted when they start the new release of Stratux. The user will [eventually] realize the absence of 1090ES, use the WebUI, and go to Settings to turn on the second SDR.

Since many users have tuned antennas or differing SDRs, only they will know which one they need to be UAT vs ES.

By giving them instruction on how they can control the tagging, we both insure the SDRs are correctly tagged and we give the user confidence that they control the tagging process.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-155860626.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

yes. "tagging and SDR" is "writing mode string to eeprom".

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

Oh, okay, now it makes sense.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 11:59 AM, bradanlane notifications@github.com wrote:

yes. "tagging and SDR" is "writing mode string to eeprom".

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-155861872.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

I've used several different terms / descriptors in this discussion which hasn't helped but I've been trying to work out the best "end user language".

jpoirier commented 9 years ago

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 11:53 AM, bradanlane notifications@github.com wrote:

Since we have a large number of Stratux assembled and "out in the wild", when the next release is posted, we will have one of two possible scenarios

  • the user has one SDR plugged in or the user has 2 SDRs plugged in.

When a user first starts Stratux after a new "release", the stratux.conf file has been initialized to its default with is 978UAT only. So we don't start with "both modes disabled".

If the user only has one SDR installed, then they may not choose to tag their SDR. In their mind, it does not add any value. They may not even go to the WebUI Settings page.

In the case of 2 SDRs inserted when they start the new release of Stratux. The user will [eventually] realize the absence of 1090ES, use the WebUI, and go to Settings to turn on the second SDR.

Since many users have tuned antennas or differing SDRs, only they will know which one they need to be UAT vs ES.

By giving them instruction on how they can control the tagging, we both insure the SDRs are correctly tagged and we give the user confidence that they control the tagging process.

Yes. All of this. And a nice side benefit is that we ensure the proper ID string is being written.

And for those following this discussion that already have dongles with stratux IDs written to them, you're unaffected.

JohnOCFII commented 9 years ago

As a person with separately tuned antennas and two dongles, one an older SDR that Chris has recommended I use for the less intensive 1090ES processing, and one newer version, I've been watching with great interest. I would love to have a clear and definitive way to get my SDRs tagged properly to either 978 or 1090ES, and it sounds like this discussion has gotten us to a workable plan.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

Have no fear @JohnOCFII - I also have both an R820T and an R820T2 so having the definitive assignments will be helpful.

skypuppy commented 9 years ago

Is the t2 that much better in real life?

On 11/11/2015 03:10 PM, bradanlane wrote:

Have no fear @JohnOCFII https://github.com/JohnOCFII - I also have both an R820T and an R820T2 so having the definitive assignments will be helpful.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-155911673.

cyoung commented 9 years ago

@skypuppy - depends on your preferences. I haven't seen any tests definitively showing that the R820T has performance compared to the R820T2 that is worth saving the $10-15 for. If you want to run some tests that would be appreciated.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

Ibex done some broad spectrum tests and the R820T2 does perform better than the R820T. There are also some 3rd party tests to confirm.

That said, you can now get the newer R820T2 for about $12 (and I just ordered 4 @ $6.78) so the price is no longer a factor.

skypuppy commented 9 years ago

Can I ask where? They're still $20 and up on Amazon.

On 11/12/2015 01:51 PM, bradanlane wrote:

Ibex done some broad spectrum tests and the R820T2 does perform better than the R820T. There are also some 3rd party tests to confirm.

That said, you can now get the newer R820T2 for about $12 (and I just ordered 4 @ $6.78) so the price is no longer a factor.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/issues/105#issuecomment-156215993.

bradanlane commented 9 years ago

The $12 one seems to be out of stock. If you're not in a rush, there is a $10 (http://amzn.to/1MaieGF) deal but it will take about 4 weeks to arrive. I use these for multiple projects so I shop around and don't care if it's server all weeks for delivery.