Radarcape:About the Radarcape: Difference between revisions

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The idea behind the Radarcape is that there are many ideas of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_S Mode-S] and passive radar applications that require a high performance backend. It combines a specialized [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADS-B ADS-B] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fpga FPGA] decoder with an embedded [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BeagleBone Beaglebone] board.
After the big success of the [[Modesbeast:Contents|Mode-S Beast]] we saw that there is a big demand for a more sophisticated unit with a special focus on
* remote operation
* standalone data processing
* low power consumption
* easier maintenance and SW update
and not at least
* enhanced multilateration


Beaglebone Features:
===Application Features===
* 700 MHz ARM CortexTM-A8 based board
* Supports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux Linux], [http://www.android.com Android], and other operating systems
* USB host and slave
* 10/100 MBit LAN
* Internal Micro-SD card
* 100 kSample ADC, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I2c I²C], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Peripheral_Interface_Bus SPI], and plenty of other interfaces


The Beaglebone is supported by official Linux kernel and there are ready-to-go Linux distributions available which can simply become installed on the system. Writing software for the Beaglebone is as easy as writing software for a DOS box in Windows. Two other outstanding facts are the price, which is in the range of a single Xport, and the small size, see the Beaglebone link above.
The idea that can realize this is a combination of the Mode-S Beast together with a embedded Linux board which are now available for a reasonable price and with community support. This would at least fulfill the first points. For example, the SW update may now happen with a simple click on a menu item in the internally provides web server, such as you may be used from your network devices. There no longer are DIP switches, instead the configuration can be changed just using an web browser.


Radarcape has evolved from the proven technics of the [[Modesbeast:Contents|Mode-S Beast]]. All experience and performance can 1:1 be transfered to it. It still has one receiver on boards plus a connector for external signals. The FPGA is from the next generation compared to the Mode-S Beast. It offers enough resources for internal preprocessing and other modulation schemes.
===Multilateration===


Most probable the sample rate will be 32MSample per second, twice as high as of the Mode-S Beast. Due to this the timestamp accuracy will be increased, and also weak frames can be resolved much better. A Trimble GPS module has been added for timestamp and location services. The GPS information will be available to the FPGA and the Linux system.
For enhanced multilateration, the Radarcape is equipped with a GPS synchronized clock with an accuracy in the nanosecond level. This is completly processed in the FPGA without any influence through the Linux system.  


The FPGA firmware can be downloaded from the Linux System and is no longer be stored in a local flash. This makes firmware handling much easier and allows bundling of applications with the FPGA firmware like in many professional systems.
Currently the Radarcape does not provide Multilateration by itself but requires second level software. However, an internal solution is under development and might be presented soon.


The Radarcape interfaces to an internal 3.3V TTL UART of the Beaglebone and no longer has USB on board, however there is a USB connectivity in the traditional way through the Beaglebone. Actually the Beaglebone in its basic delivery configuration already provides a FTDI serial interface towards USB. The Beaglebone's SPI and I²C interfaces can be used in order to initalize exernal hardware, for example in order to set external receivers to a dedicated frequency.
===Easy Usage===


The mechanical design will allow an integration into a small box with all externals accessible. The total power consumption is expected to be around 5W.
With its small size and the low power consumption the Radarcape is ideal for running all time without a PC behind and collecting data. The application SW on the Radarcape will output collected data in several ways, like
* raw data formats for second level software on PCs
* HTML tables for personal viewing or computer postprocessing
* KML files for mapping software, such as Google Earth
 
Not at least the Radarcape incorporates some improvements we've leared from the Mode-S Beast, further enhancing range and frame rate.

Revision as of 05:56, 13 November 2013

After the big success of the Mode-S Beast we saw that there is a big demand for a more sophisticated unit with a special focus on

  • remote operation
  • standalone data processing
  • low power consumption
  • easier maintenance and SW update

and not at least

  • enhanced multilateration

Application Features

The idea that can realize this is a combination of the Mode-S Beast together with a embedded Linux board which are now available for a reasonable price and with community support. This would at least fulfill the first points. For example, the SW update may now happen with a simple click on a menu item in the internally provides web server, such as you may be used from your network devices. There no longer are DIP switches, instead the configuration can be changed just using an web browser.

Multilateration

For enhanced multilateration, the Radarcape is equipped with a GPS synchronized clock with an accuracy in the nanosecond level. This is completly processed in the FPGA without any influence through the Linux system.

Currently the Radarcape does not provide Multilateration by itself but requires second level software. However, an internal solution is under development and might be presented soon.

Easy Usage

With its small size and the low power consumption the Radarcape is ideal for running all time without a PC behind and collecting data. The application SW on the Radarcape will output collected data in several ways, like

  • raw data formats for second level software on PCs
  • HTML tables for personal viewing or computer postprocessing
  • KML files for mapping software, such as Google Earth

Not at least the Radarcape incorporates some improvements we've leared from the Mode-S Beast, further enhancing range and frame rate.

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