четверг, 21 января 2010 г.

New update! Improved bit stream.


Please watch small video-clip about new update.


In all previous versions, the bit stream received as a result of demodulation of PSK signals in SA, was represented as relative corners, that caused some problems with the subsequent processing of the received data.

From version 6.1.0.8 and above, universal PSK demodulator in SA, produces a bit stream in conditional codes of absolute corners. Such approach in the first, removes set of artificial problems with the subsequent data conversion, because to receive bites from absolute codes of corners does not represent special complexity, and in the second, it is a standard format for the majority of similar solutions.

We have divided/separated operation of the viewer, and operation of the demodulator, although they are still closely connected, but can work in different dimensions n-Ary. It allows to select an optimal mode of demodulation, that is certainly positively influences on the quality of a bit stream.

Two new units are added:

1) Vectors dem - at active state shows working positions of the demodulator, in the form of the vector diagram.
2) Dem output as - the list of modes accessible to the demodulator, it is possible to select any, depending on a signal and the task.

The bit stream is output by the demodulator in the form of codes of positions of absolute corners, which are occupied with a constellation point, at the time moment, which is corresponding to clock synchronization. The zero vector is displayed by light-blue colour, and encoded as 0, other positions are encoded by increasing and numbered counter-clockwise from a zero vector.

The list of operating modes of the demodulator includes:
1) standard mode
2) modes for demodulation of relative sorts, such as PI/4 DQPSK and similar.

For these sorts of signals, mapping of constellation with reduced arity in a mode of the first difference, and besides, turn of the constellation on an appropriate corner is characteristic. All this is well-known, but it was an absolute barrier for the qualitative demodulation in former versions.

In the list of modes of demodulation, for such signals these modes are flagged by s character (s means- special/shifted).

Please, pay attention that dimension of a viewer n-Ary 8 does not correspond to dimension of demodulation 4, and besides, special shift is necessary. In usual universal demodulators, it calls very serious problems with the quality of a bit stream for such signals.

One more example of receiving of a direct bit stream for the signal Orbcomm: it is possible thanks to the fact, that modulation used, in this case, is SDPSK, and it is equivalent to PI/2 DBPSK( or other names, PSK-2 with phase rotation, PSK-4 without transitions on 180 etc). And as it is binary sort of modulation, there is possibility to receive bits directly from the demodulator.

It is known that such sort of manipulation concerns to half-modes, and the signal can be demodulated by the frequency detector ( as a compulsory measure of course). Let's compare quality of the received bit stream with the coherent demodulator in SA and the bit stream, received in the frequency detector. Naturally, in this case, the stream from SA demodulator is more preferable, because all possibilities of coherent processings are realised.


пятница, 15 января 2010 г.

Signals Analyzer update 2010!

SA Update to version 6.1.0.7.a

Update is concerned to Phase Plane module, also, minor disadvantages, which were detected by users and us, are eliminated.

The problem of the slow operation in Phase Plane on wideband signals is solved.

Now, the process of demodulation does not depend on sort of mapping of constellation, earlier it was not so, and correct demodulation was possible only in an absolute mode.

The algorithm of constellations mapping was changed. The colour graphic palette is changed. It improves visualization of constellations, and positively influences on quality of screenshots and videoclips.


The main feature of this update : Possibility to measure phase angles is added.

When function "Angles" is activated, the histogram of allocation of constellation angles is constructing in corrector window (parallel with constellation mapping).
This window has such structure:
upper half - area of positive angles mapping
lower half - area of negative angles mapping

From the right to left across, the distance from 0 to 180 degrees is developed. Accuracy of mapping and measurements approximately is 0.36 degrees on pixel, that is high enough.

Correspondence of the displayed histogram to constellation is represented below.
If to speak about PSK signal, then connection (correspondence) is direct and obvious. But, it is important to mark: positions 0 and 180 degrees (in case, they are present in constellation), that each of these positions belong to one own vector, and it does not depend on polarity of the histogram. It seems like it should be clear, but I pay attention to this moment, as for other positions on the histogram it is not so, both positive and negative values are different vectors in constellation.
In lower part of the form, current cursor position on an angular axis is displayed in two values:
1) the direct value (in the first field) - it is an angle from 0 to a cursor position
2) the reversed value(in the second field) - it is an angle from 180 to a cursor position

The histogram is continuously under construction in the course of constellation mapping, that is, there is an accumulation of results. The histogram image can be scaled by the regulator on the right side of the
window.

After we got enough of results, and the picture is more or less clear, it is necessary to stop operation of Phase Plane module by button "Stop", and already directly on the histogram to make necessary measurements.
Having brought the cursor to peak on the histogram, you have to simply do clique by the left mouse button. The data will be written in the window of information output. In "clique" position the colour marker will be put. The colour of record corresponds to colour of the marker. By the reason of bad color difference on thin lines in colored areas, the marker has a thickness in three pixels, and the area of construction of the histogram has protective bars below and above, on which colour of the marker is well distinguishable.

The data is written in a following format:
1) the record number, this is conditional value and does not oblige to anything
2) an angle between a zero position (reference point) and marker
3) a difference of the angles between current marker and previous marker

These are standard enough values, which usually are interest first of all, and we have counted possible to calculate them at once.

In total, it is possible to put 10 markers, although usually two or three markers will be enough.

Right mouse clique on the histogram will remove all markers. Markers will be removed all at once together with measurement records.

The histogram is not under construction, if clock synchronization is switched off.
It is also possible to do all measurements without stopping Phase Plane operation.

Surely, In the near future there will be more detailed article with examples of operation with this function.

I want note, please read this is important:
Do not confuse position of a point in constellation, with an angle/vector, on which, this point is located, and which is displayed and measured on the histogram! That is, on the histogram we have radial angle/vector, on which lots of points can be allocated(for example QAM, PAM and other special modes), but NOT point position in the constellation as can seem at first sight.

среда, 6 января 2010 г.

DCF77. Germany standard of time and frequency

DCF77. Germany standard of time and frequency
Mixed mode, AM and special PSK +/- 13 degrees. Br~646 Hz

Here is the record of this signal. Send by cryptomaster.

Author: SergUA6
Band Width ~1100 Hz
Low Range ~950 Hz, shift is possible, recieving is in SSB
Baud Rate ~646 Hz
n-Ary (PSK/MPSK) Special mode +/- 13 degrees
Count of Carriers 1
Carrier frequency ~1493 Hz in this record. In reality exact value is 77500 Hz
RX mode SSB

Sonograms:
pic.1 General view

pic.2 Spectrum's detalization
pic.3 Manipulation speed
Diagrams:
pic.4 View after AM detector
pic.5 View on Phase plane
DCF77 - The frequency and time standard allocated in Germany. Appearance of this record in our base, and its actually complete analysis is the result of brilliant operation of members of our forum. Many people know about this signal, but not many know about its structure and even less learned it in details. The signal possesses interesting enough parametres: phase manipulation with angles + / - 13 degrees. Data format is well enough described and accessible in the Internet. Exact frequency of radiation is 77500 Hertz.

пятница, 1 января 2010 г.

MPSK: Robust Packet Radio 8 Channels

Robust Packet Radio 8 Channels
Ch-8, Br-50, Sh-60, Mode-differencial PSK-2 also named as SDPSK.

Author: SergUA6
Band Width ~500 Hz
Low Range 300 Hz, shift is possible, recieved in SSB
Baud Rate 50 Hz
n-Ary (PSK/MPSK) Special PSK-4(SDPSK)
Count of Carriers 8 easily recognizeble frequencies
Step between carriers 60 Hz
RX mode SSB

The example of the signal is here. Send by cryptomaster.

Sonograms:
pic.1 General view
pic.2 Graphical spectrum
pic.3 Manipulation speed
Diagrams:
pic.4 Phase constellation

ROBUST PACKET RADIO 8 Channels - relatively new type, which is used by amateurs often.
It has multichannel transmission, in this case, we have 8channel transmission.
This signal isn't OFDM, although it is mistakenly considered to OFDM often.
Maximum technical speed is 8*50 = 400 bps.

четверг, 24 декабря 2009 г.

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!



среда, 23 декабря 2009 г.

SA: How to work with OFDM module. How to apply new features of OFDM module on practice. Practical examples on real signals from the air.

Several practical examples on the real signals.

Full version of this really interesting tutorial is here.

After version 6.1.0.5 and article SA OFDM module, constellations in channels has appeared, we received several letters with questions about how to use OFDM module and what are practical possibilities of constellations in the channels.

Even taking into account those difficulties, which have been described in previous article, SA OFDM module represents powerful tool. Operation with this tool we will be considered more detailed in this article.

In this small tutorial we took 4 real signals from the air to work with in SA OFDM Module.

Here is the signals from the air, which are used for analysis in this tutorial:

1) DAB



I do not post the whole artilce in the blog, because it will take too much space, not because of text, but because of pictures.


My personal opinion: It will be very interesting to read for everyone.


четверг, 17 декабря 2009 г.

WINDRM 51-Tone COFDM Modem

WINDRM 51-Tone COFDM Modem
Amateur mode, Br-37.5, Sh-46.875, Ch-51, QAM-64


Author: SergUA6
Band Width 2400 Hz
Low Range 300 Hz
Baud Rate 37.5 Hz
Count of Carriers 51
Step between carriers 46.875 Hz
Pilot tone(s) 3 pilot tones 750, 1500 and 1875 Hz
ACF 400 ms, brightly expressed period
RX mode SSB

Sonograms:
pic.1 General view

pic.2 Graphical spectrum
pic.3 Allocation of channeles
Diagrams:
pic.4 Constellation of the lower channel, start.
pic.5 Constellation of the lower channel
pic.6 Constellations in other channeles
Pictures:
pic.7 ACF

WINDRM 51-TONE - difficult enough sort of modulation mastered by hams, the "industrial" basis is certainly visible, many things are taken from standard DRM. 400 msec frames and the circuit of a rating/spacing of pilots-tones are made by analogy of "big DRM", all accessible frequency resource of 2400 Hz is completely used. SA possibilities allow to receive both signal parametres, and constellation in any channel. It is well visible that QAM-64 is with various service "design", there are also channels with "pure" QAM-64. Maximum technical speed is 10800 bps.