Option to Automate the AGC-T setting

Al_NN4ZZ

Background
The AGC-T setting needs to be adjusted differently based on the band and current conditions that affect the noise floor.   We often need to make adjustments on a regular and frequent basis.   
This idea below was spurred by a request from Bill / K7UOP asking for a FlexLib feature to provide AGC-T values.   His idea is to write an external program to  set the AGC-T value based on the noise floor.   It would set the AGC-T a specific amount based on the current noise floor. He wrote such a program for PowerSDR.   Here is a link to his idea for reference:
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/flexlib-agc-t-values-in-dbm

Idea to Automate the AGC-T setting
My idea is to take it one step further and add an option to incorporate this into SmartSDR.  It would allow you to specify the amount above the noise floor you want and then it would automatically and dynamically keep the setting there.   Here are some notes and a mockup illustrating the changes to the GUI.

Features:
- retain ability to manually adjust the AGC-T by selecting "Manual" button.
- provide the ability to automatically and dynamically adjust the AGT-T by selecting the "Auto" button.
- Provide a slider for the auto setting to adjust from +0 dB to +25 dB.

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com


  

Al_NN4ZZ

If you like this idea, please add your vote.........

K1ESE

Good idea.  Add a delay so that the AGC-T isn't chasing static bursts.

73 de K1ESE
John

Jim K4JAF

All great ideas, an auto AGC-T would especially be good for new Flex Users who normally leave the RF Gain on max on their non SDR rigs.  73s Jim K4JAF

Al_NN4ZZ

John,
Thanks, I'm sure the developers will have some good ideas for averaging the noise floor.  Maybe something like checking the level once per second and averaging the last 10 or more seconds.  

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Al_NN4ZZ

If you use a directional antenna, averaging the noise floor would also account for the changes you see when rotating the antenna.   The AGC-T setting would adjust automatically....you wouldn't have to make adjustments manually like you do today. 

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Ken - NM9P

This would be very helpful. Then I could use the center button on the FlexControl for something other than AGC-T. I am constantly adjusting it, since I am a big band & mode hopper.

W4TMW

In conjunction with this AGC-T thread....I've mentioned this before, so I'll mention it again.

I've asked for some help in noise/ringing reduction when narrow filters (100-50 hz or less) are being used for hearing very weak (cw) signals seen on the waterfall (F6300) but not seen on the panadapter.  I'm referring to the S-0 to S-1 range. The fact that I can see a signal, like a vhf beacon, on the waterfall makes me believe I should be able to narrow my filter and hear it, maybe not by much, but hear it.....am I being too optimistic? 
 
I guess my point is, I hope if/when the 'Auto-AGC-T' is implemented, it will not replace the fact that, if possible, it would sure help if FRS could reduce the noise and ringing when using the very narrow bandwidth filters.
Sorry for sounding like a 'broken record'.......that's a term for us older guys
Tom
  

Bill - K7UOP

I've noticed that adjusting AGC-T to reduce the noise, ringing in the narrow filter is reduced. So, the combination of the narrow filter and adjusting the AGC threshold to just above the noise floor improves copying weak CW signals.

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Tom,
In addition to Bill's good comment on the AGC-T adjustment, there are 2 other idea requests that should also help.  Here are the links....you can add your vote of support if you agree.

Improve the APF
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/ssdr_v1_2_apf_could_use_more_gain_it_seems_diminish...

Improve the NR (which could help some on CW also)
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/improve_nr_noise_reduction_request_to_add_another_d...

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

W4TMW

Al,

Thanks for the links. 

Bill, yes, we've been down this road before, it does help but just not enough for weak signal work. It's kinda frustrating to see a weak vhf signal on the waterfall but not able to hear it due to noise and ringing. I keep thinking some of this can be removed digitally. I'll wait to see what v1.4 brings and we'll go from there. 

Thanks for your help, it's appreciated.

Tom

Al_NN4ZZ

There are two AGC Idea threads. I think both have merit and are worth consideration for your vote. https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/option-to-automate-the-agc-t-setting 2 years old, 46 votes proposes a setting to automate the AGC. I hadn't considered this idea but as an option (still allowing me to manually set it if I like) it makes sense. I gave it a vote. https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/horizontal-line-for-agc-t 4 months old, 39 votes. I like this one a little better. It's more manual but possibly more instructional. It proposes adding a line to indicate the AGC-T level. I voted for this one also. Kev Hi Kevin, Adding both the line and offering the automated option would be great. Automating the setting would likely be very effective for many of us that don't always remember to tweak the setting as conditions change, or as we rotate our beams, change bands , etc. And having the visual indicator on the screen would serve as a reminder, an aid to manually adjusting , and feedback on how well the automated option is working. Although these requests are ranked highly and have been on the list for several years, I don't think we will get any official feedback until/unless it is part of a release. While both are a SMOP, they don't seem to be a high priority compared to the other big ticket items. Maybe in V2, or V3, or V4. Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

Ken - NM9P

I will reiterate my statement from 10 months ago...

I like the idea of an "automatic AGC" as long as I can still go back to the current method at will, OR if the slider could become a +/- adjustment to nudge the position a little above or below the nominal position to account for preference or band conditions.

So Manual AGC mode - the slider functions as it does now,

Automatic AGC mode - the slider becomes a center-detent +/- control.

And if they could implement this in conjunction with an "Active Hang AGC" that I proposed in another post, it would be heavenly!

Walt - KZ1F

There is a vid that, as I recall Lee made, where he made the comment to adjust agc-t down 3dB. This was a vid where he was using flex meter. I don't know what's magical about 3dB but, at one level it makrs sense. I believe the official users guide says adjust it down until there is a noticeable drop in the volume, which would be -3dB. Programmatically, that seems doable but the challenge would be programmatically knowing when the slice was sitting on noise vs a weak signal.

Dan -- KC4GO

@Walt, At one time I had produce such a video, but it appears that FlexMeter 1.0.0.5 no longer displays AGC or NR/ANF levels even though it did when the video was made. I'm sure there has been some change in the API that has made the connection not work. The FlexMeter was written by Denley Barnette but can't find a newer version.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5gpcTVs7PtoN0NYVkNYSm43eFU/view?usp=sharing

Walt - KZ1F

Oh...my bad. Apologies Dan for not giving credit where credit was due.

Dan -- KC4GO

Didn't want poor Lee saddled with any goofy thing I may have put out there and Lee may have put something out as well.  73's all

Jay Nation

Dan
For once, The Community search function, functions.
searching on Flexmeter 1.1.0.1, the first result is ...

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/flexmeter-file

Half way thru that thread, Howard KY6LA posted.

I posted a copy in my

Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/s/igsnaxr91y8...

I downloaded it and checked the version and it is indeed, Flexmeter v1.1.0.1 .

Around the same time that Howard added it to his Dropbox, I placed it on SDRgadgets at ...

http://www.sdrgadgets.com/downloads/FlexMeter-1.1.0.1.zip

Which avoids Dropbox's added promotional attempts.
 
I know I mentioned that fact here in the Community at the time, but the Community search functions seems to have failed to notice it.
My packrat tendencies pay off sometimes!

 SDRgadgets

73, Jay - NO5J

Ken - NM9P

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/active-hang-agc

Jay Nation

Kevin

Spot on, if my memory serves.

 SDRgadgets

73, Jay - NO5J

Jay Nation

Dan 
Those meters are still there. See my reply to your post in ...
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/flexmeter-file?topic-reply-list%5Bsettings%5D%5Bfilter_by%5D=all&topic-reply-
list%5Bsettings%5D%5Breply_id%5D=17788188#reply_17788188

 SDRgadgets

73, Jay - NO5J

Bill - K7UOP

Tom,

There have recently been a couple of "Likes" to my request for AGC-T values in dBm in FlexLib for developers (from 3 years ago). Consequently I re-read this topic and wanted to add my comments on how I manually adjust AGC-T to reduce ringing in narrow filters.

It seems to me that as the bandwidth of the filter gets narrower, noise energy within that bandwidth starts sounding more and more like a single tone at the pitch setting. This is where the perceived  ringing comes from. So, you want to set the AGC-T to a low enough value to reduce the ringing due to noise but any added energy (the CW signal) will be heard.

I tune to a clear freq. and set the filter to the narrowest bandwidth I intend to use. I then move the AGC-T to it's highest setting (100) for max. noise and then reduce it until the "ringing" is barely present (actually, go below then back up to find the sweet spot). I then set the filter to a wider setting for easier tuning and listening. If I need the narrow bandwidth for weak signal or adjacent QRM the AGC-T is already in the ballpark.  You can hover the cursor over the AGC-T slider and use the mouse wheel to easily fine tune the setting. Since the noise is reduced, you can increase the audio level to better hear that weak signal.  BTW - I always have AGC response set to FAST for CW.

With the narrow filter you can hear deeper into the noise. By properly setting AGC-T you can take advantage of this without the fatigue of static or ringing.

Of course, as noted by others, AGC-T has to be re-adjusted when any other settings are made that effects the noise floor (different band, antenna, etc.).  It would be nice if this were automated.  I hope Flex can make it happen.

Sergey R5AU

Hi Bill! You approach absolutely equal how described AGC-T functionality , however the point is for different bandwidth will be different optimal AGC-T settings - to reach max performance with Gain/Noise/AGC reaction.

N8FNR

We really need this added to SSDR.

Jim K4JAF

Another great enhancement to the Flex and has been under consideration for several years now..  Love my Flex but improvements can make it better. 

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Kevin,
Definitely need to keep the manual option and also add the visual line at the same time.  The note and pic below is from the idea (referenced above) to add a pop up line whenever the Automated AGC-T slider value is changed and also when it is changed manually. 

Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
6700 & SSDR-W  V 2.4.9
Win10

Even when adjusting the AGC-T manually it would be very helpful for the lines to pop up and show you where you are setting the value.  Once you know the amount above the noise floor that you like it would be so easy to keep it there as conditions change, even manually.  

Al_NN4ZZ

This visible AGC-T display was mentioned earlier in the thread but it's another good idea to add to this feature to automate it.  And the display can be used for manual mode as well.  The display can fade or be always visible.  Here is a snapshot showing the display.

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Al_NN4ZZ

2020 wish list -- other than fixing some of the bugs I would sure like to see this automated AGC-T enhancement added as an option in 2020.  

When jumping around bands, and changing antennas it would save a lot of time not having to tweak the AGC-T.  This adjustment is important but often overlooked and just adding the visual indication would be a big help as well.  

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Bill -VA3WTB

Being as one of the most powerful tools in SSDR I agree that auto AGC-T would be nice as long as it can also be worked in manual as well. What I do is forget about the so called knee setting and just adjust it to were the receiver works best and gives me a quiet receive. This is usually below the knee setting for best operation. I will often slowly adjust it with the mouse wheel while in a conversation. I would think that the auto AGC-t may set it were I don't like it.

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Bill,
Yes, as shown in the mockup above the automation is an option that can be turned on or off.  With the visual level indicator (also shown in the mockup) you can easily see whether the automation is being set where you would like it and where you would have set it manually.  And you will have the ability to set the amount of adjustment you prefer.    
I suspect the automation will work well but have to wait until we get the new feature to be sure.

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

HCampbell WB4IVF

I was a bit disappointed when AGC-T automation was not listed as a candidate in last year’s Flex customer survey.  At least one other SDR has a AGC-T setting visual indicator and I think it is a quite useful and time-saving feature. 

Howard