PC-ALE/MARS-ALE Dynamic Link Library-RADIO (DLL-RADIO) Framework enhancement

N2CKH

Hello All,

I am inviting anyone interested to join the DLL-RADIO framework enhancement conversation in support of both HAM radio and MARS users of FLEX6000 transceivers.

The DLL-RADIO framework is a generic framework of common radio requirements for the development of a radio control driver in support of 2G ALE operation.

Although at last count the internal PC-ALE/MARS-ALE radio control library supported over 200 radios, 143 models of transceivers from 19 manufacturers and 75 receivers from 15 manufacturers. However not having hands on with more than a few make/models of radios and new ones always coming along, I decided it would be best for the user community with the specific make/model radio in hand to create their own driver.

Thus DLL-RADIO provides the user community the ability to write a radio control driver for PC-ALE. It was released in 2014. It requires actual coding and compiling to a Windows .DLL which challenged must PC-ALE users. So I followed it up with MMI-RADIO where users could create a simple ASCII file based driver that was more popular.

However the time has come to enhance and integrate DLL-RADIO into MARS-ALE (and update PC-ALE accordingly) and provide Linux DLL-RADIO (.so file) support. The Linux need is in support of new portable black box ALE modem/controller server development targeting Raspberry Pi SBC's and TI ARM/DSP SoC's to start, where DLL-RADIO shall be the only means of providing a radio control driver.

I had the forethought to add TCP/IP support to the initial DLL-RADIO framework, but never implemented a dedicated radio TCP/IP port in PC-ALE. That TCP/IP, UDP aspect of the DLL-RADIO frame work is being enhanced where I am using the FLEX6000 requirements as the basis, assuming new framework may also future HF-SDR products from other manufactures considering the excellent groundwork FlexRadio has developed in adopting VITA-49. Coming from the DoD software/firmware environment I always embrace the use of Military Standards or industry standards developed to support the DoD.

I have been studying the SmartSDR API documentation and discussing the FLEX6000 series with a few MARS owners. However I do not own a FLEX6000 transceiver. I the effort would best benefit from those interested in the subject, having SmartSDR API development experience joining the conversation. 

Amateur and MARS members can join:

https://groups.io/g/PC-ALE-DLL-RADIO

MARS members only can join:

https://groups.io/g/MARS-ALE-DLL-RADIO

Thanks in advance for your interest and support.

Sincerely,.

/s/ Steve, N2CKH
support@marsale.org