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Rumors about SmartSDR version 4.2.x

Trucker
Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭
in SmartSDR for Windows

Let's crank up the rumor mill for the next version of SmartSDR version 4.2.x.

What possible goodies can we expect or,hope for?

1. A nice full HF view showing all the HF bands at once. That way, with a multi-band antenna attached, one can see, in real time, what bands are active. Then, just click on the HF band you are interested in, and SmartSDR instantly switches to that band along with all of your previous settings for that band. Make the wide band display detachable so, if you have a second monitor connected to your computer, you can move the wideband display over to it. No need to sacrifice screen real-estate if you have a second monitor connected.

2. Maybe, the much missed sliders and other adjustments for the DSP functions.

3. In SmartSDR on Windows, add the ability to customize the background of the Spectrum display with a live feed showing the Gray Line like Darren has done in PowerSDR for the legacy radios. It would be nice to include the sun and moon tracking as well as tracking of the ISS with information on where to point your antenna ( azimuth and elevation) using your latitude and longitude information. This would be a neat feature for those of us who use transverters for VHF and UHF that wants to access the International Space Station repeater.

Those are a few ideas that have popped into my mind.

What about you??

James

WD5GWY

Comments

  • Ha Gei
    Ha Gei Member ✭✭✭

    Who still needs smartsdr updates.. look for aethersdr

    Years ahead and free and for linux & mac too.. Still in development but usable 100%

    If you want a feature..request and see it coming up in days…

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Who needs SmartSDR updates? I and many others do, that's who! Other than the added in noise reduction features from other open source projects that have been around a long time, AetherSDR is simply another interface for the Flex radios. And if you are paying attention, it is the same, basic interface as SmartSDR. It doesn't make the radio work any differently. The added Noise Reduction features are available to anyone who can code an interface and decode the audio coming from the radio. AetherSDR is a great application. But, I would not count on it being around in the long run. Enjoy it while the developers have interest in it. Once they get tired of dealing with users needs or just simply get bored with it, then development of AetherSDR will stop. It has happened with other open source projects and will likely happen with this one.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • johnn1jm
    johnn1jm Member ✭✭✭

    What about firmware updates?

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    AetherSDR cannot do actual firmware updates to the radios. It can update itself. Actually it can check for updates to AetherSDR and you still have to manually download and install the new version. I like AetherSDR as much as anyone else. But, I also know that it can go away at any time.

    I count on SmartSDR being there for the long haul. AetherSDR is simply another interface with some extras that can add latency between actually receiving a signal and hearing it. Plus, SmartSDR will run easily on an inexpensive pc using older processors. AetherSDR depends on fast processors with several cores and a good gpu to help with the processing load. I monitor the processor usage in Linux and Windows. AetherSDR uses much more resources than SmartSDR. It has to have the faster multi-core processors to keep from bogging down the application and causing it to crash. Especially if you are using the two latest noise reduction features.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭
    edited April 16

    I think there is a good argument that new PCs with significantly faster CPUs and GPUs fundamentally changes the Server / Client equation. Client side software can now be thicker. So why not take advantage of that and add more client side features? The original motivation behind Flex SSDR thin client was to keep network traffic low to enable low latency communication between server and client. That has been achieved and won't change. Exceptional Remote Operation by minimizing data traffic. Perfect. Now, fast forward and we see that the advances in client side processing can make an added contribution in incorporating functions that require heavier processing (name your desired client side feature here). It is now like the best of both worlds. Critical Radio server side algorithms executed on server and all the rest on the client - all with low network data transfer. Good balance. This is why AetherSDR, as an example, can (or soon will) execute rather complex NR algorithms at acceptable speeds by fully outsourcing the processing to multiple GPUs. And this is why SmartSDR for Mac has added more client features. We have entered a New Era, imo. de WA1QZX

  • Duane N9DG
    Duane N9DG Member ✭✭

    "I think there is a good argument that new PCs with significantly faster CPUs and GPUs fundamentally changes the Server / Client equation. Client side software can now be thicker. So why not take advantage of that and add more client side features?"

    100% this.

    It has always puzzled me why so many folks can only think in terms of thin client OR thick client, and that they somehow must be mutually exclusive. This is SDR after all, that term itself states nothing about where the "S" in SDR must be run.

    In-radio hardware box processing provides more factory control over things like latency etc. And it simplifies the factory support effort, all good things, - but it comes with downsides, the key one being that the in-radio processing horsepower is forever set at manufacture time, and in time it's limits will be reached - guaranteed. See the feature differentiation in SmartSDR 4.x between the 6K's and 8K's/Aurora hardware for example.

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    "…but it comes with downsides, the key one being that the in-radio processing horsepower is forever set at manufacture time, and in time it's limits will be reached - guaranteed."

    100% this.

    And on the Client side you can upgrade with large processing power leaps for short money. Network data traffic stays the same - LOW. Radio Server is Controlled. Win, Win, Win.

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Dan, well stated! On reasonably good/fast hardware a balanced mix of client side processing and server side processing ( the radio) is a reasonable approach to keeping latency down enough that it has little effect on operation of the radio. It is nice to have choices like this for our Flex radios. Especially for those of us who have the 6000 radios. Even having to purchase a newer,better spec'ed computer is cheaper than purchasing a new 8000 radio to get better hardware to handle new features.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    Thanks James!

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