[hpsdr] HPSDR software direction

[Chris Albertson]

I'm a software engineer by trade.  I've worked on numerous radar projects
and now rocket telemetry.  All of these really are what we call "SDR" .  I
remeber putting I and Q data into a computer back in 1978.  Despite a long
time interest in this subject, I stayed away from much amature SDR because
of it's Windows-centric nature.  If I'm going to work for free the effort
will into GPL'd software.   Open Source is poitless if it required a
propritary tool chain and runs only on a not-open operating system.   It's
OK and even a good thing if the software we write runs on Windows and can be
built on MS compilers but it should not require MS Windows and tools.

Fortunetly there are SDR projets that are open source and use open source
tools.  GNU Radio is a good example.    Notice that it's in the GNU Radio
world where true advances in ham sdr are happening.  There we see people
decoding HDTV and GPS satilite signals and working on new spread sprectrum
digital modes.  Why there?  The software is truely open and well designed
for experimentation.



On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 10:08 PM, Erich Heinzle <vk5hse at yahoo.com> wrote:

> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
>
> When I first read about SDR back around 2004, I got all excited and bought
> an SDR-1000, and I was particularly intersted in the open source nature of
> the software being used to run it.
>
> I was soon appalled by the Windows centric development, and M$ toolchain
> required for this supposedly open source software that "anyone could
> contribute to".
>
> I have been running linux at home since 1997. Now, even android phones run
> linux, my WD USB/media centre runs linux, even my Sony TV and my generic DVD
> player run versions of embedded linux and Busybox, and even PVRs and network
> attached storage devices run linux:
>
> http://ahsoftware.de/dockstar/#dockstar
>
> Linux is now ubiquitous, and embedded microcontroller boards are using it
> routinely.
>
> I have been following the Gnuradio/USRP project with interest precisely
> because it is open source. Mental note, I must learn Python sometime.
>
> I think we should embrace the open source GNU model, which would allow zero
> cost development tools to be used, and enhanced platform portability given
> the number of devices available that can compile and run GNU/Linux.
> Wouldn't it be cool to compile HPSDR software to run on a hacked dockstar or
> cheap PVR?
>
> Make the software GNU. Use GNU tool chains. Ditch C# (An MS response to
> Java and Apple's objective C). Make the software readibly useable under
> linux to facilitate embedded controller use. Perhaps leverage more of the
> GNU radio project's work.
>
> My 2c worth.
>
> Erich Heinzle
> VK5HSE
> soon to be proud owner of an HPSDR currently on it's way from Gerd.
>
>
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-- 
=====
Chris Albertson
Redondo Beach, California
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