ModeSDeco2 and ModeSMixer2 - console programs for RTLSDR and transcoding

[Saudistu]

Forgive my ignorance. Is there an idiots guide to using this with Basestation ? When I run the ModeSDeco2 I am unable to type anything in the command line for some reason. Any help appreciated...

[sergsero]

Hello Saudistu,

What operating system are you using?

If it's windows, then in the program's archive is the *.bat file.

1. Rename it as you wish and open it for editing in a simple text editor. Inside its content is:

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@echo off
cmd /c  modesdeco2.exe --device-index 0 --gain 48.0 --freq-correction 64 --sbs10001 10001 --location 43.25:39.33 --filter-nocountry --rbs
PAUSE
exit
Options specified on the command line and are separated by spaces. For direct connection with BaseStation use the following options:
--device-index 0 - Select RTL device (default: 0) - the option can be omitted if you are using a single device?
--gain 48.0 - Set gain in Receiver, dB (default: Auto) - specify the optimum level for your conditions of the radio broadcast depends on the efficiency of the antenna and the availability of out-of-band interference. 49.6 for R820T or 42.0 for E4000.
--freq-correction 64 - Set frequency correction, ppm (default: 0) -     specify the value for your specific instance of dongle.
--sbs10001 10001 - Enable SBS-1/3 output listen port (default: off) - the port number, leave 10001 if you have not changed it in the BaseStation, which in her 10001 default.
--location 43.25:39.33 - Receiver's location Lat:Lon - set your Lat:Lon.
--rbs - Enable RBS decoding - use this if you really need to simultaneously receive and Mode A/C messages. Or skip it.

2. Save the changes in the file.
3. Create a desktop shortcut to this file.
4. Run it to launch the program.

For initial configuration, for example, to find the optimal gain, run the program from the command line in console. To do this, follow - click on the Start button (in Win7). Type cmd. A console window opens. Navigate to the directory where you unzipped the program's archive. And type there the string:
C:\>modesdeco2.exe --device-index 0 --gain 48.0 --freq-correction 64 --sbs10001 10001 --location 43.25:39.33 --filter-nocountry --rbs

If BaseStation is on the same computer, where modesdeco2 runs, then in BS settings, specify the IP as 127.0.0.1 and Port as 10001.
If your OS is Windows XP, then use the exe file with name *_xp.exe.
   
The full list of available options displayed by command: modesdeco2 --help.
Cancel the program by <Control-C>

Thanks,
sergsero

[Saudistu]

Hi Sergsero,

Thanks for your information. I will give it a go later today and report back....

Regds.....Stu

[Saudistu]

Hi Sergsero,

It works perfectly. Thanks for your help !!

Regds.....Stu

[sergsero]

New version modesmixer2 for OS X 10.10 Yosemite:

modesmixer2_osx_Yosemite_20141018.tgz
In this example modesmixer2 works with BEAST, that is connected to USB port of Mac:

[sergsero]

New version modesmixer2 for FreeBSD v.10 64 bit (in this version without USB/serial, only network options)

modesmixer2_amd64_FreeBSD_20141015.tgz

[IanH]

Do you have the capability to compile a version for the Marvell Kirkwood CPU?

This was used in a variety of low power devices : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SheevaPlug

I have two of the Seagate FreeAgent DockStar which seem to run dump1090 on Debian ok but I would like to try ModeSDeco2 to connect to BaseStation/GlobeS.

dump1090 provides instructions to compile source code so it gets the correct source code.

More info here:
http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/seagate/dockstar
http://www.marvell.com/embedded-processors/armada-300/assets/armada_310.pdf

I have tried the RPi version but it doesn't work - will not run so must be different code.


Edit: Or perhaps I just use Modesmixer on a PC to convert the dump1090 output?

[sergsero]

Hello IanH,

Please, test these packages for your Marvell Kirkwood CPU:

modesmixer_20141010-1_kirkwood.tar.gz https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79709204/MM2/modesmixer_20141010-1_kirkwood.tar.gz

modesdeco_20141009-1_kirkwood.tar.gz https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79709204/MD2/modesdeco_20141009-1_kirkwood.tar.gz

The modesdeco archive also includes new versions of library files: libusb-1.0_1.0.19-1_kirkwood.ipk and librtlsdr_0.5.3_kirkwood.ipk,  that I made from the last version.

Unfortunately, I do not have this device, so they have not been tested in real work. However, I hope that they will be healthy for your device.
It is also necessary to monitor the CPU utilization for modesdeco, because that is possible that computing power of Marvell Kirkwood will not be enough.

Thanks,
sergsero

[sergsero]

It is important the new versions of library files: libusb-1.0_1.0.19-1_kirkwood.ipk and librtlsdr_0.5.3_kirkwood.ipk to install in the first place.

[sergsero]

New version of ModeSDeco2 v.20141114

+ use new version of Boost C++ libs
+ use new algorithm of calculation that allows to more accurately determine the value of threshold level, that, under certain conditions, may to few increase the number of received messages
+ improvements and changes in code


In the archive is also a debian package libusb-1.0-0_1.0.19-1_armhf.deb with new version 1.0.19 of library libusb-1.0-0.  In the moment a repository of packages for Raspbian still installs the outdated (~2 years ago) version 1.0.11. I compiled it to replace the current version, if the program will not work correctly, because it uses the new features of the latest version 1.0.19 of the libusb library.

For installation new version you should run the command:

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sudo dpkg -i libusb-1.0-0_1.0.19-1_armhf.deb

I would be very grateful for your feedback and issues found.

/sergsero

[IanH]

Sorry, not had chance to try the Kirkwood files yet. Too many other things going on.

[Keef]

Hi sergsero,

I just wanted to express my thanks for your continued development of this useful and versatile software.

I really appreciate the effort you have put in to developing it.

Thanks again,

Keef.

[LX-LGN]

Hi sergsero,

Will Modedeco feed into  adsbScope?

[sergsero]

Hi LX-LGN,

This is not a problem.

1. Start ModeSDeco2 from *.bat file, as:

Code Select Expand

@echo off
cmd /c  modesdeco2.exe --device-index 0 --gain 49.6 --freq-correction 67 --beast 31001
PAUSE
exit
Use the gain value and the freq-correction in ppm for your conditions and dongle.

2. Next connect ADSBScope to the ModeSDeco2. Start by choosing other > Network > Network Setup from the menus.
A dialog box will open that shows some fields for port numbers for different purposes. Ignore those for now and concentrate on the buttons in the area for RAW-data-client at the bottom. There are four buttons, labeled adsbScope, BEAST, RTL1090 and ADSB#. You'll be using ModeSDeco2 to decode your data into BEAST output format, so click the BEAST button.

3. Notice how the port number changes depending on which button you press. For BEAST it changes to 31001.

4. Click local to ensure the IP address reads 127.0.0.1. This assumes you are running your ModeSDeco2 and ADSBScope on the same computer. If you are using two computers, then you'll need to change the ip address in the URL field to match the ip address of the computer on your network that is running the ModeSDeco2. Once you have the right configuration setup, click Close.

5. If you want ADSBScope to remember all of this information (your location and your network setup), the choose File > save default.

6. Start Plotting with this minimum setup needed to make ADSBScope work, you need to enable the connection to the decoder software. You can do this in one of two ways. Either select other > Network > RAW-data Client active, or click the third icon beneath the Navigation menu (the icon looks like a series of connected computers).

7. If you've done everything correctly up to this point, you should see something like this:

[sergsero]

In the first message of this thread is new version of ModeSDeco2 v.20141121

+ used new version of Boost C++ libraries
+ changed the determining algorithm of a stationary background noise level and noise spikes, which in some conditions can give an increase the number of received messages up to 8-10%
+ improvements and changes in code