AcarsDeco2 Development

[Radio2.0]

How i can recive all ACARS Messages?
I know there is ACARSD but it dont work so good.
Planeplotter work perfect but there is no way to revice more than one Audio Channel.
Does i need for every Audio Channel one DVB-T Dongel?
THX

[IanH]

If you are using SDR# for receiving audio, there are addins that scan a range of frequencies. You might miss some transmissions but better than 1 dongle per audio channel.

Ian

[Radio2.0]

I try it but the huge problem is when Squelch is Activate the first micro sec. are missing and the data are corrupt.
Or when i deactivate it then it turns mute on and that is not fast enough...

How about BorIP i hear this can splitt the Baseband?

I want to use 5 different Antenne to get 10 different Freqeny i cant buy 50 Dongel...

[weird_joe]

I am having the same problem, would like to decode 3 ACARS audio channels from 3 receivers, via a ultra low noise preamp and a splitter on one bicone antenna (double discone), but Plane Plotter can only handle one audio channel.
Now I am thinking of trying the free and old ACARSD (http://www.acarsd.org/) via my server, which has a few sound cards hooked up, but I am not sure if I can run the app as a service using a local port that may be assigned to a local console session in my Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V.
E.g. using any live streaming software with its input coming from sound card within a user session, it gets instantly disconnected from the card once switching the session to RDP access. I wonder if there is a workaround for that. I guess I have to learn how local audio resources are being managed by the OS.
Then again I'd be happy to have all the decoded ACARS data also within Plane Plotter ... I guess I can't have it all.

Anyway you don't need plenty of antennas to listen to different frequencies unless they are frequency wise very far apart or you need antennas in different directions for specific areas. But just for omnidirectional reception one antenna with a ultra low noise preamp and a cheapy 75Ohm TV cable splitter does perfectly well. If the pre-amp is really good, you will actually have a better signal on each RX as if you connect the antenna directly to it!!! Because the total noise figure of a system is being defined on its front end, which most DVB-T dongles or traditional scanner receivers are around 3-4 dB if you are lucky, while you can build or buy an inexpensive preamp with well below 1dB noise figure up into the ADS-B frequency band. Look for ready made preamps or kits that use the PGA-103+ MMIC by Mini Circuits, these are outstanding.

I have also had bad experience with squelched ACARS signals, even with SDR#, which could theoretically have a perfectly timed squelch, since the signals are being delivered to the audio interface with a delay of the decoding algorithm, which could be used to open it directly when detected, then reaching the output few milliseconds later could make it ideal, but sadly that is not the way it is being implemented. I always leave the RX open on my hardware receivers as well, so nothing can get chopped off. Doing so gives me the opportunity to decode even weak signals from planes that are over 200nm away, just making it over the horizon.

One other thing, does anyone know if there are VDL1/2/4 decoders available that are payable on a hobby budget, lets say under 200$?
I'd love to see the content of these massive signals on 136.975 and the other 136 MHz VDL channels.
So far I could not locate anything on the web, though it might be possible to be decoded via sound card and some very specific piece of software!
I wish I would be a really good programmer :-(.

Joe

[Triple7]

Joe,

For VDL2 decoding, you may like to take a look at multipsk:

http://f6cte.free.fr/MULTIPSK_TEST_05_01_2014.ZIP

I think it runs for 5 mins without registering but costs around €30 for the package.

The interface is pretty brutal and the learning curve looks steep, I am just staring with this and a dongle but it's hard going - for me anyway. I'd also suggest you join the yahoo group 'multipsk' as there are some really helpful guys on there.

Good luck, if you crack it, a set of screen grabs showing set up would be most welcome!

Thanks,

Tim

[Chris-G0WTZ]

The new SDR Puck will monitor and decode up to 6 ACARS channels

This video shows setting up an SDR Puck with an SBS 1 but it will work as a standalone receiver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7cSPc0YCB4&list=UUtZqL1b7xQ_J8njJqfU3diA&feature=c4-overview

Regards

[sergsero]

AcarSDeco2 v.20180603



AcarSDeco2 is a multi-channels ACARS decoder.
It supports direct input from a RTL2832U dongle in order to decode up to 4 channels simultaneously (within a ~1MHz band segment) or input/output data from network sources.

Code Select Expand

./acarsdeco2 --db /home/pi/data/basestation.sqb --frdb /home/pi/data/flightroute.sqb --pictures /home/pi/data/pictures --banners /home/pi/data/logos --silhouettes /home/pi/data/silhouettes --vrs-url http://192.168.1.10:80 --outServer sbs:30008 --outServer ad2:31008 --outConnectUdp pp:192.168.64.118:9742 --inConnect ad2:192.168.64.182:30008 --gain 38.6 --freq-correction 62 --freq 131550000 --freq 131725000 --http-port 8090

--gain 38.6 - setting gain for receiver R820T. Determine the optimal value for your receiving conditions once, for example, in SDRSharp,
--freq-correction 62 - correction of dongle internal oscillator. This is absolutely critical accurate adjustment for multi-channel receiver,
--freq 131550000 --freq 131725000 - frequency of ACARS channel (up to 4),
--http-port 8090 - set the port number for HTTP server. Default 8080,
--vrs-url http://192.168.1.10 - network address of VirtualRadarServer for getting aircraft pictures in the WEB window,
--outConnectUdp pp:192.168.64.118:9742 - set UDP client for transmitting ACARS data to PlanePlotter,
--outServer sbs:30008 - set TCP server for transmit data in Kinetic SBS-3 ACARS format on port 30008.

Code Select Expand

./acarsdeco2 --help
AcarSDeco2 v.20180603
Program options:
  -h [ --help ]         This help message
  --device-list         List available SDR devices
  --device-index arg    Select SDR device (default: 0)
  --device-serial arg   Select SDR device by serial number
  --gain arg            Set preamp gain of receiver, dB (default: auto)
  --freq-correction arg Set oscillator frequency correction, ppm (default: 0)
  --agc                 Enable automatic gain control in SDR chip (default:
                        off)
  --freq arg            Set receiver frequency, Hz
                        Specify option --freq multiple times to multiple
                        channels (Example: --freq XX --freq YY ...)
  --inConnect arg       Input connector. Format: (sbs|ad2):host:port
  --inConnectId arg     Named input connector. Format: (sbs|ad2):host:port:ID
  --inServer arg        Input server. Format: (sbs|ad2):port
  --inServerId arg      Named input server. Format: (sbs|ad2):port:ID
  --inServerUdp arg     Input UDP server. Format: (sbs|ad2):port
  --outServer arg       Output server. Format: (sbs|ad2|pp):port
  --outConnect arg      Output connector. Format (sbs|ad2|pp):host:port
  --outConnectUdp arg   Output UDP connector. Format: (sbs|ad2|pp):host:port
  --http-port arg       Set port for http server (default: 8080)
  --vrs-url arg         Set VirtualRadarServer url for additional aircraft data
                        Example: http://example.com (default: off)
  --pictures-url arg    Set aircraft pictures collection url
                        Example: http://site.com/path/to/ (default: off)
  --pictures arg        Set aircraft pictures collection local path
                        Example: http://site.com/path/to/ (default: off)
  --no-uplink           Don't display uplink messages (default: on)
  --no-sq               Don't display messages with SQ label (default: on)
  --no-empty            Don't display empty messages (default: on)
  --logfile arg         Set log filename (default: off)
  --frdb arg            Set path to flightroutes database file
  --db arg              Set path to basestation database file
  --silhouettes arg     Set path to directory of aircrafts' silhouettes
  --banners arg         Set path to directory of operators' logos
  --no-console          Disable logging on console (default: on)


Intel x86 Windows 7/8.1/10: acarsdeco2_windows_20180603.zip https://drive.google.com/open?id=1law3IL_LtILLjN8B0lnSM5IwWZ_t6EJg


Raspberry Pi 2/3 Raspbian GNU/Linux 9.0 (Stretch): acarsdeco2_rpi2-3_deb9_20180603.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q5HdR3lYoPLVTm4m4dj_o-7lRCLm3tbZ
Raspberry Pi 2/3 Raspbian GNU/Linux 8.0 (Jessie): acarsdeco2_rpi2-3_20170914.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7NYXizl0U6iS3BRT0NRWDl1UXc

Orange Pi PC 2 H5 64-bit Debian 9.0 (Stretch): acarsdeco2_aarch64_orange-pi-pc2_deb9_20180603.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DVnB9imzTe7l4oba66bxOaIclf_Hy2iv (Linux 4.14.18-sunxi64 #26 SMP Fri Feb 9 17:14:48 CET 2018 aarch64 GNU/Linux)


Ubuntu 18.04 Intel 64 bit: acarsdeco2_x86_64_20180603.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IpS47KyHxlYiaqtFyVq0U6xAuDa3h5_S
Ubuntu 16.04 Intel 64 bit: acarsdeco2_x86_64_20170914.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7NYXizl0U6iSXNkUGZhNFA5eTQ


macOS High Sierra: acarsdeco2_osx_20180603.tgz  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-3gyWzUz-QIR6cGlyEwox2C9k8FD3D92 (Darwin Kernel Version 17.5.0: Fri Apr 13 19:32:32 PDT 2018; root:xnu-4570.51.2~1/RELEASE_X86_64)
macOS El Capitan:  acarsdeco2_osx_20170914.tgz https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7NYXizl0U6iQVVRaDhEbXpNMkE (Darwin Kernel Version 15.6.0)

In the sub-folder "datasets" are the files that can be edited, if the information is outdated. Data should be separated by commas. Each data string must start on a new line with keeping the original format.

[sergsero]

One-time calibration of RTL dongle oscillator for AcarsDeco2

To successfully receiving ACARS signals by RTL dongle, in addition to using the proper antenna-feeder device, need to determine the true value of error correction of dongle oscillator in PPM.
RTL2832 tuner has oscillator error is 30...90 PPM, relatively stable once warmed up, and stable from day to day for a given dongle. Perform a one-time calibration of dongle oscillator is usually not difficult. This can be done in the program SDR#.

The signals may not appear exactly on, for example, 131550 kHz or 131725 kHz labels of tuning scale, since of error dongle oscillator. Move the red vertical line at the top of the FFT screen so that it was several left or right of the vertical axis of the window to avoid the effect of central peak near DC component.
At the top, at the dial scale set one of ACARS frequency, for example, 131.725.000.

To do calibration in SDR# desirable with parameters that are close to real, when acarsdeco2 will running. Set the receive mode to AM, bandwidth to 10.0 kHz. So, click on "Configure" and set the "Sample Rate" in 1.4 MSPS. Click "Play" to start it. Adjust slider bar "RF Gain" until you get good reception of the ACARS signals.
ACARS signals look like small horizontal multicolored lines on the waterfall and if you are listening to its through your speakers, they will just sound like blips of noise.

When you zoom its (Use "Zoom" knob to) becomes clearly visible the structure of the amplitude-modulated signal of two symmetrical sides (LSB/USB) and the carrier frequency in the center.
The optimal RF gain such that the signal is strong, but the noise floor is low.

Then start clicking the up/down arrows next to "Frequency correction (ppm)" until the actual signal lines up so that the red line is right in the middle of the line of the signal on signal-carrier frequency:



Once it lines up you should be good to go. Close the "Configure" screen, stop SDR# and cancel it.

[sergsero]

In the two message above of this thread (Reply #6) updated version of AcarsDeco2 to 20140729.

+ added by default the ability to take images of the aircrafts from the fixed local directory static/pictures. To do this, put your collection of images of aircrafts in the static/pictures directory. The image files must have the .jpg extension. If used the option --vrs-url <arg> in command line, then the ability to taking the images from local directory will disabled and they will be taken from the specified VRS.

+ added option --pictures-url <arg> for the ability to take images of the aircrafts from site, which can issue their by http requests

+ added option --no-empty for filtering messages without data, for example, Mode: 2 (50), Label: Q0 (ACARS link test)

+ added picture-plug for aircraft for which there is no image in the collection

+ changed filtering uplink messages from ground stations

Thanks,
sergsero

[Radio2.0]

mybe in a next version you can compare the data from 2 running .exe together into one?

[sergsero]

Hi Radio2.0,

if I understand you correctly, are you talking about the possibility of merging messages from multiple sources, receiving their data via network?
I'll think about it. However, soon I'll be on vacation and can something to try to do only in the next month.



By the way, in the #6 message of this thread updated version to 20140807.

+ added display of supplemental information and live data, extracted from ADS-B messages the same aircraft. If simultaneously with the ACARS this aircraft transmits ADS-B messages and they are received and processed by VRS, then specifying its URL, you can see some of this information in acarsdeco2 WEB server.

+ added by default the ability to take images of the aircrafts from the fixed local directory static/photos. To do this, put your collection of images of aircrafts in the static/photos directory. The image files must have the .jpg extension. If used the option --vrs-url <arg> in command line, then the ability to taking the images from local directory will disabled and they will be taken from the specified VRS.



I will be grateful to all for its testing.

Thanks,
sergsero

[sergsero]

 In the #6 message of this thread updated version AcarsDeco2 to 20140905.

+ modified algorithm for determining multiple instances of RTL devices with different serial numbers, that are simultaneously connected to the computer
+ fixed message format for data transfer over UDP protocol in accordance with the requirements of PlanePlotter. Thank you Bev for clarification of program requirements
+ added option --device-serial <arg> for identify the instance of the dongle via the serial number
+ removed software limitations on the number of simultaneously receiving channels. Now their number is limited computing power of the computer. The spacing between the channels with the minimum and maximum frequency is up to 0.73 MHz
+ changed length of the border lines between messages to 80 characters

Now if program was run with the option --device-list, it's allows you to determine the connected devices with their serial numbers:


To run multiple copies acarsdeco2 with different dongles, you need to specify the it unique serial id number in the option --serial-number for each program:


If some dongles (s/n 15) already in the works, this will be indicated:


When you try to run the program with dongle, which is already used (s/n 15), you will receive the following message:

[maximus_mike]

Hi Sergsero,

I have been using your Modesdeco2 for some time now, and just found your Acarsdeco2 and must just thank you for this great decoder. It seems to work better than any of my other ACARS decoders, ACARSD, MultiPSK, SBS3 ACARS module and the Winradio ACARS decoder. Of these, the Winradio decoder always gave the most decodes, however your new Acarsdeco2 now gives more decodes than any of the others.

I have also discovered that as you included the ability to output the data in SBS3 ACARS format via port 30008, it is also compatible with the SBS3 ACARS module in my Display-Launcher suite of freeware programs as under.

http://www.rstools.info/Public/acarsdisplay.jpg

Mike

[Anmer]

I have also discovered that as you included the ability to output the data in SBS3 ACARS format via port 30008, it is also compatible with the SBS3 ACARS module in my Display-Launcher suite of freeware programs as under.

Mike

I don't mind members posting messages with links to their software utilities.  However, are they still including a banner advert for the Radarspotters Forum?

[Sun Worshipper]

However, are the still including a banner advert for the Radarspotters Forum?

Stone them, I say!