D-STAR Basic_RS

D-STAR ’07
Amateur Digital Mode
for the 21st Century
Introduction Forum:
Understanding what it is &
Getting Started
Ron Shaffer: W4VM
Alabama D-STAR
Introduction to D-STAR
Topics for this Session
• What is D-STAR ?
• What is appealing about it ?
(what it will do for me)
• How does it work ?
• What is the infrastructure progress (repeaters) ?
• Applications are a BIG DEAL – More Weekly
• How do I get involved / on the air ?
Something to keep in mind as we get started:
D-STAR is not necessarily what we expect
– Forget everything you think you know about repeaters.
– Forget everything you think you know about networking.
Existing knowledge will help, IF you can ignore
assumptions!
• What is D-STAR?
• A Protocol - Owned by Japanese Amateur Radio League
– Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio
– Open Protocol allows any manufacturer – ICOM has lead
– Goals
» Advancement of the “Radio Art”
» Spectrum Efficiency for the Future
» Migration to Data Applications integrated with Voice
» Seamless Integration with the Internet
• DV is Digital Voice with integrated low speed data
• DD is Digital Data (Ethernet) at Higher speeds
• What is DV Mode ?
• Digital (GMSK*) Modulation
– Significant departure from FM
– Implemented on 2 meters, 440 and 23 cm
– Advantages
» Digital voice overcomes mobile flutter (demo)
» Internet Linking with no loss in audio quality
» Integrated data stream overcomes “2 radio desense” of
APRS®
» Once radio is programmed, each remote destination is just
a memory channel flip away – easier when driving
– A Few things to get used to
» Drop out cliff is steep
» Digital audio is different from analog – a bit “compressed”
* Gausian Minimum Shift Keying
• What is DD Mode ?
• Wide Band Digital (QPSK*) Modulation for
Data.
– Wide Band (130 Khz) Signal for high speed (128 K) data
– Something New with exciting application potential !
» Implemented with ICOM’s ID-1 Radio
» Just Plug your Laptop into the Radio’s RJ-45 Connector
» Transparent Pipe to TCP-IP Connections
* Quaderature Phase Shift Keying
• Why is D-STAR interesting ?
– Spectral Efficiency
– Internet Linking capability
– Microwave Linking capability
Points to discuss …
• What will it do for me ?
– Simultaneous Voice and Data capability
• Low speed data on 2m & 70cm
• Allows for GPS and small file transfer without a second radio to
interfere (as with packet)
– High-Speed (128 K) Data capability
• 23cm – Web, files or e-mail from remote locations or mobile
Alabama Repeater Council
Is Taking Advantage of
Spectral Efficiency
• Why is D-STAR interesting?
– Spectral Efficiency
•
•
•
•
•
6.25 kHz emission for DV mode
10 kHz channel spacing for repeaters possible with separation
More efficient use of available bandwidth
Allows more channels in crowded spectrum
Improved performance in some areas compared to analog FM
• Why is D-STAR interesting?
– Simultaneous Voice and Data capability
• 2m, 70cm, 23cm Digital Voice Mode
• 4800bd Data Stream
– 2400bd Digital Voice
– 1200bd FEC on Digital voice (along with Call signs & short messages)
– 1200bd Serial Data (All available for user applications: DPRS, Text Query etc
D-STAR Site Equipment
How does it work ?
• D-STAR Call Sign Internet Routing
– Users have control via call sign (source) routing
• Program memory channels for each remote linking destinations
• Once Programmed, simply select a memory channel & Key up
• Eliminates the need to memorize Node numbers and dial them
while driving.
• Also eliminates the need to remember to disconnect.
– Auto reply modes available
• Allows you to return the last user or port call
– Data goes over the Internet along with voice
How does it work ?
D-STAR
Port Call
D-STAR
User Call
IRLP Node
Call
IRLP
Reflector
Call
Typical
Access
Method
User
Memory
Channel
User
Memory
Channel
4 DTMF
Digits
4 DTMF
Digits
Signal is
heard on /
by
Local and
remote node
– all users
Local and
remote node
– all users
Local and
remote node
All users on
connected
Nodes
Need to
know origin
to call back
May key up
May key up
Other Users Heard local,
remote if
programmed
Comparison to IRLP – for learning sake
Once you program a D-STAR radio, destinations are a memory channel flip away
• Who is interested? (US)
– Individuals, experimenters – cutting edge
– Clubs
– Served Agencies – emerging capabilities will ride on
applications
• Examples
– Races/Runs/Rides, Parades, Special Events
– Emergency Communications (GPS, flat files)
– FEMA Demo (Fred will cover in advanced forum)
What about
Infrastructure
Progress ?
Alabama Has the Whole
First Page of the ARRL
Repeater Directory for
D-STAR !
Alabama D-STAR
D-STAR Repeaters
are springing up in other
states too
• How will it be used?
– Regular use, like FM
• Data/Voice Simultaneously – solves de-sense issues
– Last Tactical mile Data (higher speeds) offers great
possibilities
– Internet Linking – both voice & data
– Emergency Communications
– New Applications
• Applications are the BIG DEAL
– Packet
» DX Clusters
» APRS
EmComm Applications
• Ends needless chatter
– Data rather than voice
– Immediate identification
• Callsign (on your screen for every transmission)
• GPS Coordinates
– Dispatch assets accurately
• Applications: More emerging all the time
– Hardware
• µSmartDigi™ D-Gate
– Software
•
•
•
•
D-STAR Monitor
D-STAR TNC , DPRS Interface, D-STAR Query
D-STARLet
D-STAR Chat
µSmartDigi™ D-Gate
• Black box translator
– D-PRS ® to APRS®
– APRS to D-PRS®
• Smooth RF integration of both systems
• Being Used in Dallas and Huntsville &
Others
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fits inside a TNC-X box
Converts D-STAR NMEA GPS
data to Base-91 compressed
APRS® Position Reports
Converts Symbol and Text
Data
Filters messages according to
a
rich set of user-configurable
rules
Operates without a dedicated
laptop or PC
µSmartDigi™ D-Gate
D-STAR Monitor
• Server based software package
– Drives www.dstarusers.org website
– K5TIT Creators
• Pete Loveall AE5PL
• Gerry Dalton W5MAY
• Lets you See who is on the air where
• Additional Stats for SYSOP
WWW.D-STARUSERS.ORG
D-STAR TNC
• An APRS® and D-STAR software bridge
– Java Based package
• www.aprs-is.net/dstartnc2.htm
• DSTARTNC2 is free for use by Amateur
Radio operators for Amateur Radio.
D-STAR Query, D-STAR Interface
• D-STAR Query allows a servelet to run
applications based on commands sent
over DV (Java based)
• D-STAR Interface Builds on D-STAR TNC
and D-STAR Query and adds a chat
capability (Windows based)
• Created by Pete Loveall AE5PL
D-STARLet
• A Web-based text messaging application
– Uses D-STAR Digital technology
• Dean Gibson, AE7Q
• www.dstarlet.com
Also, D-STAR Chat
Brian Rode: NJ6N
• How do we get started?
– Stop by the Booth and ask questions
– Check out the many online resources
– VHF, UHF & SHF radios currently available
• Mobiles ID-800, ID-1, IC-2200 and emerging ID2930
• Handhelds IC-91AD, IC-V82, ICU82
– Repeaters in many cities already …
Repeaters components available
•
•
•
•
•
ID-RP2000V for 2m voice and low-speed data
ID-RP4000V for 70cm voice and low-speed data
ID-RP2V for 23 cm voice and low-speed data
ID-RP2D for 23 cm high-speed data
ID-RP2C Controller (Required)
• Getting Started: Repeater Usage
– No Squelch Tails or courtesy beeps from Repeaters
– But you do get a Status Readback !
• Short Transmission from the Repeater about 1 Second after
unkeying
• RPT* or RPT? Usually means you did not go through
• UR* or UR? Usually means you did go through
– Interpret Status Readback in context
• Local Repeater RPT* - Try again, calls will load
• Gateway Ops RPT* – Check your routing calls RPT1 & RPT2
– Remote Repeater or local gateway could be down
– Remote Repeater could be busy
– We are still learning about status – feedback welcome!
Routing Examples
Type of
Call
URCALL
Usage
RPT-1 Call
Usage
RPT-2 Call Notes & Comments
Usage
Local
Call
CQCQCQ
KI4PPF C
KI4PPF C
or
NOTUSE
Local Call on 1 repeater
Port
Local
Cross
Band
CQCQCQ
KI4PPF C
KI4PPF B
Will Key Up both 2 Meter
and 440 Ports
Gateway
Port Call
/K5TIT B
KI4PPF C
KI4PPF G
Traverse Internet Gateway
and Bands
KI4PPF G
NOTUSE
Let Gateway SW Find
User –
..May be Multiple Ways
Specific N5MIJ
User Call
A Parting Thought on Coded Squelch
• A Thread on the ICOM Forum suggests
standardized usage of Digital Coded Squelch
• Why ? – Because interference causes falsing
• I endorse the idea – we can make a good start
• It’s easy: for example, on an ID-800, just press
your tone button 3 times = default code 00
• Everyone needs to do it – or use EMR mode
Online Discussion Forums
www.icomamerica.com/support/forums
www.K5TIT.Org/Forum
Other D-STAR Web Sites
www.AlabamaDSTAR.com
www.D-STARUsers.Org
www.D-STARlet.Com
www.aprs-is.net/dstartnc2.htm
Questions & Answers
Other Forums to follow .. Right here in this room
The Alabama D-STAR Project:
By ARRL AL Section Manager Greg Saratt: W4OZK
Alabama D-STAR
Advanced D-STAR Topics:
By Fred Varian WD5ERD
Texas Interconnect Team
Back-Up and Reference Material
Memory Structure & Routing (Draft)
MYCALL
M01
...
M06
Callsign
Memories
URCALL
U01
U02
...
U99
Front Panel
or Programming
Software
Analog & Digital
Digital Only – Call Routing
Freq+misc | MYCALL | URCALL | RPT1 | RPT2
ID Call
R01
R02
...
R54
Destination
Station or
Repeater
Departure
Port
Repeater
Port *
Routing
Repeater
Port *
RXCALL
RXRPT1
Front Panel
Only
RXRPT2
VFO / Scratch Pads
VFO Freq+misc | MYCALL | URCALL | RPT1 | RPT2
Main Memory
C Freq+misc | MYCALL | URCALL | RPT1 | RPT2
001 Freq+misc | MYCALL | URCALL | RPT1 | RPT2
…
500 Freq+misc | MYCALL | URCALL | RPT1 | RPT2
• All Calls Source Routed
• Programming Software
Helpful (bypass scratchpads)
• Multiple ways to do the
same thing
User Radios Offer More Control than Repeater Controllers !
* Primary Usage
Navigating the ID-800 Panel (Draft)
VFO Mode
SET-M
SET-H
SET-M
SET
Calls
SET-M
RCW
Rotate
S.MW-M
S.MW-H
Next Chart
SET-M
GPS
Message
ON
OFF
-M Momentary Push
-H Push/ HOLD > 1S
Rotate
BAND-M
BAND-H
S.MW-M
ON
OFF
Exit
(tone)
Rotate
Key to Usage in Menu Modes
SET-M SET/LOCK Button: M- Enter, Scroll right / H - Pull *
S.MW-M S.MW/MW Button: M- back?, Scroll left / H - Push *
BAND-M BAND/MODE Button: M- Enter?, Scroll right / H – PGM start/end *
Navigating the ID-800 Panel
VFO Mode
SET-M
SET-H
SET-M
SET
Calls
Message
SET-M
MYCALL m01
SET-M
URCALL
S.MW-M
u01
Rotate
SET-H
m02
u02
S.MW-M
S.MW-H
select
Rotate
SET-H
-M Momentary Push
-H Push/ HOLD > 1S
BAND-M
BAND-H
Pull to scratch
u-- scratch
S.MW-H
Rotate
BAND-H
Push to Calls
Key to Usage in Menu Modes
SET-M SET/LOCK Button: M- Enter, Scroll right / H - Pull *
Exit
(tone)
Start Program
BAND-H
End Program
S.MW-M S.MW/MW Button: M- back?, Scroll left / H - Push *
BAND-M BAND/MODE Button: M- Enter?, Scroll right / H – PGM start/end *