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General Operations
Κrγρτο500 User Manual - General Operations
Table of Contents
1.10. Scanning................................................................................................................................................. 29
1.10.1. Control .................................................................................................................................................29
1.10.2. Receiver tune time. ..............................................................................................................................30
1.10.3. Scan file (.chn)......................................................................................................................................31
The permanent window is the Main Control Panel. Its dimensions are decided by
the individual user. The remaining screen space is available for loading decoding
modules as required. In this example only one module is in use and there is
sufficient area to permit the individual FFT display to be enabled.
In this example the Main Control Panel remains as before. Three decoder modules
have been opened and resized into the available space. In order to conserve
screen space the individual FFT display in each decode module has been switched
out.
Menu Bar
Tuning marks are only visible provided a decoding module is active, and the one
which is currently in focus if more than one.
Four items are provided in the menu bar. These buttons also have associated
[ALT]+[First letter] shortcuts.
Section Section
1.8 1.9
Click for
Home Page
Version/Registration details.
1.4. Options
The user may select the soundcard API. The options are
DirectSound API (box checked) Preferred.
Windows WaveIn API (box unchecked)
Soundcard buffer. A smaller buffer means lower latency and smoother FFT
display. However it may cause problems on some hardware. For low latency
buffering be sure to use DirectSound and not the Windows (WaveIn) API.
There is provision for adjusting the Sample Rate. This is discussed in Section
1.4.1.1
An error will appear if one tries to Save a value outside valid limits.
Important: Once the user has become familiar with the layout and
basic operation of Κrγρτο500's GUI it is recommended that this value be
calibrated for the particular host computer. The procedure is discussed in
Section 1.12.
This is because the correct sample rate is the only factor which can be corrected for
complex modems (eg Mil.Std 188-110B, Stanag 4285, etc) where the center
frequency and speed are fixed.
The signal is only as good as the user receives it. However if the sample rate is not
correct the I/Q Constellation will not be stable so moves around, or is noisy even on
a signal with a good S/N ratio. These are the most obvious signs of problems.
Display format
(on Receiver
Control Panel)
Log format
Output Buffering Timeout. Text is buffered and is updated when this timer
expires. This helps to avoid too frequent updates of the output window (i.e.
outputting raw bits at 2400 bits/sec would normally mean repainting (refreshing)
output window at over 2000 times/sec.). Setting this value to 500 mS or higher
may help with the cpu load on slower computers when needed.
Receiver tune time. During scanning this sets a small period after the receiver
frequency is changed to allow the receiver to stabilize.
The FFT Window displays the signal - Strength v Frequency. There is a Show/Hide
toggle facility in the form of a small triangle.
When the mouse cursor is positioned within the grid a vertical frequency cursor
with blue background appears. At the same time CURSOR labelling appears
indicating the current frequency and the amplitude at that particular position.
The individual selection made is not indicated by a tick mark or black dot symbol
but by alteration of the window scales.
If the host PC mouse is equipped with a mouse wheel this may be used to zoom the
dB scale.
a. to change the dB range use the wheel when the cursor is over the dB scale,
b. clicking the dB scale at top/bottom changes the offset in 10dB steps.
If the mouse is equipped with a middle key one can drag the FFT display to pan it
without the need to zoom in/zoom out.
Note: some mice may have a "clickable" wheel integrating both middle key and
wheel functions.
1.5.3.5. Averaging
The FFT block is a time series unit containing the sampled data
and to which computation is applied.
This overlap in multiple processing of the data (eg 4x) will result in an increase in
the time resolution by the same factor. However this requires higher computation
processing and an apparent sluggishness in the resultant trace.
The FFT Waterfall Window displays the signal - Strength v Frequency over time.
There is a Show/Hide toggle facility in the form of a small triangle.
Three enabling buttons are provided. The two images above show the effect with
an FSK signal.
Waterfall frequency and dynamic range is the same as that set for the Main Control
Panel . However it has its own Averaging setting.
1.6.2.1. Averaging
1.6.2.2. Palette
The Waterfall can employ a custom color palette loading a .pal file.
This is a simple .txt file with 256 lines each containing RGB values.
First line in file represents maximum signal level color.
Last line in file represents minimum signal level color.
This format is used by other applications.
This permits the user to easily load a preferred color scheme. Clicking the Load
palette file option above causes the Windows Open... dialogue to appear and the
user to select the required scheme.
burntPaper coldRainbow
default default-color
Missing
If Receiver control disabled is the selected receiver model in Options there will
be no Receiver Control Toolbar in the Main Control Panel.
Once a receiver has been selected the Receiver Control Toolbar will appear. If the
Main Control Panel has been set fairly narrow the Receiver Control Toolbar will wrap
as shown below.
The selected
receiver is shown
in the first
button.
The remote state (enabled/disabled) will be saved when the Main Control Panel is
closed. This permits the user to pre-set the state for the next opening of
Κrγρτο500
Frequency and Filter (bandwidth) - each digit can be changed by left-clicking with
mouse to increment, and right-clicking to decrement.
Mode and AGC options may be selected via drop menus. Modes available will be
restricted to those supported by the selected receiver.
Click Decoder in the Main Control Panel menu (alternatively use the [ALT]+[D]
keys) to open the Decoder Selector.
1. Keyboard keys.
[ENTER] key (or single mouse click) opens the decoder which has been selected.
2. Search facility.
The user can also search in the decoder list by typing in a keyword (case is
irrelevant).
The current keyword will appear in the area Type for fulltext search as
Search:keyword and the index list will update as appropriate.
Remember to clear the keyword with the [Backspace] key before entering another
keyword.
This is the central control panel for the global logging and recording functions
throughout Κrγρτο500.
The Manual button starts and stops recording of audio (.WAV) toggling between
Manual start and Manual stop.
MANUAL - IDLE
MANUAL - RECORDED xxs (when recording manually showing file length)
AUTOMATIC - IDLE
AUTOMATIC RECORDED xxs - TIMEOUT IN xxs
(when recording automatically showing file length)
Recordings directory: The [...] browse button is used to navigate to and select
the destination folder the user has created for saving recorded
.wav files.
A small table opens with a minimum of two entries (see image above):
Default for new decoders
Voice detection
Remaining decoders must be opened before they appear in the table.
Source: Indicates which decoders (in addition to the minimum two) are open.
Keep: If enabled ensures the system keeps recording while decoder remains
BUSY.
Minimum sources:
Default for new decoders. These are the user preferred settings which will be
applied to a new decoder (either new or one which
has not previously been opened).
Parameter retention:
All settings are saved on exiting this panel. Note also that the settings for
individual decoder modules are saved separately.
1.9.4. Files
This image shows a section of a typical Recordings Directory folder. In this case
recording has been carried out to separate files. Two files are recorded:
The filename is the same for both being given a date-time related format as
follows.
yyyyMMDD_hhmmss
1.10. Scanning
Scanning is guided by the contents of a suitable scan (.chn) file. Its format is
discussed in Section 1.10.3.
1.10.1. Control
File Load
Scan Run On initial opening Channel Count will be zero
and File Load enabled. Click File Load and
load required .chn file via Windows Load
dialogue
During scanning all events are ignored for the set time period (See Section 1.3 -
Menu|OPTIONS) after the receiver is tuned.
Soundcard buffer size is adjustable in the OPTIONS panel. The total delay is 2x
the selected buffer size (i.e. double buffering).
The default for Receiver tune time is 0 (no delay) but the value may be different
depending on the soundcard/receiver combination.
1.11.1. Overview
This procedure is to calibrate Κrγρτο500 against the specific soundcard it uses and
the environment in which it runs. This is required to overcome imprecision in
timing-sensitive modes. It should also be carried out whenever the hardware is
modified and which may alter the interrupt timing.
This procedure may be carried out against a weather FAX transmission but these
scanners may have slight integral timing errors depending on quality of
maintenance. It is much more prudent to utilise a time signal transmission eg
Colorado (WWV), Anthorn (MSF) etc. The following procedure is based on a time
signal. The pattern seen will depend on which time signal transmission is actually
used.
1.11.2. Procedure
Step 1
Open the OPTIONS panel and ensure Sample Rate Correction = 1.0000
Save and exit OPTIONS. Close and restart Κrγρτο500.
Step 2
Open the FAX decode module. Set Mode to AM. Set Zoom 50%. Resize to full
screen.
On opening the Clock Correction will be set at 1.0000000
With receiver in CW or USB mode tune to the time signal frequency such that the
time signal tone is aligned with the Center marker at 2400Hz.
A picture will develop. Look for a white/black transition line. Most likely this line
will slant.
The objective is to make this exactly vertical.
Step 3
Step 4
With the transition line now close to the left margin the optical illusion now assists
in determining whether the line is still slanting or parallel with the margin.
Continue adjusting the Clock correction value (and repositioning the line for
optimum gap) until both are parallel.
As one approaches the parallel condition it will take successively longer to assess
and smaller step values will be required. This may take some time to achieve but it
is a one-off exercise but patience is its own reward.
Step 5
When one is satisfied that the transition line is now parallel to the left margin (and
therefore vertical) make note of the final Clock Correction value. Close the FAX
module.
Return to the OPTIONS panel and insert the Clock Correction value into the
Sample rate correction box.
Final note.
Should the user wish to calibrate in more than one session the following action is
recommended.
Open OPTIONS panel. Note Sample rate correction value and change entry to
1.000.
Open FAX module and set Clock Correction to the noted Sample rate correction
value.
The first is on the ITA2 FSK module where the center frequency is variable. The
second is the Stanag 4285 module.
Parser controls
Decoding parameter controls
Parser selection tabs
Ancillary controls
Parser Toolbar
Other than the functioning of counters, decode parameter controls arising in specific
modules will be discussed as necessary in the appropriate section in Vol.2.
Note that if the width of a decode module is reduced or the number of components
many there comes a point where functions on the right-hand of toolbars are
wrapped to the row below.
2.3. Tuning
The module opens with parameters (Center, Shift and Speed) offset.
Adjust by using mouse wheel, or by clicking Left key to increment/clicking Right key
to decrement. The markers in the FFT Window will change accordingly.
Likewise adjust the Shift counter so that the markers align with the tones.
Note: When running decoders will correct for 10% of shift/tuning errors.
The tuning markers will re-align and the Center count will change.
Note: All CENTER frequency controls (located on the Main Control Panel and on the
current decoding module) are linked together. When one alters the value on one all
others will be updated instantaneously to the new value.
2.4. Parsing
2.4.1. Selection/deletion
When decoding takes place the data is parsed before it appears in the decode
window. Parsers are designed to meet certain criteria. When a decode module is
opened it will have a number of parsers available by default. These are indicated
by tabs.
To add further parsers click the Parser tab the Parser selection lists appear. This
also occurs when all parsers are deleted
The selection and loading method is per that used for Decoder selection. Up to 32
parsers may be added to any one decoder module.
The contents of the lists relate to those parsers available for the current decoding
module.
Parser(s) which appear by default, and the range which may be added, are both
dependant on the individual decode module and may be limited. Where permitted
there may be up to 32 parsers per module.
The following table summarises the general availability.
When particular parsers are selected additional options may also become functional.
Clicking ABC forces Letters table. Clicking 123 forces Figures table.
Checking Invert will cater for a situation where the recovered tones are reversed
i.e. due to incorrect sideband, BFO incorrectly set, etc.
Checking one of the "on space" boxes will have this function occur automatically
when a Space is received.
A drop-menu is
offering a selection
of framing
options.
Checking Invert will cater for a situation where the recovered tones are reversed ie
due to incorrect sideband, BFO incorrectly set, etc.
State indicates
IDLE waiting for message
HEADER processing header
DATA outputting data
2.4.3.4. BitACF
This parser is limited to the Mil.Std 188-110 and STANAG modes under the PSK
group, and to Sync FSK and STANAG 4481 under the FSK group.
When called the parser opens with an ACF FFT window above, and an empty
window below to display the bit ACF.
The Pause button [ red when active] locks the contents of the buffer
and allows the user to try different lengths using the same data
When the mouse cursor is placed in the ACF FFT a vertical cursor appears as does
the Cursor: position indicator in the toolbar.
This vertical cursor should be aligned with a suitable ACF spike and the mouse left-
key clicked. The bit pattern of the internal data is written to the lower window;
either for the first time or overwriting the previous display. Writing is left to right
and top to bottom. The right hand of the lower display is aligned with the vertical
cursor.
In the toolbar a new label Selected: indicates this position and remains even when
the cursor leaves the FFT window and the vertical cursor and Cursor: disappear.
Constant 1 bits
Cursor shows each ACF spike (each repeatable character) occurs every 8 bits. As
shown below each character ends with Bit 8 = 0.
Discussed below are a number of facilities therein of which five have an individual
status icon to indicate it is active.
2.5.1. Save
If the Save to file option the previously decoded data in the receive buffer will be
saved and the file closed.
2.5.2. Logging
If the Open disk log option is selected a file will be opened and subsequent data
appended until the decode module is closed or the now active Close disk log option
is clicked.
2.5.3. Server
Employed where the user wishes to transfer the data to another application.
The TCP/IP server will output the data in ANSI or UNICODE as selected. On clicking
the relevant option the server requests the port number [TCP/IP Server listen
port] on which it will listen for connections (Range 1-65535). When enabled any
application can connect to the server to obtain parser output.. However the
maximum number of connections to a single parser TCP/IP server is 16.
Once set returning to the Server menu it will be found that Stop TCP server will
now be active. Additionally if one closes the parser or decode window all clients will
be disconnected and the server will be stopped automatically.
2.5.4. Options
This function may be applied using either the Scroll Lock option as noted in Section
2.5.4 in an individual decoder module, or globally (all active decoders) by means of
Scroll Lock key on the keyboard.
When Scroll Lock is active the decoded data continues to be stored in the receive
buffer but ceases to be written to the parser window. On being returned to the
inactive state the missing data is immediately written to the window after which
data continues to appear at the decode speed.
This function is very useful when copying text to the clipboard from a decoder
which constantly outputs text.
a. The FFT window can be toggled between Hide/Show by means of the triangle
in the FFT title bar.
c. The height of the FFT window may be adjusted by dragging the lower border.
d. If this new height is also to be saved as the new default right click the FFT
window.
Click to action.
Click to confirm.
Where an FSK module has integral error correction this will be displayed as follows:
In this example of Sitor-B black text is correctly received. If red then one of the
two channels has been received corrupt. If both channels are corrupt a red tilde
symbol is used.
When enabled, time stamping and empty line filtering affects raw data logs and TCP
server output.
Warning: Time stamping and line filtering are NOT 8bit/16bit transparent. All
parser output channels are affected (log, save to file, TCP server).
The user may always open two parsers of the same type;
a. one logging with timestamps and line filtering, and
b. the other saving 8bit/16bit-safe decoder output.
These functions treat the decoder output as text. It means some control characters
are discarded in the process, making the output no longer 100% binary
transparent.
With data decoded in the parser window the following method may be used to copy
to clipboard.
Press the Scroll Lock key. SLCK icon lights, and updating of parser window stops.
Highlight the section of decoded data required (e.g. click and drag).
Right-click the parser window and click the Copy to clipboard option.
Click Parser window to clear selection block, and press Scroll Lock key to permit
decoder to continue updating window.
In addition, in any decode module with a Status display, the user should be aware
that by right-clicking this display it's contents will be copied to the clipboard.
2.6.1. Operation
To open click the I/Q - Phase Plane tab (where available) in the Parser bar.
The window opens with a set of controls to adjust three display parameters.
In this description two phase symbols (2-ary) are shown with controls in default
settings. As with decoding in the parent module the constellation is not updated
until the module achieves sync with the signal.
Constellations will be sharper on the better SNR signals, with little/no fading and
the decoding module Mode correctly set (bps/interleave).
Changing Zooming will cause the size of the display to increase or decrease.
Clicking the Lines Mode box will cause transit lines to connect relevant symbols.
2-ary
4-ary
-013