SatNOGS Monitor

2019-11-09T14:35:13Z

Royldean: Added line about running on any non satnogs station computer in description. Added "tab key" info in "running" section.

==Description==
[[File:Satnogs-monitor.png|800px]]

'''SatNOGS Monitor''' is a terminal ui to monitor your and/or other ground stations of the SatNOGS network. It is written in [https://www.rust-lang.org/ Rust] and runs on Linux and has been reported to run on MacOS[https://community.libre.space/t/satnogs-station-monitor/2802/13]. Windows is currently not supported by the underlying terminal library, but might be added at some point in the future. '''SatNOGS Monitor''' does not need to be installed on an actual SatNOGS station computer (although there are benefits to doing so as discussed below).

==Installation==
===Dependencies===
'''SatNOGS Monitor''' uses bindings to '''libgpredict'''[https://github.com/cubehub/libgpredict]. This library is not available as installable package and you'll have to build it yourself.

====Install libgpredict dependencies====

sudo apt-get install libglib2.0-dev cmake build-essential git

====Build and install libgpredict====

git clone https://github.com/cubehub/libgpredict.git
cd libgpredict
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ../
make
make install
sudo ldconfig # for linux

===Raspberry Pi (armhf)===
You can run the SatNOGS Monitor on the same Raspberry Pi as your ground station. You'll need to build and install libgpredict as shown above and can build the monitor from source (see [#Hacking]) or use the prebuild Raspbian package.

wget https://github.com/wose/satnogs-monitor/releases/download/0.2.0/satnogs-monitor_0.2.0_armhf.deb
sudo dpkg -i satnogs-monitor_0.2.0_armhf.deb

You can then run the monitor over any ssh connection to your ground station or view it directly on a display attached to your RPi. See [https://community.libre.space/t/stegoboard-satnogs-ground-station/4640 this thread] for some inspiration.

===Linux (x86_64)===
If you're running an Debian like distribution you can install the prebuild package after building and installing libgpredict.

wget https://github.com/wose/satnogs-monitor/releases/download/0.2.0/satnogs-monitor_0.2.0_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i satnogs-monitor_0.2.0_amd64.deb

See [#Hacking] if you're running another distribution.

==Running it==
The monitor makes heavy usage of braille unicode characters so make sure your terminal emulator uses a font which includes those glyphs. The screenshot at the top shows alacritty[https://github.com/jwilm/alacritty] with the tewi-font[https://github.com/lucy/tewi-font].

Monitor single station:
satnogs-monitor -s 175
Multiple stations:
satnogs-monitor -s 175 -s 227
Monitor a station on the same machine as the monitor runs (gets you more system infos):
satnogs-monitor -l 175
Monitor a local station and multiple remote stations:
satnogs-monitor -l 175 -s 227 -s 2

You can also create a config file with all those informations:
mkdir ~/config/satnogs-monitor
cd ~/config/satnogs-monitor
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wose/satnogs-monitor/master/monitor/examples/config.toml
edit config.toml

Check the help for more command line arguments:
$ satnogs-monitor -h
satnogs-monitor 0.2.0
Monitors the current and future jobs of SatNOGS ground stations.

USAGE:
satnogs-monitor [FLAGS] [OPTIONS]

FLAGS:
-h, --help Prints help information
-V, --version Prints version information
-v Sets the level of log verbosity

OPTIONS:
-a, --api <URL> Sets the SatNOGS network api endpoint url
-c, --config <FILE> Sets custom config file
-l, --local <ID>... Adds a station running on the same machine as this monitor with this
SatNOGS network id to to the list of monitored stations
-o, --orbits <NUM> Sets the number of orbits plotted on the map
-s, --station <ID>... Adds a station with this SatNOGS network id to the list of monitored
stations
'''TAB''' key will cycle through available stations while SatNOGS Monitor is running.

==Hacking==

To build the monitor from source you'll need to install the Rust. Use your package manager or follow [https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install this site].

git clone https://github.com/wose/satnogs-monitor.git
cd satnogs-monitor/monitor
mkdir ~/.config/satnogs-monitor
cp examples/config.toml ~/.config/satnogs-monitor/
edit ~/.config/satnogs-monitor/config.toml
cargo run --release -- -s 175

Software Defined Radio

2019-09-17T22:00:43Z

Royldean: added bias-t instructions for use with RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Software Defined Radio}}

SatNOGS can use a variety of SDRs. The most cost-effective solution is to use an RTL-SDR with a Raspberry Pi. More advanced SDRs can also be used, but they require more processing power than what a Raspberry Pi can offer.

===RTL-SDR: RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Software Defined Radios===
SatNOGS uses the RTL-SDR as the default signal receiver and tuner. The RTL-SDR is based on two chips -- the versatile [http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=35&Level=4&Conn=3&ProdID=257 RTL2832U chip] and the [https://rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/R820T_datasheet-Non_R-20111130_unlocked.pdf R820T tuner]. The RTL-SDR is currently the cheapest, most common, and most performing solution available in terms of general sensitivity having a frequency range of 24 – 1766 MHz. A metal enclosure with SMA connector is preferred, along with a stable TCXO (low ppm). HF coverage is optional.

These RTL-SDR "dongles" are known to work with Raspberry Pi 2 or greater:

*[https://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers.html NooElec NESDR SMArt]
*[https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/ RTL-SDR Blog R820T2 RTL2832U]
*Full band UV HF RTL-SDR USB Tuner Receiver

<br />

=== Using RTL-SDR.com V3 Dongle's Bias-T Power Supply ===
The RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle has a built in software activated Bias-T voltage supply intended to be used for applications such as powering inline LNAs (Low Noise Amplifiers). There are several ways to turn on the voltage, but through initial testing (as of this writing, 17 Aug 2019) it seems that the following procedure works best.

The below relates to Raspberry Pi installs only. No testing has been performed on other systems as of yet.

''WARNING: Turning on the Bias-T with no LNA installed and a "shorted" style antenna (such as loops, egg-beaters, etc.) can damage the RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle. Never activate the bias-t with no LNA installed between the antenna and the SDR dongle.''

'''Requirements:'''

# Raspberry Pi running Raspbian Buster or newer (latest release of SatNogs image, [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-pi-gen/-/tags 2019091100], is demonstrated to work)
# [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/ RTL-SDR.com V3 SDR dongle]
# [https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/ RTL-SDR.com Bias-T Software Switch] for linux systems
# LNA capable of being powered via feedline coax (note that some LNAs need modifications to be powered by the coax, and some cannot be powered by the coax at all. Check the specifications for your LNA prior to attempting to turn on the Bias-T power supply)

<br />

==== Instructions for installing RTL-SDR.com Bias-T Software Switch ====

# Log into your SatNogs station either directly or via SSH
# If your station does not have cmake installed (SatNogs Image 2019091100 does not), install cmake with <code>sudo apt install cmake</code>
# Clone the source for the Bias-T software switch with <code>git clone <nowiki>https://github.com/rtlsdrblog/rtl_biast</nowiki></code>
# <code>cd rtl_biast</code>
# <code>mkdir build</code>
# <code>cd build</code>
# <code>cmake ..</code> (if you get a <code>LibUSB 1.0 required to compile rtl-sdr</code> error here, then do <code>sudo apt install libusb-1.0-0-dev</code> prior to attempting <code>cmake ..</code> again)
# <code>make</code>

The software switch should now be installed in the "src" directory. If you <code>cd src</code>, you can turn on the bias-t with the command <code>./rtl_biast -b 1</code> and turn it off with <code>./rtl_biast -b 0</code>. Note that the developers of this switch have warned against attempting to <code>sudo make install</code> so that this command can be executed from ouside the src directory. Testing has shown this warning to be accurate, so don't plan on running these commands from anywhere but the src directory, or else be sure to use the full path.

Switching the Bias-T on should yield between 4.5V and 5.0V across the center conductor and shield of the coax. The voltage should rise almost instantly. When switched off, the voltage seems to decrease gradually, over 5 to 10 seconds.

==== Instructions to activate the bias-t for SatNogs Observations automatically: ====

# Log into your SatNogs station either directly or via SSH
# <code>sudo satnogs-setup</code>
# select <code>Advanced</code>
# for <code>SATNOGS_DEV_ARGS</code>, enter <code>rtl,buffers=32,buflen=16384,bias=1</code> and select <code>Ok</code>
# for <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code>, enter a low gain value supported by your RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle (entering <code>rtl_test</code> at the command line prior to starting <code>satnogs-setup</code> will give you all allowable values of RF gain) and select <code>Ok</code>
# for <code>SATNOGS_POST_OBSERVATION_SCRIPT,</code> enter <code>/home/pi/rtl_biast/build/src/rtl_biast -b 0</code> and select <code>Ok</code>
# Select <code>Back</code>
# Select <code>Apply</code> (allow sytem to update and hit enter when prompted)
# Select <code>Back</code>

Your station is now set up to turn the Bias-T on for each scheduled observation (using the <code>SATNOGS_DEV_ARGS</code> string) and then turn it off at the conclusion of each observation (using the <code>SATNOGS_POST_OBSERVATION_SCRIPT</code>).

You should now schedule several observations to fine tune the <code>SATNOGS_RF_GAIN</code> value to get the best S/N performance for your station. Some have reported needing zero RF gain, others have reported low RF gain required (between 5 and 10 db), and others have said they see little benefit even with very high gain. Each station will be different.

===Advanced Software Defined Radios===
The following advanced SDRs are supported by SatNOGS. These may require more processing power than a Raspberry Pi 3b or 4 can offer.

*[https://www.ettus.com/product/category/USRP-Bus-Series USRP b200]
*[https://www.ettus.com/product/category/USRP-Networked-Series USRP2] (not compatible with the SatNOGS client on Raspberry Pi)
*[https://airspy.com/ Airspy] (not compatible with the SatNOGS client on Raspberry Pi)
*[https://greatscottgadgets.com/hackrf/ HackRF One] (not compatible with the SatNOGS client on Raspberry Pi)

===References===

*[https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtlsdr4everyone-review-of-5-rtl-sdr-dongles/ Review of 5 RTL-SDR Dongles]
*[https://hackaday.com/2017/09/05/19-rtl-sdr-dongles-reviewed/ 19 RTL-SDR Dongles Reviewed]
*[https://www.rtl-sdr.com/review-airspy-vs-sdrplay-rsp-vs-hackrf/ Review: Airspy VS. SDRplay RSP VS. HackRF]

[[Category:SDR]]
[[Category:Radio]]
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SatNOGS Wiki - User contributions [en]

SatNOGS Monitor

Software Defined Radio