Portsdown Stretch 2019 Software Update 201903250

[G8GKQ]

I have just released a new software update for the Portsdown. It includes major improvements to the LimeSDR functionality, and also requires that you upgrade your LimeSDR Firmware/gateware after the update.

Additionally, the new release includes some scripts to enable remote remote control of the Portsdown over a network. More information on them to follow.

After you have updated your Portsdown, you will need to update your LimeSDR Mini. You can do this from Menu3, Lime Config, Update Lime FW. After the update, you should have Firmware Version 6, Gateware version 29. You can check this from the "Lime FW Info" button. The latest version of DATV Express is also compatible with this Lime firmware version.

Limitations: the Lime functionality is not perfect; the C920 webcam does not work well at above 250K SR, but it does work well with the Pi Camera and the EasyCap dongle. The test card mode does initially transmit a picture, but then degrades. F5OEO is working on a better version, but as so many people were using this as a "Dev" build, I decided that it needed to be properly released.

I will now be concentrating on other elements of functionality for the next release (that LeanDVB receive bug, more control from the touchscreen and other items on my to-do list) and then I will come back to the LimeSDR.

Dave, G8GKQ

[G8GKQ]

IMPORTANT

Before attempting to update your LimeSDR firmware, please ensure that your Portsdown is connected to the internet. If it is not connected to the internet, the update will fail, and subsequent attempts to update will also fail.

To recover from this situation, connect to the internet and access the portsdown in Console mode (details here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Console_mode) and then select "Shutdown and Reboot Options", and "Exit to Linux"

At the command prompt, paste in:

Code: Select all

rm /home/pi/.local/share/LimeSuite/images/19.01/LimeSDR-Mini_HW_1.2_r1.29.rpd

There should be no response, just a new command prompt.

Then paste in

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LimeUtil --make

to check that your Lime is connected (you should see details of the old firmware; if not, unplug and replug the Lime).

Then paste in

Code: Select all

LimeUtil --update

The new update should download and then update the Lime.

You can check what has happened by running the make again:

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LimeUtil --make

Dave, G8GKQ

[g0mgx]

Hi Dave

I'm in the position where the Lime Update is failing.

I don't have a 19.01 directory in the /home/pi/.local/share/LimeSuite/images directory - I only have 18.10

I also don't have any "LimeUtil" command as this returns "command not found"

Thanks for any help

Mark
G0MGX

[G8GKQ]

Hi Mark

I think that LimeSuite may not have installed correctly when you did your update. Possibly a brief internet outage; I am looking at including error detection but it's a big job.

To sort it out from the command prompt, delete a file:

Code: Select all

rm /home/pi/LimeSuite/commit_tag.txt

and then reboot. From the touchscreen, force an update. Then try again please.

Please let me know how it goes.

Dave, G8GKQ

[g0mgx]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the quick response. I dont have the "/home/pi/LimeSuite" directory - it doesnt exist.

I installed the LimeSuite on my Windows PC and have performed a LimeUtil --update on the device which seems to be OK. It reports:

[15:31:54] INFO: Connected Control port: LimeSDR-Mini FW:6 HW:2 Protocol:1 GW:1.29 Ref Clk: 40.00 MHz

I have done the force update on the Portsdown and all seems OK now.

Thanks for your help

Mark
G0MGX

[EA3UM]

Hi Dave
LIME SDR USB
For a problem with the RPI I had to reload the version, which was already 201903250, which forced me to reconfigure the LIME SDR USB flash FPGA to version 2.20.
Well since then it does not work well.
When TX is set, the transmission is activated with all the correct parameters, but when I stop transmitting, a small carrier signal is output, between -80 to -60 dB, level dependent on the chosen frequency, and from there, already it does not return to TX. I have to reset the LIME, disconnecting the USB and cutting off the power.
Once it is reset it supports another TX command and repeats the described effect.
I do not know where I can find version 201902250 again, because it's the one that worked well.
Has someone happened to that?
Thank you
73 - Magi-
EA3UM

[EA3UM]

Hello
Does anyone know where I can find version 201902250?
Thank you
73 Magi
EA3UM

[g8gtz]

I Magi

Dave is currently on holiday (in your country!) but I'm sure will reply to this and other questions when he returns later this week.

73
Noel - G8GTZ

[EA3UM]

Hi Noel
I wish Dave a happy stay in my land.
Thanks for the info
73 Magi
EA3UM

[G8GKQ]

Hi Magi

A great holiday in Tenerife thanks; now back to reality!

Sorry, I do not have a LimeSDR USB to test with (only a LimeSDR Mini), so I cannot find problems like this before release. It seems that the file https://github.com/BritishAmateurTelevi ... pchannel.c (which should stop the Lime transmitting and reset it) is not working with the new LimeSDR USB firmware. The file itself has not changed - it is something in the Lime firmware that has changed.

The individual files for previous versions of the Portsdown are all on GitHub, but because each release calls so many external applications (which also change over time), I do not have an install script for old versions. Simply too much work for a volunteer.

So - a request to other Portsdown users. Please can anybody with a LimeSDR USB have a look at what is happening in the latest version and suggest a change to limesdr_stopchannel.c to fix it?

Thanks

Dave, G8GKQ