We (Dale Weber, N7PKT and I) have been working on porting Asterisk/app_rpt to the TINY (about 3.5 x 3.5 inches) BeagleBoard (arm-based Linux system), using the native (built-in) audio and GPIO hardware to directly interface to radio systems. As of this evening, we have success!! The BeagleBoard is capable of talking to 2 radios (either half or full duplex) using the radio's COR and CTCSS decoders (sorry, there isnt enough CPU power to do the DSP processing, like in chan_usbradio). It will also talk to a URI (or 2 or maybe even 3??) using chan_simpleusb. I am designing an I/O card, which properly conditions both the analog and digital signals in and out of the BeagleBoard, and will provide general-purpose GPIO pins for whatever the user's needs are. It also may contain a DC-DC converter, so that the system may be powered from a 12 volt (well, like maybe 9-18 volt, actually) DC input, allowing use in an automobile and various configuration of battery/solar/ wind-power. For those interested, I posted the working chan_beagle.c source in the SVN, and will update it as the project moves along. Currently it only supports 1 fully operational channel, but that's because my test hardware was not intended to do anything other then that. We will also post the working kernel sources, plus an entire image of the 4GB flash card, for ease of installation. JIM WB6NIL
Congrats...keep us posted. I'm sure I'm not the only interested party. Shawn KB8UDE Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message----- From: Jim Duuuude <telesistant@hotmail.com> Sender: app_rpt-users-bounces@qrvc.com Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:27:54 To: app_rpt mailing list<app_rpt-users@qrvc.com> Subject: [App_rpt-users] PICO NODE is now a REALITY! _______________________________________________ App_rpt-users mailing list App_rpt-users@qrvc.com http://qrvc.com/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users
Here is a pic of the node controller in its present form. From: telesistant@hotmail.com To: app_rpt-users@qrvc.com Subject: PICO NODE is now a REALITY! Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:27:54 -0800 We (Dale Weber, N7PKT and I) have been working on porting Asterisk/app_rpt to the TINY (about 3.5 x 3.5 inches) BeagleBoard (arm-based Linux system), using the native (built-in) audio and GPIO hardware to directly interface to radio systems. As of this evening, we have success!! The BeagleBoard is capable of talking to 2 radios (either half or full duplex) using the radio's COR and CTCSS decoders (sorry, there isnt enough CPU power to do the DSP processing, like in chan_usbradio). It will also talk to a URI (or 2 or maybe even 3??) using chan_simpleusb. I am designing an I/O card, which properly conditions both the analog and digital signals in and out of the BeagleBoard, and will provide general-purpose GPIO pins for whatever the user's needs are. It also may contain a DC-DC converter, so that the system may be powered from a 12 volt (well, like maybe 9-18 volt, actually) DC input, allowing use in an automobile and various configuration of battery/solar/ wind-power. For those interested, I posted the working chan_beagle.c source in the SVN, and will update it as the project moves along. Currently it only supports 1 fully operational channel, but that's because my test hardware was not intended to do anything other then that. We will also post the working kernel sources, plus an entire image of the 4GB flash card, for ease of installation. JIM WB6NIL
Jim & all, I just blogged it at http://www.hybotics.info a few minutes ago. 8-Dale On Thursday, November 25, 2010 07:27:54 pm Jim Duuuude wrote:
We (Dale Weber, N7PKT and I) have been working on porting Asterisk/app_rpt to the TINY (about 3.5 x 3.5 inches) BeagleBoard (arm-based Linux system), using the native (built-in) audio and GPIO hardware to directly interface to radio systems.
As of this evening, we have success!!
The BeagleBoard is capable of talking to 2 radios (either half or full duplex) using the radio's COR and CTCSS decoders (sorry, there isnt enough CPU power to do the DSP processing, like in chan_usbradio). It will also talk to a URI (or 2 or maybe even 3??) using chan_simpleusb.
I am designing an I/O card, which properly conditions both the analog and digital signals in and out of the BeagleBoard, and will provide general-purpose GPIO pins for whatever the user's needs are. It also may contain a DC-DC converter, so that the system may be powered from a 12 volt (well, like maybe 9-18 volt, actually) DC input, allowing use in an automobile and various configuration of battery/solar/ wind-power.
For those interested, I posted the working chan_beagle.c source in the SVN, and will update it as the project moves along. Currently it only supports 1 fully operational channel, but that's because my test hardware was not intended to do anything other then that.
We will also post the working kernel sources, plus an entire image of the 4GB flash card, for ease of installation.
JIM WB6NIL
-- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
Thanks Guys, That is great news! This is perfect for my pelican box nodes. What Ethernet and/or wifi adaptor did you use? Pete From: app_rpt-users-bounces@qrvc.com [mailto:app_rpt-users-bounces@qrvc.com] On Behalf Of Jim Duuuude Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 7:28 PM To: app_rpt mailing list Subject: [App_rpt-users] PICO NODE is now a REALITY! We (Dale Weber, N7PKT and I) have been working on porting Asterisk/app_rpt to the TINY (about 3.5 x 3.5 inches) BeagleBoard (arm-based Linux system), using the native (built-in) audio and GPIO hardware to directly interface to radio systems. As of this evening, we have success!! The BeagleBoard is capable of talking to 2 radios (either half or full duplex) using the radio's COR and CTCSS decoders (sorry, there isnt enough CPU power to do the DSP processing, like in chan_usbradio). It will also talk to a URI (or 2 or maybe even 3??) using chan_simpleusb. I am designing an I/O card, which properly conditions both the analog and digital signals in and out of the BeagleBoard, and will provide general-purpose GPIO pins for whatever the user's needs are. It also may contain a DC-DC converter, so that the system may be powered from a 12 volt (well, like maybe 9-18 volt, actually) DC input, allowing use in an automobile and various configuration of battery/solar/ wind-power. For those interested, I posted the working chan_beagle.c source in the SVN, and will update it as the project moves along. Currently it only supports 1 fully operational channel, but that's because my test hardware was not intended to do anything other then that. We will also post the working kernel sources, plus an entire image of the 4GB flash card, for ease of installation. JIM WB6NIL
On Thursday, November 25, 2010 11:51:45 pm Peter Elke wrote:
This is perfect for my pelican box nodes. What Ethernet and/or wifi adaptor did you use?
We're using the newer BeagleBoard-xM, which has on board 10/100 Ethernet, and this works great. I've also been experimenting with WiFi using a couple different LinkSys dongles, but I haven't had enough time to play with that to kmow if it will be reliable or not. 8-Dale -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
Did you have to make a analog broad for the radio? Can we make a remote base with it? David On Fri, Nov 26, 2010 at 2:09 AM, Dale Weber <n7pkt@hybotics.org> wrote:
On Thursday, November 25, 2010 11:51:45 pm Peter Elke wrote:
This is perfect for my pelican box nodes. What Ethernet and/or wifi adaptor did you use?
We're using the newer BeagleBoard-xM, which has on board 10/100 Ethernet, and this works great. I've also been experimenting with WiFi using a couple different LinkSys dongles, but I haven't had enough time to play with that to kmow if it will be reliable or not.
8-Dale -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should? _______________________________________________ App_rpt-users mailing list App_rpt-users@qrvc.com http://qrvc.com/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users
I have been playing with two similar projects, but at a lower cost with the same processor(s). 1. SheevaPlug - I have PlugPBX - Asterisk running on one currently. - Note: The original Sheeva Plug only has one USB port. - The sheeva comes with 512mb ram and 512mb flash. I am running PlugPBX on a 4 Gig SD card. The actual PlugPBX image is only using about 2g. 2. My newest "toy" is a "PogoPlug Pro". It has less ram and flash, but has 4 USB ports! I will be working with GuruPlugs next. They have eSATA and more USB ports! http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-guruplugdetails.aspx The PogoPlug Pro version has not been "cracked" - yet. I am working on it! I see no reason not to run Asterisk on this 79.00 (Best Buy) box and boot from USB with a URI for Audio. - The limited ram might be the only issue, but the Sheeva and Guru are cheaper than the Beagleboards and have WiFi NOTE: The PogoPlug Pro has WiFi as well! References: PlugPBX: http://www.plugpbx.org/ Comparisons between other "cheap" single board computers: http://plugboxlinux.org/index.php5?title=Portal:Hardware Mark KC5EVE At 09:27 PM 11/25/2010, Jim Duuuude wrote:
We (Dale Weber, N7PKT and I) have been working on porting Asterisk/app_rpt to the TINY (about 3.5 x 3.5 inches) BeagleBoard (arm-based Linux system), using the native (built-in) audio and GPIO hardware to directly interface to radio systems.
As of this evening, we have success!!
The BeagleBoard is capable of talking to 2 radios (either half or full duplex) using the radio's COR and CTCSS decoders (sorry, there isnt enough CPU power to do the DSP processing, like in chan_usbradio). It will also talk to a URI (or 2 or maybe even 3??) using chan_simpleusb.
I am designing an I/O card, which properly conditions both the analog and digital signals in and out of the BeagleBoard, and will provide general-purpose GPIO pins for whatever the user's needs are. It also may contain a DC-DC converter, so that the system may be powered from a 12 volt (well, like maybe 9-18 volt, actually) DC input, allowing use in an automobile and various configuration of battery/solar/ wind-power.
For those interested, I posted the working chan_beagle.c source in the SVN, and will update it as the project moves along. Currently it only supports 1 fully operational channel, but that's because my test hardware was not intended to do anything other then that.
We will also post the working kernel sources, plus an entire image of the 4GB flash card, for ease of installation.
JIM WB6NIL
_______________________________________________ App_rpt-users mailing list App_rpt-users@qrvc.com http://qrvc.com/mailman/listinfo/app_rpt-users
On Saturday, November 27, 2010 07:35:18 am Mark Cheavens wrote:
I have been playing with two similar projects, but at a lower cost with the same processor(s). 1. SheevaPlug - I have PlugPBX - Asterisk running on one currently. - Note: The original Sheeva Plug only has one USB port. - The sheeva comes with 512mb ram and 512mb flash. I am running PlugPBX on a 4 Gig SD card. The actual PlugPBX image is only using about 2g.
Being able to run Asterisk on this does not necessarily mean it will be ale to run AllStarLink well. However, the chances are good that it will be able to Run AllStarLink. If you only want to run a single radio for a simplex node, this may work fine using a URI. You will have to use simpleusb like we are. Our solution with the BeagleBoard can run at least two radio channels using the native audio hardware, and at least one more channel using a URI. We haven't gotten into using the on board DSP at all, and probably won't as long as we are getting good results with what we are doing.
2. My newest "toy" is a "PogoPlug Pro". It has less ram and flash, but has 4 USB ports!
I wouldn't want to attempt running AllStarLink with less than 512 MB RAM. While we did have it running on a Beagle-C3 for awhile, the results were less than we would be happy with.
I will be working with GuruPlugs next. They have eSATA and more USB ports! http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/t-guruplugdetails.aspx
The PogoPlug Pro version has not been "cracked" - yet. I am working on it! I see no reason not to run Asterisk on this 79.00 (Best Buy) box and boot from USB with a URI for Audio. - The limited ram might be the only issue, but the Sheeva and Guru are cheaper than the Beagleboards and have WiFi NOTE: The PogoPlug Pro has WiFi as well!
The amount of memory is important, and if these have less than 256 Mb RAM, it's going to be difficult to get good results from it, even with a URI for audio. The BeagleBoard-C3 has 256 Mb Flash and 256 Mb RAM and it did run a single channel using simpleusb and an URL, but didn't run it as well as we wanted. We are perfectionists, and your mileagle may vary. :D 8-Dale -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
Hi everyone, I'm creating a place to put all Pico Node related info and files. The web address is http://www.n7pkt.com and just click the Pico Node link. There is not much there right now, and the site may be moved to a different server at some point. It's not fancy at all, but the place for info and files is there. -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
Greetings again! We've got a new domain for everything to do with Pico Node. Check out http://www.picklejar.org to find out what's happening with Pico Node. This is not a fancy site, but it will have the necessary information and files on it. 8-Dale -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
Hi everyone, I'm creating a place to put all Pico Node related info and files. The web address is http:/www.n7pkt.com and just click the Pico Node link. There is not much there right now, and the site may be moved to a different server at some point. It's not fancy at all, but the place for info and files is there. 8-Dale -- Open your mind, Read, Learn, Think, Apply, and Have Fun! AllStarLink Node 2392 | EchoLink node 6185 | 73, from N7PKT! Main site: http://www.hybotics.com | Blog: http://www.hybotics.info Just because we can, does it follow that we should?
participants (6)
-
Dale Weber -
David KE6UPI -
Jim Duuuude -
kb8ude＠gmail.com -
Mark Cheavens -
Peter Elke