Radarcape:Faq: Difference between revisions

From Beast Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Beastadmin
(Created page with " '''Q:''' Will you provide solutions of all the application ideas?<br /> '''A:''' This is far outside my capabilities and it is left to some skilled people in the community. ...")
 
imported>Nunojpg
No edit summary
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{#seo:
|title=Radarcape FAQ
|titlemode=replace
|keywords=radarcape,FAQ,Frequently,Asked,Questions
|description=Radarcape Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
}}


 
====Q: Will you provide solutions of all the application ideas?====
'''Q:''' Will you provide solutions of all the application ideas?<br />
'''A:''' This is far outside my capabilities and it is left to some skilled people in the community. However, I will provide some basic services like 1) or some code libraries that will make Mode-S decoding easier. I most probably will also enforce the idea of peer-to-peer multilateration.
'''A:''' This is far outside my capabilities and it is left to some skilled people in the community. However, I will provide some basic services like 1) or some code libraries that will make Mode-S decoding easier. I most probably will also enforce the idea of peer-to-peer multilateration.


'''Q:''' How does the Radarcape perform compared to the Mode-S Beast?<br />
====Q: How does the Radarcape perform compared to the Mode-S Beast?====
'''A:''' The Radarcape got all the improvements implemented that I've learned with the Mode-S Beast, so it's performance generally is a little bit better than the Mode-S Beast, however there are influences that can let the other one look better in some cases. The main focus on the development is versatiltiy in the use cases and not performance.
'''A:''' The Radarcape got all the improvements implemented that I've learned with the Mode-S Beast, so it's performance generally is a little bit better than the Mode-S Beast, however there are influences that can let the other one look better in some cases. The main focus on the development is versatiltiy in the use cases and not performance.


'''Q:''' What will be the price?<br />
====Q: Will the final user still need to solder difficulty components?====
'''A:''' The price will compare to the capabilities of the Mode-S Beast
 
'''Q:''' Will you offer ready made units in a case<br />
'''A:''' Not I by myself, but a dealer was selected who will sell the Radarcape. I will furtheron concentrate on the development of the next generation. Due to the complexity, there will only be ready made units with CE/FCC qualification. Only for very very special reasons empty boards are availabe.
 
'''Q:''' When will it be available to public?<br />
'''A:''' Currently (E10/2012) a larger batch of boards is in production and will go to the market end of 2012.
 
'''Q:''' Will the final user still need to solder difficulty components?<br />
'''A:''' The Radarcape will only be available as ready made unit, so no end user completion tasks are necessary.
'''A:''' The Radarcape will only be available as ready made unit, so no end user completion tasks are necessary.


'''Q:''' What if I am not familiar with Linux at all?<br />
====Q: What if I am not familiar with Linux at all?====
'''A:''' It much looks as if it as easy as handling of a USB stick, not more, so copying software to it and handling it from there should be easy.
'''A:''' It much looks as if it as easy as handling of a USB stick, not more, so copying software to it and handling it from there should be easy.
Updates easily can be done with a SCP tool, as described in this wiki, as another way the Radarcape while it is connected to the internet can download SW automatically.
Updates easily can be done with a SCP tool, as described in this wiki, as another way the Radarcape while it is connected to the internet can download SW automatically.
Otherwise it might be possible to supply ready preinstalled SD cards that only need to be plugged into the Beaglebone's slot.
Otherwise it might be possible to supply ready preinstalled SD cards that only need to be plugged into the Beaglebone's slot.


'''Q:''' Why did you select the Beaglebone and not the Raspberry Board<br />
====Q: Why did you select the Beaglebone and not the Raspberry Board?====
'''A:''' The Beaglebone is a device that is made for expandability while the R-Pi is a nice gadget but unfortunately does not provide some major features like a power connector, enougth signals on the extension port. Finally it cannot easily become integrated into a case, since the connectors extend to all 4 sides and are not aligned. All these are items which solution would easily eat up the cheaper price.
'''A:''' The Beaglebone is a device that is made for expandability while the R-Pi is a nice gadget but unfortunately does not provide some major features like a power connector or enougth signals on the extension port. Finally it cannot easily become integrated into a case, since the connectors extend to all 4 sides and are not aligned. All these are items which solution would easily eat up the cheaper price.
 
====Q: Can I replace Radarcape Beaglebone-White with a Beaglebone-Black?====
'''A:''' Older Radarcape devices use a Beaglebone-White while newers use a Beaglebone-Black. Unfortunately the Radarcape main board also use a different pinout between both versions, so swapping is not possible.
 
====Q: Can I operate the Radarcape without GPS?====
'''A:''' Yes. As long as you don't want to use the absolute GPS timestamp, the Radarcape can operate without GPS.
 
====Q: Can the Radarcape, equal to the Mode-S Beast, decode 2 independant antenna signals?====
'''A:''' Only the special Radarcape Version with diversity receiver can decode 2 channels. 4 channels however are not possible.
 
====Q: Do I need special tools in order to operate the Radarcape?====
'''A:''' No. Unlike the Mode-S Beast, which required a FPGA programming adapter in its first version, the Radarcape can be managed with software only. All you may need are some basic software tools like WinSCP or Putty.<br \>Just for rewriting a SD card a 4GB SDHC micro SD card writer is useful, which is in many cases already part of modern computers.
 
====Q: Will the Radarcape work without an ethernet connection?====
'''A:''' Yes. You can use it like a Mode-S Beast connected over USB.
 
====Q: Is it possilbe to power the Radarcape from USB only?====
'''A:''' No. Power consuption of the whole device is about twice as much as USB can supply, so in any way of operation an external 5V supply is required.
 
====Q: I do not see Linux help on the Radarcape?====
'''A:''' The Radarcape comes with the reduced embedded root file system which does not have this feature.
 
====Q: How can I downgrade to a old Radarcape software version?====
'''A:''' Yes. You can enter a earlier version number on the Radarcape update menu to downgrade.


'''Q:''' Can I operate the Radarcape without GPS?<br />
====Q: wget does not work when trying to maintain databases====
'''A:''' As long as you don't want to use the absolute GPS timestamp, the Radarcape can operate as a standalone unit.
'''A:''' Try to send these commands in the command shell:
<source lang="bash">
chattr -i /usr/bin/wget.wget
chmod u+rwx /usr/bin/wget.wget
</source>


'''Q:''' Can the Radarcape, equal to the Mode-S Beast, still decode 2 independant antenna signals?<br />
====Q: What are the default credentials for the web interface?====
'''A:''' Yes, the Radarcape is equipped with all hardware in order to decode 2 channels, however it is not supported in the standard out of the box version. The extension is easy and can be done by the user.
'''A:''' The default user name is ''Administrator'' and the default password is ''radarcape''. We strongly recommend you to change the password after the first login!


'''Q:''' Will there be Radarcapes without GPS available?<br />
====Q: What are the default credentials for the SSH login?====
'''A:''' If your Radarcape is intended to fly above 10000m above ground or if you are planning to fly it in an orbiting satellite: yes. Otherwise I would like to have one standard for all.
'''A:''' This depends on which Linux Distribution you have installed. Check [[Advanced Linux Tasks]].

Latest revision as of 17:44, 6 December 2018


Q: Will you provide solutions of all the application ideas?

A: This is far outside my capabilities and it is left to some skilled people in the community. However, I will provide some basic services like 1) or some code libraries that will make Mode-S decoding easier. I most probably will also enforce the idea of peer-to-peer multilateration.

Q: How does the Radarcape perform compared to the Mode-S Beast?

A: The Radarcape got all the improvements implemented that I've learned with the Mode-S Beast, so it's performance generally is a little bit better than the Mode-S Beast, however there are influences that can let the other one look better in some cases. The main focus on the development is versatiltiy in the use cases and not performance.

Q: Will the final user still need to solder difficulty components?

A: The Radarcape will only be available as ready made unit, so no end user completion tasks are necessary.

Q: What if I am not familiar with Linux at all?

A: It much looks as if it as easy as handling of a USB stick, not more, so copying software to it and handling it from there should be easy. Updates easily can be done with a SCP tool, as described in this wiki, as another way the Radarcape while it is connected to the internet can download SW automatically. Otherwise it might be possible to supply ready preinstalled SD cards that only need to be plugged into the Beaglebone's slot.

Q: Why did you select the Beaglebone and not the Raspberry Board?

A: The Beaglebone is a device that is made for expandability while the R-Pi is a nice gadget but unfortunately does not provide some major features like a power connector or enougth signals on the extension port. Finally it cannot easily become integrated into a case, since the connectors extend to all 4 sides and are not aligned. All these are items which solution would easily eat up the cheaper price.

Q: Can I replace Radarcape Beaglebone-White with a Beaglebone-Black?

A: Older Radarcape devices use a Beaglebone-White while newers use a Beaglebone-Black. Unfortunately the Radarcape main board also use a different pinout between both versions, so swapping is not possible.

Q: Can I operate the Radarcape without GPS?

A: Yes. As long as you don't want to use the absolute GPS timestamp, the Radarcape can operate without GPS.

Q: Can the Radarcape, equal to the Mode-S Beast, decode 2 independant antenna signals?

A: Only the special Radarcape Version with diversity receiver can decode 2 channels. 4 channels however are not possible.

Q: Do I need special tools in order to operate the Radarcape?

A: No. Unlike the Mode-S Beast, which required a FPGA programming adapter in its first version, the Radarcape can be managed with software only. All you may need are some basic software tools like WinSCP or Putty.
Just for rewriting a SD card a 4GB SDHC micro SD card writer is useful, which is in many cases already part of modern computers.

Q: Will the Radarcape work without an ethernet connection?

A: Yes. You can use it like a Mode-S Beast connected over USB.

Q: Is it possilbe to power the Radarcape from USB only?

A: No. Power consuption of the whole device is about twice as much as USB can supply, so in any way of operation an external 5V supply is required.

Q: I do not see Linux help on the Radarcape?

A: The Radarcape comes with the reduced embedded root file system which does not have this feature.

Q: How can I downgrade to a old Radarcape software version?

A: Yes. You can enter a earlier version number on the Radarcape update menu to downgrade.

Q: wget does not work when trying to maintain databases

A: Try to send these commands in the command shell:

chattr -i /usr/bin/wget.wget
chmod u+rwx /usr/bin/wget.wget

Q: What are the default credentials for the web interface?

A: The default user name is Administrator and the default password is radarcape. We strongly recommend you to change the password after the first login!

Q: What are the default credentials for the SSH login?

A: This depends on which Linux Distribution you have installed. Check Advanced Linux Tasks.