Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

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laurencebarker
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby laurencebarker » Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:57 pm

Yes, it will do that today. All the needs to happen is for a program "p2app" to run; that could be set to start automatically after power up. p2app acts as an interface between the hardware and a client application such as Thetis. It doesn't need a display. It writes some test to a command line, but that's more for debugging that anything else.
Laurence Barker G8NJJ
w3ub
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby w3ub » Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:28 pm

That would be a nice addition, so that if you wanted to use the internal display you could, but if you wanted to just use a PC running Thetis you could go that way.

Doug
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby w-u-2-o » Sun Apr 16, 2023 5:12 pm

Just in case anyone missed it, Apache is offering two versions, one with, and one without, the front panel and display. Those who think they want to run piHPSDR or perhaps some future version of Thetis/p2app that uses it can get one with the front panel/display. Those who know they will only want to run it with Thetis on a PC can get the one without the front panel/display. And, just to create even more options, both versions sport two HDMI outputs and USB ports, so either version could be equipped with additional displays.
KC2QMA
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KC2QMA » Tue Apr 18, 2023 11:46 am

Is there any way to get a few more pictures of the G2 model without front panel?
Would like to see the top, bottom and front of the unit.
Thanks
IK2LRN
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby IK2LRN » Mon May 15, 2023 7:19 pm

I would like to know if it will be possible to purchase only the Saturn Board build and tested.
Regards, 73
Luca IK2LRN
rbanasik
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby rbanasik » Mon May 22, 2023 8:32 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:Sam,

But it does things no other radio can do. As long as it all remains good enough to attract the interest, energy and talent of those that produce those things, and the same from those who enjoy buying (the hardware) and using it, the platform will survive. And when it doesn't it will fade into semi-obscurity like so many other radios before it.

Scott


It seems that Apache Labs has developed a Unique Value Proposition—marketing nirvana for many businesses who are vying for competitive advantage. Many businesses try to claim they have a UVP, but those who truly offer that can sometimes dominate the target markets with whom those propositions resonate. {pun intended} It sure looks like Apache Labs has achieved that.
73
Bob
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby Carajo » Sat Jun 03, 2023 12:54 pm

Hopefully 1 week from Today the all New G2 100 watt SDR Radios shall be fully operational for shipment . today is 3 June 2023.
Carajo
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby Carajo » Sat Jun 10, 2023 12:37 pm

New Proposed shipment date for Saturn G-2 100 is June 26th.
Phonic
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby Phonic » Sun Jun 11, 2023 4:57 pm

Carajo wrote:New Proposed shipment date for Saturn G-2 100 is June 26th.


Do you believe that?
I hope I'm wrong, I have $2k down on it but I guarantee the 26th will be the very last delay.
echo_india
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby echo_india » Sun Jun 11, 2023 8:19 pm

Phonic wrote:
Carajo wrote:New Proposed shipment date for Saturn G-2 100 is June 26th.


Do you believe that?
I hope I'm wrong, I have $2k down on it but I guarantee the 26th will be the very last delay.


Same here. I will wait until the 26th of June and if there are further delays I will be requesting back my $2000 down payment.
Best 73,
EI5GJB
KC2QMA
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KC2QMA » Tue Jun 13, 2023 10:54 am

What version of Thetis are we supposed to use with the new G2 radios?
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jun 13, 2023 11:57 am

KC2QMA wrote:What version of Thetis are we supposed to use with the new G2 radios?

See this topic:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4650#p25069

HOWEVER...that patched version of Thetis is not in sync with Richie's recent 2.9.0.8 final release (the one with the voice squelch).

Look for more information to be posted over the next few weeks about how, if and when that might be corrected.
KC2QMA
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KC2QMA » Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:24 am

What cables will the new G2-100W come with or what cables will I need?
I just want to be ready when the new radio arrives.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby w-u-2-o » Tue Jun 27, 2023 12:59 pm

Historically, Apache hardware has only come with a power cable. Therefore, using the photo on the website as a guide, you'll have to supply a cable for everything you want to attach it to.

It would be nice if Apache also supplied a Wi-Fi antenna. Note that this would not be recommended for those running Thetis, for that use the GigE LAN port. If I was getting one I'd make a dedicated connection from the LAN port to my PC, and have the PC and Pi using Wi-Fi for internet access.

The real mystery is what kind of "XLR" connector will actually be on the rear panel, for those that wish to use it.
KC2QMA
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KC2QMA » Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:46 pm

w-u-2-o wrote:The real mystery is what kind of "XLR" connector will actually be on the rear panel, for those that wish to use it.

So far from the picture it looks like a Mini Male XLR 3pin but can not say for sure as the picture is a bit fuzzy.
It would be nice if we can get some basic info on the I/O for the new radios.
ct1iqi
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby ct1iqi » Thu Jul 06, 2023 6:12 pm

KC2QMA wrote:
w-u-2-o wrote:The real mystery is what kind of "XLR" connector will actually be on the rear panel, for those that wish to use it.

So far from the picture it looks like a Mini Male XLR 3pin but can not say for sure as the picture is a bit fuzzy.
It would be nice if we can get some basic info on the I/O for the new radios.

Indeed, my condenser microphone needs a bias voltage of 8-12V. Hope that can be provided through the microphone connector.
IK2LRN
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby IK2LRN » Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:24 pm

Hi, since the hardware, and unfortunately not pcb, is open source can you please share the Saturn schematics ?
Thanks, 73
Luca Ik2lrn
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KI4P
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KI4P » Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:25 pm

would be nice if they updated the web page with a current pic of front and back and a list of connectors, also some type of startup hint, since this is a new beast, call me dumb but sometimes i cant make heads or tales of the forum.
Richard - KI4P
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby w-u-2-o » Fri Jul 07, 2023 5:03 pm

Thetis posts moved to Thetis sub-forum: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4699
KC2QMA
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby KC2QMA » Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:13 am

I would also like to see a pin-out of all of the connectors on the G2-100W so I will know what I need to make up cables.
At this point there should be some basic documentation for these new radios. I understand if a proper manual has not been created but we need some basic info on the connectors. I would like to have everything ready for when the new G2 arrives.
W4WMT
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby W4WMT » Sun Aug 06, 2023 12:08 pm

Hi Laurence,
I remember, from your SDRA 2022 presentation, that you were favoring 4096-byte DMA transfers on the PCIe bus for the various streaming channels within Saturn. Did you finally settle on that number, or were there further refinements?
73,
Bryan W4WMT
laurencebarker
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby laurencebarker » Sun Aug 06, 2023 3:01 pm

We never found a need to move from 4096 byte. We can transfer data from all DDCs at full speed with that setting. It's easy enough to change if needed though.

The DMA size is a balance:
small transfers are inefficient because several software driver steps are needed, and below 4096 bytes the transfer time isn't affected by byte count. So there is no point going lower.
Large transfers are more software efficient but incur more latency.

One change that I made - and I think it was already in place by SDRA2022- is to multiplex all DDC streams into a single DMA. This avoids issues of sharing DMA engines and waiting for one to become available. That was a reasonably complex bit of Verilog but it transformed the transfer process.
Laurence Barker G8NJJ
laurencebarker
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Re: Saturn: A New Apache Labs SDR Transceiver (ANAN-G2)

Postby laurencebarker » Sun Aug 06, 2023 3:05 pm

Oh... that was for DDC transfers. the mic, speaker and TX I/Q transfers can have different sizes. Speaker data seems to be fixed at 256 bytes.
Laurence Barker G8NJJ

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