G2 Ultra questions

[Trucker]

I know from a friend that the G2 Saturn with the front panel takes a bit to bootup. Not an unreasonable amount of time, but given that the new version ( Ultra) now includes an Arduno for the additional controls, I was wondering if it adds to the bootup time.
Plus, for updates, will the Arduno need updating along with the rest of the radio?
I am curious about the added complexity, if any, to updating the radio.
James
WD5GWY

[w-u-2-o]

I'm curious where you read that there is an Arduino in the Ultra?

Not that it matters. Arduino boot times are less than 10 seconds, i.e. far, far less than that required for the Pi to boot. It's not something that anyone would ever notice.

Every processor that requires firmware/software/gateware/whatever is ALWAYS added complexity. If there is some problem, bug or improvement in the Arduino code then there will be some process to updating the Arduino. If all it does is run the front panel then one might expect a few updates might be necessary immediately after product launch and bugs start to appear, but after that the necessity for upgrades should be unlikely.

[Trucker]

I read a post from Laurance somewhere describing the need of the Arduino for the extra controls for the Ultra. Here is a link to his Github account which mentions the Arduino.
https://github.com/laurencebarker/Satur ... 1e1f5225b0


James
WD5GWY

[Trucker]

Here's a quote concerning the new G2 Ultra from the groups.io Apache Labs mailing list.

Groups.io
Apache-Labs Ultra Messages

Re: Cancelled my order
Andrew ZL3DW
Jul 20
Another update. It has now been three months since I placed my order on the 17th April.

I got a PayPal invoice for the balance of payment a month ago. I paid the full balance thinking, "yipee it must be ready." But no such luck. However the invoice had Abhi's email address so I contacted him. I never get any emails from Apache Labs as a company. My payment went through fine, but the website has not been updated to show that I have paid the full price.

Abhi has been very good. He explained the hold up and has responded to my emails. He told me that the delay was due to the change to the new G2 'Ultra' model. My order has been upgraded to one of the new radios. He said that the radio is ready but requires software integration of the new Arduino board with the P2P, Thetis, piHPSDR software, and RPi firmware. A big task. The new radio should be exciting. It has a slightly bigger display and a few more buttons. Load has been taken off the RPi by moving responsibility for the knobs and buttons to an Arduino. Apparently the knobs on the radio will be able to control Thetis running on my PC. So that will be interesting.




James
WD5GWY

[Trucker]

There is a section of Laurance's Github projects page with docs and code for the Arduino being used in the new radio's front panel.
James
WD5GWY

Reading some of the docs it really is an eye opener how much work Laurance has put into this new radio and it's design. Lots of dedication!