Band Decoder & Translation Modes
A very full featured band decoder was added to the RF Wattmeter. It is a natural fit since the wattmeter needs band information to load calibration table since all such measurements are frequency dependent. Ways to automate this band change provide operator convenience. Adding more ways to receive band information makes the product more useful and can solve equipment control problems in the process.
The Arduino Teensy 4.1 version has 1x 6 bit input port and 3x 8-bit output ports. The number of bits per port is arbitrary. The choice of 6 bits on the input allow for normal BCD on 2-4 bits, and 1-of-8 band selection from a mechanical switch. The output ports can also be configured to operate in transparent (typically 4-bit BCD) or 1-of-8 mode. The other ports are for analog sources like voltage, current and temperature and RF power. A few more pins are assigned to PTT and CW outputs and Nextion serial connection. There are 55 IO pins on a 4.1 board. 50 are assigned. The PSoC5 version is about the same and as of 12/2020 is waiting to get updated to the same level for the Band decode feature set.
The Desktop App is used to configure all the Band decoder features over the USB serial connection. I will have the same ability on the Nextion display soon enough.
A cool feature is the variety of translation modes for every port except as noted. Each port generally has 5 translation modes.
a. For input port read input as presented.
b. For output ports write the input value direct to the output if enabled on that port.
a. For input ports look for the first high bit and grab the value.
b. For output ports the input value's is converted a demuxed value. Only one port pin goes high.
The pin number matches the value. Valid values are 0-7 equating to pins 0-7).
a. For the input port it is used to search the Cal_table for a band with a matching record then change to that band
b. For an output port write the pattern stored in that bands Port X field. Enables can use this to emulate BCD or 1 of 8 type operation also.
c. Can set a pattern to split the bits (thus pin) to operate multiple equipment on each band change.
d. This is one way to link all 3 output ports to each band change. You can change bands while the Config Screen is up and the custom values will
update to that band's values.
e. Port C will ignore AUX2 commands when it is set to the is mode. The port follows the band change (from any source).
a. Output Ports only. AUX 1 is mapped to Port A and Port B. AUX2 is mapped to Port C so it is independent of any other source of band changes.
b. Will use the band matching AUXx value's custom value field on the output pins. Ignores the actual band change process. Similar to Custom but only
for Port A and B.
c. Changing AUX2 will use the Port C values per band and does not affect Port A or B. In Custom mode Port C follows the band change, here it does
not.
d. This is a way to link up Ports A and B output ports if each ports is first configured with a custom mode value that is the same (per band). You
can change bands while the Config Screen is up and the custom values will update to that bands values.
e. If Disable OTRSP Band Change is active, The band will not change on AUX1 commands. All ports (with this feature enabled) will update according to
the received AUXx value. This makes the port follow N1MM commands only without changing bands using the band's custom values for each port, per
band.
a. Output Ports only. AUX 1 is mapped to Port A and Port B. AUX2 is mapped to Port C.
b. Ignores any band relationship though the band will still change unless the Disable OTRSP Band Change option is on.
The value from the AUX command is directly presented on the port pins.
a. Enabled by default. The band will change to match a new OTRSP AUX1 (only) command if sent.
AUX 2 never changes the Decoder band, just Port C.
b. When Disabled, OTRSP messages do not change bands. AUX commands still apply to the output ports when appropriate.
The Decoder still follows band changes from other sources.
c. This makes the decoder an extension of N1MM directly controlling the 3 ports, A+B by AUX1 and Port C by AUX2 ignoring other sources.
If the decoder receives band change info from other sources like the Desktop App or the Input Port, possibly initiated by N1MM via
a radio control port connection, then the decoder band will change and the results should look the same as OTRSP Direct. If there are
no other sources active then N1MM has complete control. If this is what you need then do not operate the Desktop App buttons and
consider not connecting the hardware input port. Can get the same effect if all 3 ports were set for OTRSP Direct.
a. Any of the output ports with translation modes set to Transparent, 1-of-8, or Custom can now follow PTT. The 2 options are for Active High
and Active Low. This feature is useful to route PTT signals to specific equipment such as a LNA, transverter or amplifier.
b. A logical enhancement would be to have configurable delays for each for sequencing. For example, Port A selects a transverter, Port B is
transverter PTT, Port C is remote LNA switch. Port A acts 1st, followed by Port C on PTT then Port B. Classic sequencer scenario.
a. Config is done via the Desktop App, later the Nextion screen also.
It is possible to run both the Nextion and the OLED screens, as well as the Desktop App.
This is the Desktop App Configuration page with the new Band Decoder settings at the bottom area.
A 0.96" OLED SSD1306 display modified to display both RF power and Band Decoder status
