Reading through the forums I see that there seems to be some interest in dedicated spectrum analyser software for the RSP series of SDR radios. I have been working on such an application for the past few months and it is now starting to get a stage stage where I hope to be able to release a beta version. The Alpha version is reasonably well house-trained, but not quiet yet at a stage where it can be safely introduced to polite society
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Everyone will likely have their own ideas about what such software should be able to do, and what the user interface should look like. Bearing that in mind, I've pasted some images here that should give an idea of where the project stands at this point in time. I'd welcome any ideas as to what such software should be able to do, and what sort of user interface would be best suited. I have to do a bit of a re-write so I may be able to incorporate any useful suggestions.
The controls layout is not cast in stone, it just evolved as I wrote various bits of code. I have avoided lots of drop-down menus, and tried to leave all controls instantly accessible for ease of use. Some of the control panel data is for debugging only and will be removed.
I am including a tracking generator that uses a DDS module controlled by an Arduino module. The code for this is already written for a vector network analyser project I was working on and just needs porting to this application. Calibration mode will sweep the full frequency range of the DDS and RSP in set steps, taking an amplitude measurement for each step. This data will be stored and later used to normalise data when the generator is used in tracking mode. The same principal should work for a wide band noise source. In time I would like to merge my VNA project with the spectrum analyser, resulting in a usefeful tool to have.
Currently the application includes (or will include)the following - in no particular order of importance:
* The ability to save and recall complete setups - saved in classic INI files that are easy to read and/or edit.
* Take screen snapshots
* A and B cursor functions allowing frequency and levels to be measured, along with delta functions
* Optional on-screen display of sweep parameters and cursor data
* The ability to hide the control panels, allowing a full screen spectrum to be viewed
* Spectrum, waterfall, or mixed display
* Tracking generator
* Display may be frozen if required - cursors still fully functional on a frozen display
* Saving of the input IQ signal to a file, and reloading the signal for later analysis.
If all goes well, I hope to release a Beta version available in 3-4 weeks time. All ideas and comments will be gratefully received - I look forward to getting your various thoughts on this project.
Regards
Steve A
PS - It seems there is a limit of three image attachments so I am unable to include screenshots produced by the application. I'll try and post them later this week on this thread.