Hello,
Here are some news about NPR - New Packet Radio.
I have made a big update of the firmware. Check it here:
https://hackaday.io/project/164092-npr-new-packet-radio
The main evolution is a great improvement of the radio sensitivity. If
you have noticed lack of sensitivity, it will help, for sure!
In fact, I have switched to GFSK instead of GMSK, with double frequency
deviation compared to GMSK.
After studying it in details, we have concluded that the radio chip that
I use (SI4463) is quite bad at GMSK demodulation.
This evolution makes it (of course) not compatible with previous
version! You have to update all your modems at the same time.
The bit per hertz ratio decreases, and I managed it like this:
* for low symbol rates with bandwidth constraints, I remain in
existing constraints (100kHz for modulation 20, 200kHz for modulations
11 dans 21)
* for higher symbol rates, the SR is the same than before, and the
radio bandwidth is increased.
Check all new version of documentation, release notes, etc...
Other improvements:
* I now publish a firmware for the 144-148MHz band (you need adequate
radio modules of course).
* Frequency setting resolution is improved to 1kHz (instead of
previously 40kHz).
* RSSI is now displayed in "dBm"
The next step of development will be frequency shift and FDD (Frequency
Division Duplex) feature. The uplink and downlink frequency could be
different, and you will be able to install 2 modems at Master side (one
for RX the other for TX) plus a duplexer. The main goal is to be able to
locate a NPR Master (repeater) in places (towers) where shift repeaters
are already present.
Finaly, about the kits sale, a new world-wide sale will probably start
before end of october. I will keep you informed.
73,
Guillaume F4HDK