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D-STAR and the VoIP WX Net. Tony Langdon VK3JED January 4, 2009. Contents. What is D-STAR? What can D-STAR do? DD and DV Gateways and Gateway Routing D-Plus - Enhanced Features DV Dongle Current EMCOMM Usage Strategies to Incorporate D-STAR into VoIP WX Net Identify D-STAR Gateways
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D-STAR and the VoIP WX Net Tony Langdon VK3JEDJanuary 4, 2009
Contents • What is D-STAR? • What can D-STAR do? • DD and DV • Gateways and Gateway Routing • D-Plus - Enhanced Features • DV Dongle • Current EMCOMM Usage • Strategies to Incorporate D-STAR into VoIP WX Net • Identify D-STAR Gateways • Utilise the DV Dongle • Link D-STAR to IRLP/EchoLink • D-STAR is here, we need to adapt • Questions?
What is D-STAR? D-STAR is a new digital voice and data network for Amateur use. • Developed by JARL • Currently marketed by ICOM • On air protocol is open and published by JARL • Digital from end to end
What can D-STAR do? • DD and DV • Gateways and Gateway Routing • D-Plus - Enhanced Features • DV Dongle
DD and DV DD is the high speed digital data mode. • 128kbps • TCP/IP capable - can run web browsers, etc. • Global reach via the Gateway network • Available on 1.2 GHz only DV is a simultaneous voice/low speed mode. • 4.8kbps total bitrate • Voice 2400bps with 1200bps FEC • Voice uses proprietary AMBE vocoder • Data channel supports D-PRS, text messaging and data transfer • Several third party applications make use of data channel, including "digital SSTV" and text chat
Gateways and Gateway Routing Gateways utilise the Internet to provide global D-STAR connectivity. • DD mode implemented as a global IP network over VPN • DV mode uses callsign based "source routing" • MY - My callsign (e.g. VK3JED) • UR - destination callsign • Plain callsign - destination is user (e.g. NU5D) • /CALL - route via specified radio port (e.g. /K5TIT B) • R1 - Local radio port (e.g. VK3RWN A) • R2 - Local gateway (e.g. VK3RWN G) • Called station must setup reciprocal route to communicate with calling station - One touch reply. • Multicast - allows up to 10 gateways to form a net.
D-Plus - Enhanced Gateway Features D-Plus, written by Robin AA4RC, adds another layer of functionality to the D-STAR system, including: • Gateway linking - similar to IRLP node-node connections • Reflector linking - similar to IRLP reflectors • DV Dongle connections • DV Dongle is a piece of hardware that connects to a USB port and provides the AMBE vocoder • Allows PC based users to connect to D-Plus enabled gateways and reflectors • Means of accessing D-STAR where no local gateway exists
Current EMCOMM Usage D-STAR is already being utilised for SKYWARN/EMCOMM applications. • SE US has significant D-STAR infrastructure. • SE SKYWARN Net on REF002 A • Implications for VoIP WX Net, need to get reports from D-STAR users to NHC.
Strategies to Incorporate D-STAR into VoIP WX Net To increase our D-STAR capabilities, we can consider: • Identify local gateways and obtain D-STAR capable radios. • Utilise the DV Dongle • If there is no local gateway. • As an alternative to the local gateway. • Link the VoIP WX Net to D-STAR • Analog gateway possible utilising D-STAR radio for reflector based nets. • Digital audio linking technology exists, but currently controversial. • Linking is not an option when only routing is used.
D-STAR - EchoLink/IRLP Interoperability Interoperability between D-STAR and the existing IRLP and EchoLink technologies is of great potential benefit to the VoIP WX Net. However, there are currently a few challenges that are hindering its implementation. The technology exists - It CAN be done. However: • Similar issues to those raised by linking IRLP to EchoLink. • Current implementations are controversial and early efforts lacked sufficient administrator controls. • D-STAR community has reacted poorly to these efforts, due in part to how they have been implemented and tested, and partly because of community resistance. • New strategy to achieve interoperability is needed - http://vk3jed.blogspot.com has some ideas.
D-STAR is here! D-STAR is here, and we need to be in a position to work with D-STAR users. • Some groups are already using D-STAR - SE SKYWARN • D-STAR is integral to EMCOMM planning in some states • Additional data capabilities of D-STAR offer new opportunities • Broaden our selection of tools • Legacy analog systems are not going away in a hurry - We will be working with both for a long time. • EMCOMM community needs to work with D-STAR community and software developers to restart interoperability efforts.