**[Update 15 May 2021]** **ULARI Radio Interface** device was discontinued because the manufacturer of Linux-based boards for these devices (NanoPi Duo modules) stopped manufacturing them without any earlier notice. Please check out my [[hardware_eco_ri|ULARI ECO Radio Interface]] for similar functionality. ====== ULARI Radio Interface Hardware ====== ULARI Radio Interface is based on NanoPi Duo 256 MB module from FriendlyARM. The device consists of a microprocessor module and a motherboard with all necessary external components. The whole system includes: * **Radio 6-pin minidin connector (Microsat standard, WX3in1-like pinout)**, * A 100 Mbit Ethernet connector with surge protectors, * Two USB connectors with surge protectors, 5V/1A total current consumption (suitable for moderm LTE modems), * Wifi chip with external antenna, * RS-232 serial port (via 6-pin minidin connector), * DS18B20 thermometer connector, * Four leds informing about device operation, * SD CARD connector for operating system image. >This is not a standalone radio transceiver. You need a proper VHF or UHF amateur radio station to use the device for packet transmission and reception. === Technical parameters === * Dimensions (without connectors): 100x94x32mm, * Weight: 240g * Housing material: aluminium, PCB panels, * Radio connector: minidin 6-pin female (WX3in1-compatible cables), * Wifi connector: SMA female (antenna included), * Power connector: round 5.5/2.1mm (with plus at center), * Thermometer connector: terminal with screws, * Serial port connector: minidin 6-pin female (1 serial port), * Supply voltage: 8-14 VDC, * Power consumption (at 12V): 150mA (*) (*) Ethernet connected, Wifi disabled, no USB and serial current sink, direwolf daemon running with default settings. === ULARI Radio Interface photos === {{:ulari_interface_01.jpg?300|ULARI Radio Interface front view}} {{:ulari_interface_02.jpg?300|ULARI Radio Interface rear view}} {{:ulari_interface_03.jpg?300|ULARI Radio Interface PCB view}} {{:nanopiduo.jpg?200|ULARI Radio Interface NanoPi Duo module}} Radio 6-pin minidin socket is connected to microprocessor audio peripheral via a suitable analog frontend including necessary signal filtering, amplification and high frequency supression. === NanoPi Duo pinout === NanoPi Duo pinout diagram with with description of used pins. {{:nano_pinout.jpg?|NanoPi Duo pinout diagram}} === Rear panel RS-232 port pinout === RS-232 port can be used to connect any serial port devices with RS-232 voltage levels. Devices with low current consumption can also be powered from this connector. [[http://microsat.com.pl/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=171|GPS-RS232/Microsat/2]] is compatible and works nice. {{:minidin.png?|Minidin 6 pinout}} * Pin 1 – 5V output, do not short-circuit, max. current 100mA, * Pin 2 – GND, * Pin 3 – hard-wired to negative voltage for WS-2300/WS-2350 weather station support, * Pin 4 – RS-232 Port 2 TXD, * Pin 5 – RS-232 Port 2 RXD, * Pin 6 – not used. === Front panel RADIO port pinout === RADIO port pinout is the same as in Microsat WX3in1 and PLXTracker/PLXDigi line of devices. Cables can be used interchangeably. {{:minidin.png?|Minidin 6 pinout}} * Pin 1 - not connected, * Pin 2 - APRS audio output from the device to the microphone input of the radio. This output also acts as a PTT by shorting pin to ground through a 2k2 resistor - an option for portable radios that do not have a separate PTT input (selectable in configuration software, 2k2 resistor is built-in), * Pin 3 - not connected, * Pin 4 - APRS audio input from radio to WX3in1, * Pin 5 - Ground pin, * Pin 6 - PTT output - if the external PTT output is selected in device configuration, this pin is shorted to ground while broadcasting. === ULARI test equipment === As an example of an operational ULARI Radio Interface device let's look at my test equipment: {{:operation.jpg?direct&300|ULARI Radio Interface test environment}} And some details about the equipment: * This ULARI Radio Interface connects to Motorola GM-300 via front panel mic/speaker connector, * It acts as an I-Gate, * It connects to the internet via Huawei E3372h-153 modem in hi-link mode (hi-link modems show as a virtual USB network card for operating system, which simplifies things a lot), * It acts as a Wifi access-point for my workshop, providing internet connection via LTE modem, * Despite of the fact that 3G/LTE modems don't have a public IP in Poland, it is accessible from every place in a world thanks to OpenVPN technology working on top of Linux operating system. === ULARI as an APRS Tracker === And with a little more command-line work and my [[http://microsat.com.pl/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=171|GPS-RS232/Microsat/2]] receiver connected to rear panel RS-232 port, it can also become: * An APRS Tracker with Smartbeaconing (more info here: [[aprstracker|GPS and APRS Tracker settings]]). {{:tracker.jpg?300|ULARI Radio Interface path on aprs.fi}}