USB FM Radio with RDS/RBDS

**skippy76** · 09-09-2004, 11:11 AM

Now, before I begin I know there is a similar project being done at the moment. However, the poject that I'm looking at is intended to keep it simple.

So the project that I'm looking at (but need help with) is a FM Radio receiver that can be controlled over USB and also provide the RDS / RDBS data over the same USB connection to the PC.

I've been looking online and quite frankly it should not be too difficult to create a radio that can be controlled over USB (just like the D-Link), but also plan on trying to provide RDS.

Any thoughts? (or help and suggestions?)

**antimatter** · 09-09-2004, 11:16 AM

Why recreate the wheel?

The reason Seth has undertook the project was becasue that there was nothing available (with any decent reception)

So... you will have to build your own from scratch.

I would just wait on what seth produces, he is very close to prototyping

**Seth** · 09-09-2004, 11:41 AM

Hello skippy76

Even though I don't understand why you decided to create something like that now and with another identical project on development, I wish you good luck and I look forward to what you can provide.
If you need any help or advice PM me. I'll be happy to help if I can.

**GWRedDragon** · 09-09-2004, 11:48 AM

The ghetto solution: Slap a phidget controller onto the button wires for a $10 walkman. Then again, in the ghetto they don't have RDS.

**rando** · 09-09-2004, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by skippy76

Now, before I begin I know there is a similar project being done at the moment. However, the poject that I'm looking at is intended to keep it simple.

How will it be simpler than Seth's project?

**skippy76** · 09-09-2004, 05:55 PM

Not sure how or if it will be simpler... that's why I thought I would take a look into it.

Seth: I will probably end up using your solution, however, your project got me interested in seeing what RDS deocders are out there.

**rando** · 09-09-2004, 06:20 PM

ok, I was just wondering what you were wanting to do differently. You said you intend to keep it simple. IMHO, there is no simpler solution that what Seth is proposing. Essentially what he has done is found some suitable chips and will be connecting them directly to the m10k via their native bus. If the reception is good, then he will add a USB interface. I'm pretty sure that's exactly what you have in mind. Isn't it?

**skippy76** · 09-10-2004, 10:12 AM

Sounds about right. Thanks for the info...

**madmangler** · 11-22-2004, 12:38 PM

Skippy, if I read right, you were wanting to build a pure USB solution? That would be attactive since I believe Seth's project will use a the analog Line-In since the components they chose only produce analog audio data.

Seth, please correct me if I am wrong (I'd like to be).

**rando** · 11-22-2004, 05:16 PM

You are right, there's no way around producing analog audio for AM/FM decoding. An A/D step will allow the audio data to travel over USB but just geting AM/FM decoding working reliably from within a car is challenging enough. The main problem is the tuner ICs that are available (and associated components) are not readily available in small quantities.