Hacked HU with RDS/RDBS

FMode · 11-22-2005, 04:07 PM

(Crossposting this - sry admin)

In arragement with Rando/Seth/... I can present my Radio:

I have hacked/am hacking a Grundig R 100 CarStereo - it is technically equal to the Opel CAR200 (Opel is a GM trademark in Europe) the Opel was built in several models: Astra and Corsa (,...) around 1995 until 1999.
The reception of the Grundig is very good but It doesn't have a cassette nor a cdplayer (i am sure this doesn't matter

).

It offers FM, MW (is that interesting in the US?) and LW.
To control the Radio I have to replace the f*** NEC Processor with an Atmel and a PLL. Look at my Visio drawings *...

Does the radio work in the US ?
- the frequncy can be tuned easily from 60-120Mhz
- the RDS decoder also works with RDBS (certainly i can't test this

)

I have manged to get the PLL running and now I am just working at the RDS preprocessing stage ...

What about software-support:
I have developed a Hardware-Abstraction-Layer which works for ALL RADIOS (yes also for Rando/Seth's...) especially for Frontends.
(to get the drivers out of the frontends which makes me

- are printerdrivers in MS Office ???)
More information here:
FMRadioHAL
(i will soon present my HAL into the Developers Corner...)

You ask me "damm are you stupid ? - where should we get your Grundig ?"
Easy I think

just buy from me !
I will sell a PCB DIY Kit WITH Radio

for around 50-120 Euros without shipping (!).
I can also assemble it for a fee.

Currently I am getting "cold feet" with my Grundig source and I am planning to order an amount to prevent that they run out of stock (Radios are from Bankruptcy) - I will buy an AMOUNT of them THIS week.

So i need your interests (not orders ) NOW !
(and this is the reason why i post here)
---------------------------------------------

*=Translations (i am too lazy to redesign the Visio):
Feldstärke: Fieldstrength of current station
Tasten: Keys
"Brei" is what Babys eat (this D17003 suxx

to combine a CPU and a PLL: IDIOTS!)
Meine Platine: my PCB which has to be placed (with screws) inside the radio
Mono erzwingen: Force MONO

FMode · 11-22-2005, 05:04 PM

ok lets try it like this...

What are the Goals of this project? What will this thing do?

A PC controlled AM/FM radio
Reception quality comparable to a car radio head unit - its a headunit
RDS/RBDS decoded data output
Control via Serial
2 channel analog audio output
Powered self
Automotive antenna connector
Low power
Inexpensive IMHO
Integration with common CarPC front end software
Parts available as kits
Open hardware and software design.

How does it work? Can I get a schematic? Can I get the source code? Can I get the layout in xyz format? What's left to be done?

simple:
Yes !
The schematic for the Grundig is available on:
http://codedradio.info/manuals/grundig/

I have released an alpha driver of my FMRadioHAL (+sources):
http://netsh88.hades.net-build.de/fmode/radiohal/

What bands will the radio tune?

FM, MW, LW

How much will it cost?

50-120 Euros

Can I buy this assembled? Can I buy a kit? Can I do this myself?

simple:
Yes !
and it includes the HU

Can I preorder a kit now?

NO!
But show me your interest in it - i NEED to calculate the amounts of radios i have to order and my source runs out of stock quickly !
(BTW: the radios are new and are still sealed

)

Will this card output digital audio over USB?

No!

Other PC radios suck in the car. Reception wanders in and out and is otherwise horrendous. Will this one be better?
It is (was) a HU

What software will this work with?

Every frontend which supports my FMRadioHAL (in development too).
Frontend coders can start AT ONCE integrating FMRadioHAL - because i have an "evaluation" driver for Radiator !

Will I be able to hook this to my car's antenna?

Yes its a Head Unit

Will this board control my power antenna? I don't like it extended when I'm not listening to the radio.

I am (will) using an Atmega8 with lots of free ports...

Can I help?

Yes ! write a RDS preprocessor (in .NET on the PC or in Assembler on the Atmel) which:
- doesn't ignore the RDS phase jump

(ALL free RDS preprocessors-sources in the net do it)
- corrects bit errors up to 5 bits

Thanks from me and more people which are hacking HU's !

What is the project status ?
I have manged to set a frequency from my PC (into the PLL).
I am currently

ing at the RDS preprocessor sources i have to improve them - so that they are usefull...

Wiredwrx · 11-22-2005, 07:43 PM

I am interested. Sounds interesting, but of course, will want to see it IN ACTION.

Michael

SnyperBob · 11-22-2005, 08:03 PM

This is one of the most ambitious undertakings next to some of the front ends around here. This is interesting and I'll be sure to keep an eye on this thread

I'll be interested in picking up one of your kits and testing it out - please keep the price reasonable

Good luck, I'll try to keep up on this thread, otherwise PM me when they are for sale

Maximus · 11-23-2005, 12:48 AM

The size is my main consern, I really dont have room for such a thing,
assuming that it'll be just the bare PCB from the HU and not the whole HU, the it'll be even worse.

BUT, it's not like there is an option out there either, with the supply problems of the tuners for the other projects, they're not availible yet.
So I guess one have to make room for it, somehow...

I'm in

/M

kingtut · 11-23-2005, 02:06 AM

Sounds promising - count me in.

lchatela · 11-23-2005, 04:15 AM

Hello,
I am really interested.
I have a cinergy but:
- reception is not as good as HU
- RDS does not track alternative frequency.
I have a BMW and tried to get info from HU using the ibus but i does seem to work

I am insterested if:
- the RDS shows on the fornt end
- the RDS switch automatically the frequency as in every HU

I can perhaps help you on sofware development but not hardware, so I you need help, tell me...

FMode · 11-23-2005, 07:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SnyperBob

This is one of the most ambitious undertakings next to some of the front ends around here. This is interesting and I'll be sure to keep an eye on this thread

I'll be interested in picking up one of your kits and testing it out - please keep the price reasonable

...

Thx
...and yes certainly

Quote: Originally Posted by Maximus

The size is my main consern, I really dont have room for such a thing,
assuming that it'll be just the bare PCB from the HU and not the whole HU, the it'll be even worse.

It will fit inside my trunk/boot of my Polo and so it will fit in your car

(or do you "matchbox" ?

)
Certainly you can remove the casing and frontpanel if you want

I only need the main-pcb.

Quote: Originally Posted by Maximus

BUT, it's not like there is an option out there either, with the supply problems of the tuners for the other projects, they're not availible yet.
So I guess one have to make room for it, somehow...

Yes my project can not "follow" Rando/Seth/...

- it's a "between" solution.
In December 2004 I started to hack a VW Alpha (in mind that if anyone wants to copy he may fetch one at his local car dump...)
As I heard of Seth/Rando/...

i stopped at once because their solution is much nicer. Now I am back with a Grundig - which I got very cheap in "amounts".

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

...IN ACTION...

I will record a testdrive...

Quote: Originally Posted by lchatela edit:sorry

I am insterested if:
- the RDS shows on the fornt end
- the RDS switch automatically the frequency as in every HU

You wanna insult me ???

FMRadioHAL fires events if a RDS Message is transmitted from the radio - the RDS Message is passed as parameter (4x16bit)
So you can update your radio-display in your eventhandler.
These datas are preprocessed so you have to look (and extract) the Groups you like (TMC, EON, ...).
The Radio itself looks only for AF Groups to offer Autotuning in case of a weak signal.
BTW: I like discussions about .NET ...

ShawJohn · 11-23-2005, 07:59 AM

excellent work. I'm interested and will follow this thread

rustyboxx · 11-23-2005, 03:48 PM

Wiredwrx · 11-23-2005, 03:54 PM

Hey,

Not like it matters THAT MUCH, but you attributed a quote to me that I did not say. Just thought you should know.

Michael

Kamakazie2 · 11-23-2005, 04:00 PM

Im in..

bugiman · 11-23-2005, 04:10 PM

I'm a .net programmer, tell me more and maybe i can help out on the software

DaveDog · 11-24-2005, 04:15 PM

Wow, this is great!

If I remember correctly MW band in the UK = AM in the US, am I correct?

Does the Grundig r100 radio support AM stereo (MW stereo)?

I'll admit I do not know what the LW band is.

Since schematics are available, and you are replacing the processor, ...

someone could find out if the required parts are sourceable, ...

someone could possibly produce a slimmed down schematic, ...

and someone could come up with a slimmed down circuit board layout, etc...

Pishaa · 11-25-2005, 11:03 AM

I will most certainly buy one when its finished.