siLABS RADIO PLUGIN

307SW_NLD · 05-20-2007, 03:16 PM

Got myself two of the siLABS USB Radio Tuners about two weeks ago and was very impressed by the quality of the tuners. Decided to make an extension plugin for Road Runner because I was missing my NEWS and TRAFFIC functionality with this tuner. I'm listening to MP3's most of the time but I like to be interrupted by NEWS broadcasts and TRAFFIC announcements.

I made the plugin as modular as possible. This means I can easily make the plugin work with other tuner hardware as well. Or I can switch out the plugin module by an application (I use this for testing)

The following picture shows the architecture of the plugin:

Functions and Features

FM
Station presets
- For FM currently 30 station presets can be stored. These stations are divided in block of ten stations (1-10) that can be switched to using the radio_band command.
AF
- Manual – When the signal strength is getting poor you can use the the AF indicator the manually switch to a alternate frequency of the selected station using the AF list.
- Automatic (not available yet) – When the signal is getting below a predefined signal level this function will automatically try to switch to a stronger alternate frequency.
News
- In the event of a news broadcast where the station switches the PTY to NEWS and when enabled in the plugin, Road Runner will pause playing any media and the volume will be set to a predefined value and the tuner will be unmute for the duration of the news broadcast. After that RR will resume playing media.
Traffic
- In the event of a traffic announcement (TA) and when enabled in the plugin, Road Runner will pause playing any media and the volume will be set to a predefined value and the tuner will be unmute for the duration of the traffic announcement. After that RR will resume playing media.
EON
- Not fully implemented in this version.
TMC
- Not implemented in this version.
All functions and information available using commands, labels and indicators from Road Runner
Multiple tunerhardware support (as of now only siLABS. HQCT will follow soon)

You can download the plugin from http://gpsirda.dyndns.org/iceRadio/i...o_ver1.0.6.zip. Included in the zip file is an example skin and documentation for editing existing skins.

Version Control

Version 1.0.1

Initial version

Version 1.0.6

Fixed settings for NEW and TRAFFIC not getting saved
Ini file now using $RRPATH setting of Road Runner
Improved RDS Decoding for STATION NAME (PS)
TRAFFIC and NEWS detection improved
Fixed Object Required Error

Any comments, request are more than welcome....

Enforcer · 05-20-2007, 03:53 PM

I thought CDR had already made in native?

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/road...oadrunner.html

307SW_NLD · 05-21-2007, 04:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

I thought CDR had already made in native?

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/road...oadrunner.html

Yep, I know...

But I like to explain a bit more why I developed this one:

1. Should we build all current and future (radio) hardware into Road Runner natively?

a. I do not believe this to be the best option. I can only imagine the time Guino is spending developing and merging new features into RR. Having to support all types of hardware will make the software more complex. If we want to keep RR as stable as it is now, we should not make the software more complex.

b. By using some kind of modulairity it is possible to develop new functionality in parallel. Guino does not have to merge the code into the base version of RR. I believe this is the reason why Guino introduced the extension plugin capability. People will only have to load the functionality they need into RR. This will also reduce the use of CPU power, memory usage, etc....

2. Cdr has been doing an awefull lot of work

But he has several projects going om at the same time (still hoping that he will continue FreeDrive2) and stated himself that more functionality for siLABS will be a matter of weeks. Maybe this will offload him a bit?

3. The plugin has new functionality that RR does not natively support (yet)

I have been using the NEWS and TRAFFIC functionality for a while now using my HQCT extension plugin and REALLY NEED THIS (sorry, carried away a bit but you will understand if you know how traffic can be in the Netherlands) when using the siLABS tuner. I'm also planning on bringing in even more functionality. (what do you think about recording the latest NEWS broadcast and TRAFFIC announcement when you do not want to get interrupted when listing to your favorite album). I also want this plugin to take fully advantage of al the RDS/EON/TMC functionality (will need some help on the TMC part). When doing this in RR this will mean that you will have to implement full RDS support.

I intend to support the extension plugin fully. I will be accepting requests for new functionality and will do bug fixes (in any

).

GuMiSZu · 05-21-2007, 04:56 AM

Hi !
If you could use the ADS/SILABS compatible dll source: for ADS support.
THX, Guino has the source, or i'll send you it.

almera · 05-21-2007, 06:07 AM

Thanks for the effort, I'm already using "Velleman K8055 Plugin for Road Runner" good work.

I wonder if scrambled RDS data issue in RR native Silabs has been resolved with your plugin?

Keep up good work, cheers

CdRsKuLL · 05-21-2007, 06:11 AM

nice work m8.. will keep a watch :-) Guino is very willing to help coders integrate things into RR and I'm sure he would be the same for you. And your right I do have too many projects on the go.. lol

CdR

Enforcer · 05-21-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 307SW_NLD

Yep, I know...

But I like to explain a bit more why I developed this one:

1. Should we build all current and future (radio) hardware into Road Runner natively?

a. I do not believe this to be the best option. I can only imagine the time Guino is spending developing and merging new features into RR. Having to support all types of hardware will make the software more complex. If we want to keep RR as stable as it is now, we should not make the software more complex.

b. By using some kind of modulairity it is possible to develop new functionality in parallel. Guino does not have to merge the code into the base version of RR. I believe this is the reason why Guino introduced the extension plugin capability. People will only have to load the functionality they need into RR. This will also reduce the use of CPU power, memory usage, etc....

Kind of agree with that, but seeing as something is already native inside RR, it's a bit silly then having a plugin for the same thing

Anyway since radio as a whole is already in RR another subroutine that is only active if selected is not going to slow the program down.

Now if it was a totally new function that added extra code to be run constantly then yes, having it as a plugin would be better.

Quote: Originally Posted by 307SW_NLD

2. Cdr has been doing an awefull lot of work

But he has several projects going om at the same time (still hoping that he will continue FreeDrive2) and stated himself that more functionality for siLABS will be a matter of weeks. Maybe this will offload him a bit?

Yep he is a busy boy.

Quote: Originally Posted by 307SW_NLD

3. The plugin has new functionality that RR does not natively support (yet)

I have been using the NEWS and TRAFFIC functionality for a while now using my HQCT extension plugin and REALLY NEED THIS (sorry, carried away a bit but you will understand if you know how traffic can be in the Netherlands*) when using the siLABS tuner. I'm also planning on bringing in even more functionality. (what do you think about recording the latest NEWS broadcast and TRAFFIC announcement when you do not want to get interrupted when listing to your favorite album). I also want this plugin to take fully advantage of al the RDS/EON/TMC functionality (will need some help on the TMC part). When doing this in RR this will mean that you will have to implement full RDS support.

I intend to support the extension plugin fully. I will be accepting requests for new functionality and will do bug fixes (in any

).

New functions are all welcome, but again seeing as it is already in RR and as you say CDR is busy, why not expand on his code that is already in RR.

We already had two competing solutions before with the gas plugin, we don't want everyone competing with code in or out of RR. Better to work together.

BTW not putting a negative on yourk work, just think it would be better for consolidation rather than seperation.

*if you know how traffic can be in the Netherlands

Seen the traffic cams

307SW_NLD · 05-21-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

Kind of agree with that, but seeing as something is already native inside RR, it's a bit silly then having a plugin for the same thing

Anyway since radio as a whole is already in RR another subroutine that is only active if selected is not going to slow the program down.

Now if it was a totally new function that added extra code to be run constantly then yes, having it as a plugin would be better.

I think that's the whole point. If you want to implement all the RDS functions you will need to constantly process all the RDS messages that are being received by the tuner. Even when your watching DVD, playing a game or listing to MP3. This is what the plugin in the background is doing, while RR is doing it's own stuff... Decoding the RDS Stationname and Radiotext was just the easy part...

The structure of the software does allow the software to be integrated in Road Runner. Since the software is written in VB6 you can just add the modules in RoadRunner. Only a few functions need to be called from Road Runner to these modules. But technically the code is allready part of Road Runner as Road Runner uses the plugin to extend it's functionality but the code is just compiled in a DLL in stead of into the RoadRunnner.exe

Quote:

New functions are all welcome, but again seeing as it is already in RR and as you say CDR is busy, why not expand on his code that is already in RR.

We already had two competing solutions before with the gas plugin, we don't want everyone competing with code in or out of RR. Better to work together.

BTW not putting a negative on yourk work, just think it would be better for consolidation rather than seperation.

Road Runner is kind of getting to complex for me...

Futhermore... It's not my intention to compete in any way with CDR. I know I will loose.

But I had two options: keep the plugin to myself or share it you all.
But in my option: using extension plugins is also a way to work together to expand functionality of Road Runner... You can make different people responsible for different pieces of functionality without interfering with other code...

307SW_NLD · 05-21-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by GuMiSZu

Hi !
If you could use the ADS/SILABS compatible dll source: for ADS support.
THX, Guino has the source, or i'll send you it.

Can you send it to me?

gpsirda at tiscali dot nl

Thanks

307SW_NLD · 05-21-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by almera

Thanks for the effort, I'm already using "Velleman K8055 Plugin for Road Runner" good work.

I wonder if scrambled RDS data issue in RR native Silabs has been resolved with your plugin?

Keep up good work, cheers

It's one of my improvements on my list. So far no garbage but I want to show the text only when it's complete so you don't see the text being build up. I know how to resolve this but just wanted to release what I already have...

Sonicxtacy02 · 05-21-2007, 09:10 AM

cant wait to try this.. i'm not sure why but i cant see any rds data with the beta rr and the silabs unit. Hopefully this will change that.

ccsnet · 05-21-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 307SW_NLD

It's one of my improvements on my list. So far no garbage but I want to show the text only when it's complete so you don't see the text being build up. I know how to resolve this but just wanted to release what I already have...

...While you have the DLL source and your updating your plugin could you please have a look and see if there is a way resolving this problem I have with the unit not working ?

I'm pretty sure its the DLL and nothing else.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/1064248-post135.html

If you can resolve it I'll be able to use your plugin

Thanks

Terran

PS - I've bought two for the same reasons

almera · 05-21-2007, 05:34 PM

I just tried the siLABS RADIO PLUGIN, RDS text and station name is really improved. While I was at radio menu, switched to music, started to play a song then I realized both radio and music playing together. And then again returned to radio menu, selected a preset, I've got this error:

307SW_NLD · 05-22-2007, 03:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by almera

I just tried the siLABS RADIO PLUGIN, RDS text and station name is really improved. While I was at radio menu, switched to music, started to play a song then I realized both radio and music playing together. And then again returned to radio menu, selected a preset, I've got this error:

Can you tell me how you integrated the radio skin into your skin. What skin are you using? I like to test this.

almera · 05-22-2007, 03:41 AM

Just tested with BMV2 skin. Copied your radio skin into BMV2 skin, changed the radio button code from radio to iceradio. Using RR version 11/04/2007.
I tried with radio mode = 7 in RR.ini. Anything else you need?

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