Portable Radio/Media Player

Deleted Project!!No interest & other's are saying that they have a better way, so I will see what projects that they can design and offer to Elektor.

Deleted Project!!

No interest & other's are saying that they have a better way, so I will see what projects that they can design and offer to Elektor.

Discussion (4 comments)

Elekreader 11 years ago

I think it is easier to make a player based on the Raspberry Pi B or A, if you use wifi for the radio part, or the Gnublin board.

On the gpio ports a lcd screen and buttons can be connected.

rsavas 12 years ago

I encourage you to design a product based on your experience & recommendations, so I say go for it, then post your final solution, costs etc, for all of us to review.

1 Comment(s)

Mikko Fagerlund 11 years ago

Hi!

I think this is absolutely the best project proposal and I'm looking forward to see how this project proceeds. Petrus wrote about the costs of the project like this and I wonder how expencive it is to built? He allso said that most of it has been done already, but I have tried to find something like this for few years now and I have not found anything even near advanced and sophisticated like this.

rsavas 12 years ago

Hello Mikkof, Thanks for your kind review. Yes, I looked around as well to see what the industry offers and did not see anyone with the same feature set. I believe that it is unique, which is part of my inspiration. It is at this time one of a kind, as I have only made one of the PCA's, so far. Took me quite a few evenings to hand solder it up and even more time to write the 1,000's of lines of code and test. I have the BOM loaded in Digi-Key BOM Manager. We are talking about a single PCA component costs in the ~$300 USD range , excluding the PCB which cost me $50 each for the two that I had made. So, like I said previously, this is not a toy nor a small project, as far as capabilities and costs go. Is it competitive, compared to what you can buy on the open market? I made damn sure that if I was going to lay out all this coin, that I would do my very best to make it work first time. Well like any prototype, you learn and discover. That is its purpose in the first place. Then, you look back and say, well, could have done this and that differently or they did not document that very well, so you have to do, this, instead. All part of the product development effort. If I was to go into production, I'd consider a few small minor design changes and of course have all the SW functioning to finalize the HW design. Lastly, get the mechanical design finalized as well, as that may affect the final PCB component layout parts placement for the controls, connectors located against the front and back panels. To be honest, the HW is just fine the way it is right now, for the large SW development effort to add even more SW features than the basic ones I have already! I have a long list of SW features to be added/tested before I contemplate a layout revision. Thanks Rick

1 Comment(s)

petrus bitbyter 11 years ago

It's a big, big project but most of it has been done already, so there's no challenge for me in it anymore. I agree with the Elektor people that it may be too complicated for the general reader. As for me I think it to become too expensive as well. The current SDR series suits me better though I consider it badly written or maybe badly translated.

petrus bitbyter

rsavas 12 years ago

Hi Petrus, Not sure exactly what you mean, "So what can I add?" As I said previously, there is much more software/firmware to be added, I still need to code up: 1) IR remote control feature 2) Bootloader, for remote FW upgrade, so that a AVR programmer is not required!! 3) Alarm Clock function 4) Setup/configuration menus 5) Expand Elektor DSP radio VB6 code to add additional controls for additional features There is also Mechanical Design to be done. Regards Rick

petrus bitbyter 12 years ago

Hi Rick, "which was my inspiration and challenge" Which made a great project. But for all I can see you're (almost) finished. So what can I add? petrus bitbyter

rsavas 12 years ago

Hi Petrus, Thanks for your feedback. Obviously it is expensive but that is what you have to pay to get this class of quality parts these days. I can at least say that it is a complete audio solution, will last a lifetime. Maybe not for everyone and maybe not all the feautres one would want but it is my idea of a complete audio solution to meet my needs at least. This little stereo can replace my aging Pioneer SX950 receiver at a fraction of the weight ,size and power, with many features unheard of by 1970's technology and many current offerings. Okay, it is not a 100W/channel Class AB power amp, but the sound is just as good, unless you want a PA system!! Quite an accomplishemnt of todays semiconductors!! I do not see how anyone can disagree with this. You say that it has been done already, by whom? all on one very small PCB? I'd like you to show me who & where and at what price? Sure it has been done before, bits and pieces here and there. The IC manufacturers did not produce these parts just for me but for everyone to use. It is how you but them all together and write a SW application to make it all work, which was my inspiration and challenge. I have to agree about your comments about the lastest SDR articles. Little hard for me to read and understand as well. Interesting none the less, as a learning experience for I-Q demodulators. Good subject and material as well. This project seems more complicated than what I am proposing!! Just implemented using all PTH components to make it look easier to assemble. One criticism, is that they have many, (3, I think), separate circuit boards. I can not see why they can not put them all on one PCB, will reduce costs and sizes, make no sense to me!! Same goes with the Douglas Self's new pre-amp design. My thinking is, put all on one PCB, minimal amount of discrete wires etc. I guess every one has their own design philosophies and reasons. Regards Rick

3 Comment(s)

Joopieie 11 years ago

Nice project! Are you willing to share the project files? Why post if you won't share?

865670ciclismo-campioni-joop-zoetemelk.jpg (33kb)

rsavas 12 years ago

Hello Joopieie, Thanks for reviewing my project proposal. Recall that this is a design proposal and not a project with full documentation. I conversed with some Elektor editors, offered my project for publication. Elektor fealt that the project was too complicated for their general readership. They however kindly offered that I put my project up for project proposal, to allow voting and assess the interest level. It was not my intention at this time to provide/release a full documentation package. The thinking was, if there was enough interest that Elektor may decide to publish my design or design one themselves, which I am to understand that we will have to negotiate the terms of ownership. If I gave you a schematic, what would you do with it? Most people buy electronics without schematics. The design is complete, in the sense that I have already fabricated a PCB, have the circuitry operational & much of the SW has been written. Little late for a design review and feature input, as I did this all on my own. Since I have no agreement in place, with anyone at this time, so I am open to offers!! My intention at this time, is to allow individuals to contribute to the SW development effort & supply documentation to folks that are interested in contributing. Obviously one would need the HW and SW tools & knowledge level in order to contribute. This is step one. If I/we decide that this is a product worthy of sale in the sense of selling the design itself or finished product, then I would entertain, to go back and tweek the design as required. Are you offering your services in this regard? Rick Savas