Radio-SkyPipe II (RSPII) is based on nine years Radio-SkyPipe 1 evolution, and has many new features that place it in a different class of data collection utility. If you were a Radio-SkyPipe 1 user, you will find the look of the application very familiar. The general human interface is much the same so you won't need to start over learning the basics. Hiding behind the menus however are new features which enhance the accuracy, flexibility, and scientific usefulness of the program.
Detection Methods
RSPII uses a fully re-written sound detection system. In previous versions only
a single peak detector was used. In RSPII three detection methods are
available, each representing different ways of extracting a value representing
the sound signals magnitude; Peak, Average, and Power. The Peak method is
very similar to the old RSP 1.X method and emphasizes the stronger components of
the signal. The Average method smoothes out the signal and is especially
useful in suppressing spiky noise. The Power method relies on squaring the
average signal and in many cases can correspond with the power in the signal.
Sound Mixer
The software sound mixer has two important roles with regard to RSP. First
it connects the chart sound detection to routines to the correct source of
incoming sound data; Line, Mic, or Wave, primarily. Secondly, it
sets the level at which data is presented to the data collection program.
Previously the user had to use the Windows Mixer Panel to do these chores.
The new built in record mixer can now handle these tasks. The reason this
is important is that the RSP can restore the settings that were last used and
thus maintain some level of calibration between observations.
Spectrum Display
The user now has access to a spectrum display of the relative intensity of the
signal over a range of frequencies. Currently this display does not
provide absolute signal levels, though this is planned for future releases.
However, it does provide an accurate frequency display and can be useful in
tracking down problems such as interference.
Wav Recorder Prebuffer
The built in wav file recorder has long been a useful tool in grabbing sound
files during observations. There is a rich set of feature buttons
for taking wav file snapshots. However, being human, we have limited
reaction times and always miss the beginning of some sound phenomena because it
takes time to evaluate the signal and begin recording. The Wav Recorder
Prebuffer eliminates the this problem, providing a configurable length buffer of
sound input attached to the beginning of the sound file. In other words,
if you have a 10 second prebuffer, your recording will also include the 10
seconds of sound that came through the sound card prior to when you pressed the
record button...cool!
Sound Card Offset Correction
Some sound cards exhibit significant error in measurement by virtue of a
residual value that is biased into the digitized sound values. RSPII offers a
correction method for this bias.
Sound Card Based Timing
RSP 1.X relied upon the Windows software timers to fire the signal to take a new
sample. Because the operating system is multi-tasking and dividing the
CPUs time between numerous programs, these timer events are quite
unreliable. The sample spacing thus varied significantly. RSPII now
offers the option of allowing sound card based timing, relying on interrupts
from the sound card to trigger new sample events. This is much more
reliable, especially when the data source is actually sound information.
It can also add reliability in sample spacing to other data sources. Windows
timing is still an available option. More timing options are planned.
SNTP Clock
The absolute time is very import to some types of observations, especially when
remote stations are trying to correlate samples. A new SNTP based internet
clock is included with all versions of RSPII. There are other pieces of
software like SP TimeSync and Dimension 4 that could be used, however, there
would be no integration between these and RSPII. Timing corrections can be
noted in the metadata when using the Radio-SkyPipe SNTP clock. Accuracy to
less than 10 milliseconds is probably possible with a good internet connection.
LabJack ADC Support
The parallel port is rapidly disappearing from new computers and there have been
many requests for USB connected Analog to Digital Converters. Two popular models
of USB connected ADCs from LabJack are now supported. These ADCs are
modestly priced at just over $100 US and also provide output capabilities.
Triggers and Automation
Automation capabilities are now provided by implementing Triggers based upon
signal levels in the strip chart channels. LabJack ADCs provide several
outputs that can be toggled by set signal levels input to the chart. You may
also run other programs or scripts based upon these levels. Triggers are
designed to resist spike transients. An example of a application could put
Radio-SkyPipe II at the heart of a photovoltaic cell charging and utilization
monitoring system, where RSPII would toggle on and off charging circuits
switching batteries and monitoring available power from the solar cell array or
usage of the stored energy. Long term recordings of system operation could
be streamed to remote locations.
Metadata
Metadata is information about the observation and might include things like;
where it was collected, what hardware was used, what software parameters were
used, what processing of the data occurred. All of these things add to the
value of any data recording. A number of new automatic metadata inclusions
have now been made so that valuable information about the data will not be
separated from the data itself.
Annotations
You may now add text notations right onto the strip chart. These user defined
labels stay with the chart times at which they are placed. This adds a new
level of chart documentation. Chart annotations may be added in real time
or to saved data.
Observer Log
The observer log has been ramped up with the ability to include snapshots of the
charts in real time. The logs may be saved in RTF format that can be read
in Word and other programs.
A new wav recorder button now appears on the main window, giving fast access to the wav recorder function. Combined with the new prebuffering capability of the program you should will no longer miss those interesting unexpected sound recordings.
New buttons for Data File Info, and setting the bottom of the chart to zero.
Arrow Buttons may now optionally act on the chart pen rather than the chart "paper".
Quick buttons for loading Profiles ( Radio-SkyPipe configurations.)
Radio-Jove Calibration Wizard helps you calibrate your Radio Jove observations.
Start on Second Boundary option.