January 26, 2022

SDR++ Server Beta Now Available

SDR++ is a general purpose receiver program compatible with almost any software defined radio including the RTL-SDR. Recent developments have seen the author release a beta of "SDR++ server" which is a program that allows users to access SDRs remotely, by connecting to them over a network connection. This is similar to existing server applications like rtl_tcp and Spyserver, however like SDR++ itself, SDR++ Server is compatible with almost any SDR and that is a major drawcard.

Today I'm happy to release the beta version of SDR++ Server! It works with all devices SDR++ supports. Since it's beta it's still missing compression and VFO+FFT mode.
As a demo, here is a LimeSDR being streamed over WiFi at 16MS/s
Get it here: https://t.co/DqvgHMZmm9 #SDR #SDRPP pic.twitter.com/116JftzEOy
— Whatsthegeek 🐲 (@ryzerth) January 22, 2022

The server is still in development and the author notes that he is still working on adding new features like lossless compression techniques in order to reduce network bandwidth requirements. However, it has already seen to be running well in tests with a remote server positioned half way around the world, even without compression enabled.

Started working on adding lossless compression to SDR++ server. How well it works depends on what signals you're looking at and what SDR you're using. What I'm seeing with general purpose compression tables is 1.1 to 2.5 times compression (usually 1.5+). Custom tables should help pic.twitter.com/a1WRvxmdDs
— Whatsthegeek 🐲 (@ryzerth) January 24, 2022

We note that SDR++ author 'Ryzerth' has a Patreon. If you like seeing these SDR++ developments please consider support him.

February 9, 2021

SDR-Server: An Advanced Open Source RTL-SDR Streaming Server

Developer @dernasherbrezon has recently released a new program called "sdr-server" which is a streaming server. Unlike the more basic rtl_tcp server, sdr-server has some more advanced features like being able to serve multiple clients a slice of the bandwidth simultaneously. When compared to SpyServer, another advanced RTL-SDR compatible streaming server, sdr-server has similar features, however, sdr-server is open source. Some of the key features include:

Share available RF bandwidth between several independent clients:

Total bandwidth can be 2016000 samples/sec at 436,600,000 hz

One client might request 48000 samples/sec at 436,700,000 hz

Another client might request 96000 samples/sec at 435,000,000 hz

Several clients can access the same band simultaneously

Output saved onto disk or streamed back via TCP socket

Output can be gzipped (by default = true)

Output will be decimated to the requested bandwidth

Clients can request overlapping RF spectrum

Rtl-sdr starts only after first client connects (i.e. saves solar power &etc). Stops only when the last client disconnects

MacOS and Linux (Debian Raspberrypi)