ELECTRONIC INTERFACING

Principle of the detection of METEOR


METEOR use an special small electronic interface for transform the audio signal back from your receiver to transform in "understandable" signal to your computer.

For more detail see below.

Schematic of special interface of METEOR

Click on  schematic for download the largest image in BMP. (schema.zip 15 Ko)
Schematic of the serial interface

Download experiment copper board drawing.

Download PCB meteor.ci + components list ( 2 Ko ) for WinCircuit 2000 available here !
The Printed Circuit Board for METEOR interfacing.
printed circuit copper face

Printed circuit components faceI

Components face
Download IC's MC 1458 DOC in pdf format

As all software, METEOR v 4.0 only cannot communicate with her environment.

He exists several methods to acquire the analogical signal ( LF of your receiver) and to transmit at the computer.

The most classic method consists in digitizing the signal with a Analogical Digital converter (ADC), for example your computer sound card.

But we preferred to create a small electronics adapted for two main reasons:

1°)  For use an old machine 286, 386 or 486 (machines to the rubbish),  doesn't accept all one sound card, and often again less WINDOWS. METEOR v 4.0 running under DOS.

He will be you thus easy to " dedicate " a machine to the permanent monitoring of meteor scatter  !

2°) The ADC are very "noisy" for the receive !

Interferences owed to the signal of sampling and other signals GIVEN OUT by the computer are as much of drew for the one that tries to disrupt least possible a receiver.

Electronics that we use generates signals only TOWARD the computer. So 90% of interferences disappear. Remain noises owed to the map screen and the such various peripherals the hard drive, but it is sufficient to place the computer to some meters of the receiver so that manages. In the desperate cases it is necessary to move away the computer again and (or) to filter the power supply and the signal of antenna !.

Optimum level of signal in entrance of the interfacing is about 500 mv to 1volt.
To running the interfacing electronic special METEOR.
1°) Assure you of the presence of a NF signal having one levels of about 500 mv crest to crest in output of your receiving FM. It is the mean level of the LINE output of a Tuner FM.
2°) plug a LF wire equipped of cinch slip on output  line of your Tuner FM or your receiver and plug in Line IN of the METEOR interfacing.
3°) On the PC plug the (Cannon DB9 or 25) on the COM port available.
4°) Starting up your Tuner and your PC.
5°) Adjust your Tuner outside of all receipt of station. You must hear the characteristic noise of the FM solely.
6°) Run METEOR v 4.0

You escape the solder ! you can order me an interfacing tested and ready to the use in plastic box.

Price 40 $ US include consignment expenses.
Send your order by check (only) to:

Pierre TERRIER 65 rue de la ville 34800 CANET (France)

Expedition by the post office under 15 days .

© Pierre TERRIER 2000

 Meteor Interfacing

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