NerdNet linked repeater design
The design goal for NerdNet was to connect treasure coast repeater
to a common hub for sharing of resources.
The ability for any "member"
repeater to join the link on demand requires a simple TouchTone command from the
user. The commands should be a simple and intuitive.
The HUB is responsible for setting up and tearing down a link with
as little human intervention as possible.
All member status is tracked by the
HUB in real time. Member repeaters request a link to another member or shared
HUB services. HUB services include IRLP, Emergency Autopatch, HF remote base and
Satellite/Internet delivered ham related programming.
A link request from a user on a member repeater is queued in the
member controller. The member controller checks for hub activity before sending
the DTMF command to the HUB. No audio connection is yet made from the member to
the HUB. The HUB maintains a table of all member repeater status. If the
requested member is already connected to the HUB, the HUB simply responds back
to the requesting member with a link established.
The requesting member sets
up the audio connection and reports to the user.
To make this possible member repeaters require a controller
capable of the following features.
Duplex
Link/Remote base port.
Ability to accept DTMF from
the Link port.
Ability to generate DTMF to the Link
port.
Spoken messages to the
user.
Macro commands to simplify user/hub
commands.
Scheduler for automation.
Command execution based on external events.
Member repeater status can be any of the
following:
Not
connected.
Connected to the
HUB.
System Down.
Do Not
Disturb.
HUB status can be any of the
following:
Connected to
IRLP.
Connected to HF remote
base.
Connected to
Autopatch.
Connected to Satellite
receiver.
Connected to Internet audio
stream.