OUTERNET L-BAND User manual

L-BAND RECEIVER
THE DIY PORTABLE OUTERNET RECEIVER MANUAL
For rxOS v2.02
NOTE: L-Band is in Beta
The latest version of this manual can be found online at https://outernet.is/docs and in the
root folder of the Librarian interface.

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CONTENTS
How Outernet Works.................................................................................................................................... 4
Components ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Hardware Specifications For Outernet Reception...............................................................................5
How The Components Work Together...................................................................................................6
Outernet Software: rx0S...............................................................................................................................7
How rxOS Works.........................................................................................................................................7
Install rxOS On Your Device.....................................................................................................................7
rxOS Alternatives........................................................................................................................................7
Getting Started ...............................................................................................................................................8
DIY Receiver Assembly..............................................................................................................................8
Set Up The Receiver...................................................................................................................................8
Librarian Setup Wizard...............................................................................................................................9
Satellite Reception Guide............................................................................................................................10
Point The Antenna....................................................................................................................................10
Tuner Settings ............................................................................................................................................11
Librarian Guide .............................................................................................................................................. 12
Content Section........................................................................................................................................13
Settings Dashboard..................................................................................................................................13
Librarian How-To Questions...................................................................................................................14
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................................ 15
Product Support............................................................................................................................................16
Appendix 1: Choosing A Satellite.................................................................................................................17
Appendix 2: Updating Firmware Manually................................................................................................18
Appendix 3: Storage.....................................................................................................................................19
Available Storage......................................................................................................................................19
Attaching External Storage.....................................................................................................................19
Appendix 4: Manually Add Content To Device.......................................................................................20

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Appendix 5: Supporting More Connected Devices................................................................................ 21
Appendix 6: DIY Kit Component Specifications......................................................................................21

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HOW OUTERNET WORKS
Outernet provides a unique service: filecasting. We send files over Inmarsat satellites, which
transmit radio waves in the L-Band frequency range. These waves are received by the radio on
the receiver, which turns them back into files, which are then stored on the receiver. In some
cases, the receiver emits a WiFi hotspot, allowing access to the saved files through a web browser.
COMPONENTS
There are 5 components required to build and operate a L-Band receiver:
L-Band Antenna
Amplifier
Software-defined Radio (SDR)
rxOS software on a Computer (C.H.I.P., Raspberry Pi 3, Linux, or Windows)
Power source
Optionally, a laptop running Windows 7/10 or Linux can be used to simply download files
All of the required components are included in full DIY Receiver Kit with C.H.I.P. and
a battery. To see the specifications of these Kit components, see Appendix 6 (page 21). We also
sell components separately for those who wish to substitute our components with those that
meet the proper specifications.
For hobbyists and tinkers, the L-Band hardware can also be used for Inmarsat reception, including
SafetyNET, EGC, and AERO.

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HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS FOR OUTERNET RECEPTION
L-Band Air Gap Patch Antenna:
We strongly recommend purchasing from us.
Center Frequency: 1542 MHz
8dbi
SMA Male connector
Software Defined Radio (SDR) Tuner Dongle:
Ultra-low phase noise 0.5PPM TCXO
RF-suitable voltage regulator custom heatsink
SMA female connector
SDR frequency range of approximately 25MHz-2200MHz
Must have a bias tee enabled for use with the Outernet Amplifier
Amplifier:
Center Frequency: 1542 MHz
Gain: 34 dB
Voltage: 3.0V - 5.5V
Current Draw: 25 mA
Single-Board Computer:
rxOS demodulates and decodes the signal. If purchased with a kit, C.H.I.P. comes with rxOS pre-
installed. Read more about rxOS on page 6. We have rxOS images that are compatible with:
C.H.I.P.
Raspberry Pi 3
For users without a Single-Board Computer, our software demodulator and decoder are
available for simply tuning into the signal and downloading files on the following platforms:
Windows 7 / 10
Linux X86
Power:
The receiver requires 2 Watts of power.

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HOW THE COMPONENTS WORK TOGETHER
Antenna Tuned specifically for the L-band.
Amplifier Reduces system noise, boosts gain, and amplifies the signal. The green
light indicates the amplifier is receiving power.
SDR Tuner Tunes into a particular frequency within the amplified signal and
passes the signal to the computer running the demodulation software.
Computer Runs software that demodulates and decodes the signal, and manages
the received files.
Battery An external battery or USB power is required to power the device.

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OUTERNET SOFTWARE: RX0S
Users with a C.H.I.P. with preinstalled software purchased from Outernet may skip this section.
For the full documentation for rxOS, visit https://outernet.is/docs. View the code on GitHub:
https://github.com/Outernet-Project/rxOS/.
HOW RXOS WORKS
The files that are filecast by Outernet are encoded, modulated, and sent to several Inmarsat
satellites. These satellites transmit the radio waves in the L band frequency range. The waves are
received by the radio on the receiver and then passed on to the software demodulator. The
demodulator turns the analog signal into bits and then passes them onto the decoder, which
extracts the file information from the data and reconstructs the files on local storage.
The software components involved in this process are:
the demodulator (sdr100)
the decoder (ondd)
file indexer (FSAL)
web-based UI (Librarian)
INSTALL RXOS ON YOUR DEVICE
rxOS for C.H.I.P.
Latest image for C.H.I.P.: https://archive.outernet.is/images/rxOS-CHIP/
How to Flash C.H.I.P.: http://rxos.readthedocs.io/en/develop/getting_started/chip.html
rxOS for Raspberry Pi 3
In addition to the other components, a 8GB microSD card is required.
Latest image for Raspberry Pi: https://archive.outernet.is/images/rxOS-Raspberry-Pi/
How to Flash RPi: http://rxos.readthedocs.io/en/develop/getting_started/raspberry_pi.html
RXOS ALTERNATIVES
OuternetInABox for Windows and Linux
OuternetInABox is a portable virtual machine that offers the basic Outernet receiver software.
Latest Image: https://archive.outernet.is/images/OuternetInABox/
Raspbian: http://outernet-l-band-on-raspberry-pi.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
Linux: http://outernet-l-band-on-linux.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
This manual provides instructions for rxOS only. If using rxOS alternative, please use the linked
reference documents as guides, rather than this manual.

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GETTING STARTED
DIY RECEIVER ASSEMBLY
1. Install the rxOS or demodulation software on your chosen computer device (page 7).
2. Connect the male connector of the Antenna to the female connector of the Amplifier.
3. Connect the male connector of the Amplifier to the female connector of the SDR.
4. Insert the SDR USB into the USB port of your Computer with the correct version of rxOS
installed (C.H.I.P. shown). For instructions for installing rxOS, see page 6.
5. Power the C.H.I.P. (RAV Battery shown).
SET UP THE RECEIVER
After assembly, use a Wi-Fi enabled device to complete the receiver set up:
1. Open the list of WiFi networks on a Wi-Fi enabled device and connect to the wireless
access point named Outernet.
2. Open any browser and type http://outernet.is in the address bar.
3. Complete the Librarian Setup Wizard (next page).

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LIBRARIAN SETUP WIZARD
The Librarian setup wizard will configure the receiver.
Language This is the interface language that will be used by default when users
connect to the device. Users can switch to another language later. If you
want to contribute to our translations, please post on our forum.
Superuser Superuser account is used to administer the receiver. Superuser will have
access to receiver settings, and ability to manage the content library. Write
down the password reset token (6-digit number), as it is required to reset
credentials if they are forgotten: _____________.
Tuner settings Choose the correct satellite (page 17) to have the device automatically set
the correct settings for the tuner and click Finish .
Once the setup wizard steps are completed, click the button.

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SATELLITE RECEPTION GUIDE
To receive files, two things are required:
1. A lock on the satellite signal. A lock is required to receive data packets.
2. Receiving data packets. A weak signal or high error rate can prevent receipt of packets.
In Librarian, check the Signal Meter icon in the header bar:
Arrow pointing down above the bars. The device has a signal lock and is receiving data.
Wait to see files in Librarian. More solid bars mean better quality signal.
a dotted line through the bars. No signal lock and packets are not being
received. Adjust how the antenna is pointed.
and a straight line through the bars. The device has a signal lock, but
receiving packets. The signal may be weak or there may be interference. Adjust how the
antenna is pointed.
POINT THE ANTENNA
To achieve a signal lock, the antenna needs to have a clear view of the satellite:
1. Determine which satellite you will be getting service from, and which direction it is
relative to current location (page 17).
2. Find a location for the receiver with a clear view of the sky.
3. Point and angle the antenna in the direction of the satellite.
4. Rough corresponds to its latitude. At
the equator (0°), the antenna would be flat on the ground. At 30°N, the angle of the
antenna facing south would be 30° relative to the ground. At 65°N, the angle of the
antenna facing south would be 65°.
5. Move any objects in the periphery of the antenna that may create interference.
6. Connect to the device via WiFi, and check the Signal Meter at the top menu bar.
7. If you do not have a signal lock and receive packets immediately, adjust the direction and
angle of the antenna.
8. Use Tuner Settings to help make the proper adjustments (next page).