dabhand: Linux support for the DABmate M1+ device

Introduction

The focus of this site is development of support for the DABmate M1+ device under Linux. The device allows a standard PC to receive DAB radio which is played through the PC speakers. The device is bundled with software which allows it to be used under Windows. This site is about using the device with the Linux operating system.

This device is widely available from numerous sellers on the 'net. I got mine from Maplin but also available on Ebay, Gizoo etc. etc. (I'm not affiliated with Maplin.) It seems to be a good device. It has a lot going for it: the price is just under 40 quid, and the aerial is (in theory) detachable so I can connect it to a better aerial.

Status

There's good news and bad news. The good news is that, as far as I can tell, the device works perfectly under Linux using software available on this site. The bad news is that considerable more software is needed to be able to make the output useful. i.e. produce sound.

Where's the problem

The device is a very basic RF receiver. It tunes into the DAB signal, and captures (samples) the signal. In a nutshell, it delivers a raw signal to the PC. This bit works perfectly under Linux.

The device is designed to be attached to a standard PC. It is intended that the PC provides the processing on the DAB signal from RF signal to audio decoding. No software currently exists to do this.

We're not completely certain how the device presents the RF signal to the host, although initial analysis indicates that it is a fairly simple sample of a the DAB signal.

Where next?

Progress is not impossible. The bit of software which needs writing is essentially a DAB stack for Linux. The DAB standard is completely free and open, and so implementation of a DAB stack requires only effort.

The following problems need to be solved:

Further information

Also on this site are:

• Information on how the device works. There is currently no documentation, so this has been gained from poking around with the device and may be a little sketchy.

• Information about software which interacts with the DABmate device, and allow captured data to be plotted in weird and wonderful ways.

• What we need to know. This describes the information which is lacking. If you work for Mtech or Dabmate, or own this device and are good at reverse engineering, read this page and give me some answers.

Downloads

Nothing yet.

Contacts

There's currently two of us working on this at the moment.

For further discussion, to express interest, or offer support, contact: