WAVECOM F.A.Q.

Q. What are the basic differences between the W61PC and W-CODE?
A. W61PC is a decoding instrument which includes decoding software and hardware; W-CODE is software only, requiring  the IQ or PCM output of a receiver (Perseus, WiNRADiO, R+S, Agilent, etc.) 

Q. Are free software updates available to WAVECOM users on line?
A. Yes for the first year, then a software update contract is required. 

Q. Do both products accept an input of demodulated audio from a receiver?
A. Yes. W-CODE can also use a sound card as an audio input. The sampling frequency should be in a tolerance of around 5 ppm (1 ppm recommended). If the tolerance is larger, then calibration is required, and exchange of files is critical. 

Q. Do the W61PC and W-CODE have an IF input? What are the typical IF frequencies?
A. The W61PC has an IF input from 0-25 MHZ and 70 MHz, programmable with on board DDC.   W-CODE analog IF must be in the range of 0-16 kHz; digital IF (IQ/PCM) requires an external application for decimation.  If the input is fire wire or USB, then an external application has to convert the signal to the WAVECOM format. 

Q. Do both products require a computer sound card?
A. Not the W61PC, but W-CODE requires either a sound card or a virtual audio cable (VAC).

Q. What Windows platforms can be used with the W51LAN?
A. Windows-98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP.
 
Q. Can a single W51LAN with its three ports be accessed by three different computers with a mix of operating systems?
A. Yes, but they will all receive the same data. In normal LAN fashion, connect one port to a switch, then all other PCs to the same switch, not to the other remaining ports on the W51LAN which would require special drivers that are not on the software.
 
 Q. Does the W51PC software have to be installed on all remote PCs even if  they use the same switch?
 A. Yes, using the file w51.exe to make the remote connection. For XP, use Remote Desktop to configure the W51LAN, then start the GUI to make a remote connection from the setup dialog.

Q. Are the same data decoding modes on both the W-CODE and W61PC? 
A. No. For example, there are no MODEM, FAX or wideband satellite demodulators on the W61PC.    

Q. If virtually all computers have sound cards, why do I even need the W61PC hardware? 
A. Sound cards are limited by their narrow audio bandwidth, while the W61PC has four high-quality audio and IF inputs (up to 70 MHz). Computers are also limited by the algorithm characteristics of the operating system and mixing properties. 

Q. I would like to use W-Code with Windows XP from the audio output of a WiNRADiO receiver as well as the 10.7 MHz output of an AOR AR5000. According to the manual, however, for some codes like Golay, I have to have IF available. Does that mean that I cannot connect the 10.7 MHz to the sound card, but instead need a W61PC (or similar) decoder rather than the W-Code?
A. Yes. The AOR 5000 provides analog output. Normally the W61PC uses the 455 kHz IF signal for decoding and the 10.7 MHz for wideband spectrum display since not all the filters are working. The receiver’s 455 kHz output cannot be connected to a sound card input. Try one of these options:

            a. Connect the discriminator output of the AR5000 to the sound card input and select DISC. That may work depending on the high-pass filtering of the sound card.

            b. Externally mix the 455 kHz down to 12 kHz and connect this IF to the soundcard; that does work.

            c. Connect a software defined receiver (SDR) to the IF and use the IQ (or PCM) output of the SDR for decoding.

Q. I have a receiver and computer; what else do I need besides either the W61PC or the W-Code software?
A. Just a patch cord with the appropriate plugs to interconnect the receiver's audio, data, or IF output with the W61 PC or your computer's audio input.
 

Q. Does the manual provide step-by-step instructions on how to completely identify a signal?
A. No, that's why Wavecom offers training sessions for inexperienced technicians. It may take up to 2-3 weeks of concentrated, hands-on decoding to feel comfortable with this technology. Wavecom supplies a Recordings of Transmission Types CD which can be used for training since it describes the correct decoding settings for each signal type.

Q. Does the CLASSIFIER function actually identify the mode of the received signal?
A. No, not by name. It simply informs you which modulation type is being used (FSK, PSK, OFDM, etc.). For a more thorough identification, select the CCC (CLASSIFIER CODE CHECK); it classifies the signal and starts the CODE CHECK function.

Q. Can I combine Wavecom products to have more comprehensive decoding capability?
A. Yes. For example, if you want Clover, PACTOR and CODAN as well as the classifier and satellite options along with the W-BV BitView tool, you can choose either the hardware approach (W61PC + W61CL + W61SAT), or the software approach (W-CODE + W-CODE-CL + W-CODE-SAT). 

Q. How do I connect a digital receiver to the decoder?
A. WiNRADiO: Digital Bridge™ Virtual Sound Card.
     Perseus: Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)*

            SDR-14, SDR-IQ; use VAC (Virtual Audio Cable) TCP/IP

            AOR AR-ALPHA: Use the WAVECOM TCP-IP-DI software to decimate and convert the AR-ALPHA  USB data stream into the WAVECOM IP-CONF format.

            EADS, R+S, Grintek and others: Use the modified WAVECOM TCP-IP-DI software (source code soon available).

            EADS, R+S, Grintek and others: Use the modified WAVECOM TCP-IP-DI software (source code soon available).

*Settings for Perseus using the Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)