Radarcape

Important note:

Since major release 2 of the Radarcape firmware, Radarcape now supports feeding to the OpenSky network out of the box.

Using the web interface of your Radarcape, navigate to "Settings - Feeder Settings - Opensky Network" and follow the instructions.

For older Radarcapes, you can either update to the new major release, or follow the old instructions below.

Radarcape Major Release 1 Firmware Instructions

Only follow the below instructions if you are NOT on the latest version of the Radarcape firmware and can't upgrade to the latest.

Older Radarcapes do not support feeding data to OpenSky without manual intervention. To add the OpenSky feeding function, you generally have two choices.

On a stock Radarcape, you can install the OpenSky data feeder. It can run besides the original firmware and it only adds the functionality needed by OpenSky. It does not affect the device's normal operation.

You can also replace the stock firmware with the OpenSky image. This is the default for Radarcapes, which are shipped by the OpenSky Network. This changes the device's normal operation: you cannot use the Radarcape's default functionality any longer.

Installation: add package to original firmware

Please note: Before you install our feeder, you should create an account and add your device to Register a Radarcape Receiver.

To install the OpenSky feeder, you need to access the device's command line interface. The easiest way to do so is using an SSH client such as Putty (if you are on a Windows machine). First you have to identify the version of the firmware you are running. To display the number (e.g. 3.8.1), run the command:

uname -a

For version numbers up to 3.8, your device runs an Ångström linux. Newer devices (from version 4.1) run a Debian linux.

Ångström Linux

To install the feeder, simply install the feeder with the following command:

wget --no-check-certificate https://opensky-network.org/files/firmware/openskyd_latest_armv7a-vfp-neon.opk
opkg install openskyd_latest_armv7a-vfp-neon.opk

Debian Linux

First, you have to download the firmware on the device:

wget --no-check-certificate https://opensky-network.org/files/firmware/openskyd_latest_armhf.deb

Then install the feeder using the following command:

dpkg -i openskyd_latest_armhf.deb

Installation: replace firmware by OpenSky image

Please note: Before you use the OpenSky image, you should create an account and add your device to My OpenSky > Request Data Access.

This method will replace the stock firmware of the radarcape. You cannot access the default radarcape functions while the replacement firmware is in use. You can, however, revert to the default radarcape firmware anytime by following the instructions at Radarcape

In order to deploy the OpenSky firmware, you'll first need a micro SD-Card with at least 2GB capacity. For older radarcapes (based on Beaglebone White), you can re-use the SD-Card that is already inserted in the SD-Card slot inside the radarcape. In any other case (newer radarcapes or if you want to keep the original firmware to revert to the stock firmware), you need a new one.

ChangeLog

2017-04-11 (OpenSky image only)
- Includes OpenSky Sensor 2.1.1
- Fixes timestamping: the GPS LED will switch to green as soon as a GPS fix is available
2016-06-14
- Fixes network configuration: enabled IPv6 again, including DHCPv6 and ip6tables
2016-06-08
- Includes OpenSky Daemon 1.1.1: GPS Position, selective forwarding of Mode-S
- Fixes network configuration: disabled IPv6 for the moment
- Updated base system, including Kernel 4.6.1
2016-03-12
- Includes OpenSky Daemon 1.0.6: relay all Mode-S frames unless filter is set
- Fixes device tree: pps gpio
- Fixes device tree: MMC reader for beagle bone white (prevented older radarcapes from booting in the last image)