tinySA - tiny Spectrum Analyzer

About

tinySA is very tiny handheld Spectrum Analyzer (SA). It is standalone with lcd display, portable device with battery. This project aim to provide an useful instrument for the RF enthusiast.

This repository contains source of tinySA firmware.

Support

General tinySA support questions should be posted here: https://groups.io/g/tinysa/messages

Use github issue list only for firmware bugs and preferrably cross post to: https://groups.io/g/tinysa/messages

Prepare ARM Cross Tools

UPDATE: Recent gcc version works to build tinySA, no need old version.

MacOSX

Install cross tools and firmware updating tool.

$ brew tap px4/px4
$ brew install gcc-arm-none-eabi-80
$ brew install dfu-util

Linux (ubuntu)

Download arm cross tools from here.

$ wget https://developer.arm.com/-/media/Files/downloads/gnu-rm/8-2018q4/gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2018-q4-major-linux.tar.bz2
$ sudo tar xfj gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2018-q4-major-linux.tar.bz2 -C /usr/local
$ PATH=/usr/local/gcc-arm-none-eabi-8-2018-q4-major/bin:$PATH
$ sudo apt install -y dfu-util

Fetch source code

Fetch source and submodule.

$ git clone https://github.com/erikkaashoek/tinySA.git
$ cd tinySA
$ git submodule update --init --recursive

Build

Just make in the directory.

$ make

For tinySA Ultra use this command

$ make TARGET="F303"

Build firmware using docker

Using this docker image and without installing arm toolchain, you can build the firmware.

$ cd tinySA
$ docker run -it --rm -v $(PWD):/work edy555/arm-embedded:8.2 make

Flash firmware

First, make device enter DFU mode by one of following methods.

• Jumper BOOT0 pin at powering device
• Select menu Config->DFU (needs recent firmware)

Then, flash firmware using dfu-util via USB.

$ dfu-util -d 0483:df11 -a 0 -s 0x08000000:leave -D build/ch.bin

Or simply use make.

$ make flash

Update from the SD card (tinySA Ultra)

The tinySA Ultra can install a new firmware from its SD card, without DFU:

1. Copy the firmware .bin file to the root folder of the SD card, for example with STORAGE→USB DISK. Eject the drive when the copy is done.
2. Select STORAGE→UPDATE FIRMWARE, pick the file and confirm with UPDATE.
3. The tinySA checks the file, programs it in about 10 seconds and restarts. Do not switch it off or remove the SD card during the update. If the card is removed anyway, the update waits and continues when it is inserted again.

Settings, calibration and presets are kept. The shell command fwupdate {file} checks a file without changing anything, fwupdate {file} flash installs it.

Only firmware that contains the update header (from this version on) can be installed from the SD card; older versions and the tinySA basic firmware are refused. If an update is interrupted, the tinySA does not start: hold the jog button while switching on to enter DFU mode and flash the firmware with a PC as above.

Companion Tools

There are several numbers of great companion PC tools from third-party.

• Soon to come by Erik
• tinySASaver by Erik

Documentation

• tinySA User Guide

Reference

• Specification
• Technical info

Note

tinySA is a trademark owned by its respective owner. Unauthorized use the the name tinySA not permitted

Authorized Distributor

• See the Wiki

Credit

• @erikkaashoek

Contributors

• @edy555
• @hugen79
• @cho45
• @DiSlord