Logan Cusano
61 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
61 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# DRB Edge Node — UI & Hardware Guide
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The DRB Edge Node comes equipped with a highly versatile, dual-mode web interface designed to support both remote network management and local hardware integration.
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This document details how to use both interfaces and how to configure physical hardware (like an LCD screen and buttons) to build a standalone, portable scanner unit.
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---
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## 1. Network Configuration Dashboard (`/`)
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The primary dashboard is served at the root URL (e.g., `http://172.16.100.85/` or `http://localhost/`). It is a premium, responsive, glassmorphic web application designed for on-network control.
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### Features
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- **Live Status Monitoring**: View MQTT connectivity, Discord bot status, recording status, and the underlying OP25 core state.
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- **Active Call Tracking**: When a transmission begins, the "Live Activity" card highlights to display the Talkgroup Name, System, and Talkgroup ID in real-time.
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- **Local Audio Streaming**: Features an embedded HTML5 audio player hooked directly into the node's Icecast stream. **Note**: Icecast has a 2-5 second buffering delay by design, which is normal.
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- **Network-Aware**: The audio stream dynamically routes to the host IP you are accessing it from (no broken `localhost` links when accessing from another PC).
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---
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## 2. Scanner Display Mode (`/scanner`)
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This dedicated view is optimized for small physical displays (e.g., 3.5" or 5" Raspberry Pi Touchscreens). It mimics the high-contrast, information-dense layout of professional digital scanners like the Uniden SDS100.
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### Features
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- **High Visibility**: Large, bold typography over a pure black background.
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- **Visual Call Alerts**: The channel display pulses blue when an active transmission is received.
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- **Kiosk Ready**: Fixed layout with no scrolling required; perfect for running in `chromium-browser --kiosk` mode on boot.
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### Hardware Button Mapping
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To make the node operate like a real scanner, the UI listens for standard keyboard events. By wiring physical buttons to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins and using a script (like `gpiozero` or `python-uinput`) to emit keystrokes, you can build a fully functional portable unit.
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| UI Action | Trigger Key | Description |
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| :--- | :--- | :--- |
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| **Volume Up** | `ArrowUp` | Increases the local Icecast stream volume by 10%. Shows a temporary on-screen overlay. |
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| **Volume Down** | `ArrowDown` | Decreases volume by 10%. |
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| **Toggle Hold** | `Enter` or `H` | Toggles the Hold state (Currently a UI mock, backend support planned). |
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| **Play/Pause** | `P` | Pauses or resumes the audio stream. Useful for temporarily silencing the unit. |
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| **Legend Modal** | Mouse Click | Clicking the "KEY LEGEND" button opens an on-screen modal reminding users of these mappings. |
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---
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## Building a Portable Unit
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If you are taking the node into the field (e.g., running off a battery in the woods without internet):
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1. **Hardware Requirements**:
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- Raspberry Pi (3B+ or 4 recommended).
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- Compatible SDR Dongle.
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- Small HDMI or SPI LCD Screen.
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- 3 to 5 tactile push buttons.
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- External battery pack (Ensure it can supply 3A for the Pi + SDR).
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2. **Software Setup**:
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- Configure the OS to boot to desktop and auto-launch Chromium in kiosk mode pointing to `http://localhost/scanner`.
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- Run a Python script in the background that maps GPIO button presses to keyboard events (using the `keyboard` or `uinput` library) matching the table above.
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3. **Offline Operation**:
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- The node will still boot and OP25 will decode the last assigned radio system, even if the MQTT broker and Discord are unreachable.
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- You can listen locally through the audio jack/speakers while watching the Scanner UI!
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