Computer aided transceiver: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:59, 14 October 2024

Revision as of 07:22, 15 October 2024

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A '''computer aided transceiver''' ('''CAT''') is a devicenon-generic serial protocol used by [[radio amateurs]] for (remotely) controlling a [[transceiver]] [[radio receiver]] using a [[computer]].

Conventional transmitters are manually controlled and used to transmit voice using buttons, dials, etc. However, advances in electronics have come to market devices that can be controlled by a computer and allow digital modes such as [[packet radio]] and also the use of satellite tracking, because it can continuously change the device's frequency according to the [[Doppler effect]]. This is done by connecting a Radio receiver and a PC using a [[CAT interface]] and a [[CAT Program]]

CatCAT interfaces are also used to position tracking antennas, in controllers, as a satellite moves overhead.

A CAT interface is a piece of hardware that connects the PC and radio that provides a connection to allows the radio and the PC to communicate with each other. The CAT interface provides the signals to and fro via correct voltage levels and in the case of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) CAT interface it requires a "protocol" for communication but communication itself is down to the radio and the software on the PC.