Q1: Are Wavecom products (hardware and software) secure against cyber attacks?
A: Absolutely. All our products are cyber-hardened and run without an internet connection. Our software products run under an offline license dongle, i.e., it works on any isolated systems without network connections. Our hardware products run with a built-in key in the hardware itself. (see Q6 as well)
Q2: How do I get the latest software updates?
A: Our latest software updates can be obtained on DVD. Please register with our home page. You may also download the software from our ftp server (ftp://ftp.wavecom.ch). For export regulations we don't put our dual-use software on a third-party site.
Q3: Is my Wavecom license still valid and operational after the software maintenance period?
A: All Wavecom licenses are permanent, i.e., the current software held by the customer will operate without any time limit. In addition, during the software maintenance period the customer will get all updates (new versions) for that software.
Q4: Why must Wavecom software maintenance (update) be purchased without time-gap since the first purchase?
A: All our software is developed in a continuous way. With the latest software the customer gets also all the features in the past.
Q5: Why doesn't Wavecom deliver software for second-hand hardware decoder purchased from a third-party or an internet market-place?
A: With the delivery of our software we guarantee the functionality together with the original hardware. For second-hand hardware no guarantee is possible. With this measure we also protect our brand against counterfeit.
Q6: Why can't a Wavecom software license dongle be replaced when lost? And why must a faulty dongle be returned for replacement?
A: Our license is an offline license, it does not require an internet connection. This cyber-hardened measure gives our customer the highest security and at the same time the maximum degree of freedom running the software on any isolated system.
On the other hand, once delivered there is no way to verify the claim of loss. In the same sense, a faulty dongle must be returned physically for replacement.
Q7: Can Wavecom product process (decode and classify etc.) multiple channels simultaneously?
A: Yes. To do this you need multiple licenses. For example, to process 10 signals simultaneously, you need 10 licenses. All 10 licenses can be configured on one USB dongle.
To keep the computation load reasonable, each Wavecom decoder can run up to 8 instances simultaneously on one computer. Therefore you need at least two computers to run 10 instances (8 + 2). All can pick up licenses from that one USB dongle.
Q8: What are the basic differences between W-CODE and W-PCIe, W-PCI or W74PC? Why don't I get a W-CODE license when I purchase a hardware decoder?
A: Product description
W-CODE is our software decoder and is licensed by a USB stick
W74PC, W-PCIe or W-PCI are our hardware decoder and are licensed by an in-card 25-alphanumeric key
All our hardware and software decoders are delivered with their own licenses. That means no USB stick (license for SW decoder W-CODE) will come with a HW decoder and vice versa
All our HW and SW decoders have the same decoding and analysis functionalities. They are developed in a synchronous way and have the same version number (e.g. V10.0.0).
Q9: Do all Wavecom decoders come complete with decoding and analysis software?
A: Yes, all decoders are delivered with complete software and ready to run.
Q10: Are the same data decoding and analysis modes available from W-CODE, W74PC, W-PCIe, W-PCI, W-PCIe-LAN or W-PCI-LAN?
A: Yes, all our HW and SW decoders have the same decoding and analysis functionalities. See also Q8.
Q11: If all hosts have integral sound cards, why do I need the W74PC, W-PCIe or W-PCI hardware?
A: Sound cards are limited by their narrow audio bandwidth and the quality and accuracy of the sound card itself and that of the Windows operating system in sound processing. Wavecom W74PC, W-PCIe and W-PCI cards have a number of high-quality inputs: AF/IF inputs with a frequency range from 50 Hz to 25 MHz and 70 MHz IF-inputs with a bandwidth of 35 MHz.
Q12: Which Wavecom products are software-only and can be installed on a comupter which also hosts a receiver?
A: W-CODE is a software-only solution and supports various inputs:
W-CODE supports the built-in PC sound card input
W-CODE supports various SDR (Software Defined Radio) over their native digital device (e.g. Virtual Sound Card)
W-CODE supports TCP/IP input streams using IP-CONF, IP-PXGF, Digital Bridge Virtual Sound Card (VSC), Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) with sampling rates up to 192 kHz
W-CODE supports direct input and output of WAV files with the integrated Wavecom Media Player/Recorder
Q13: Do all decoder products provide an IF (analog or digital) input? What are the typical IF frequencies?
A: Typical receiver IFs are 12 kHz, 455 kHz, 10.7 MHz and 21.4 MHz. Satellite down converters typically offer 70 MHz outputs. The Wavecom products W74PC, W-PCIe, W-PCI, W-PCIe-LAN and W-PCI-LAN support IF or digital interfaces from a number of inputs:
Sound card input (analogue): Depends on the native sound card characteristics and follows the specifications for the logical inputs
Digital device: Virtual Sound Card (VSC), Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) of various Software Defined Radio (SDR). I/Q or PCM format, max. sampling rate 192 kHz, 8 or 16 bit signed integer
WAV files: AF, PCM or I/Q, max. sampling rate 192 kHz, 8 or 16 bit signed integer
Media Player/Recorder: PCM or I/Q depending on input, 8 – 192 kHz sampling rate, 8 bit, 16 bit, 24 bit and 32 bit signed int and 32 bit float
PXGF TCP/IP streaming: I/Q, max. sampling rate 192 kHz, 16 bit signed int and 32 bit float
IP-CONF TCP/IP streaming: I/Q, sampling rate 8 – 192 kHz, 16 bit signed integer
⇒ see Application Notes "Receiving Configurations", ".WDA File Format", "Digital I/Q Recording", "Media Player File Format", "PXGF File Format", "WiNRADiO G39DDC and G33DDC" and "Simple Satellite Monitoring" System on our website.
Q14: I would like to use W-Code with WiNRADiO. According to the manual, however, for some modes, e.g., POCSAG, IF input is required.
A: Depending on the WiNRADiO receiver model, IF output is available from the secondary output or from the AF tab of the SDR GUI. This output can be used for decoding. For signal routing use the WiNRADiO VSC (Virtual Sound Card), the mixing console or a third-party application (VAC).
⇒ See Application Notes "WiNRADiO G39DDC and G33DDC" or "WiNRADiO G313i and G315e" on our website.
Q15: I have a W-PCIe-LAN or W-PCI-LAN and the display is blank after Windows starts. How to solve this problem?
A: Check the cables. Connect a VGA or a DVI cable between the W-PCIe-LAN or W-PCI-LAN and the monitor to verify whether the display mode has changed.
If the BIOS boot message is displayed during startup:
The monitor is not correctly communicating with the graphics card of the host or the graphics adaptor was set to "Notebook" or "LVDS" output in Windows.
Recommendation:
If after Windows has started a blank screen is encountered, press CTRL + ALT + F1. This will reset the output to the default output selected in the BIOS. This action only works if you have auto-login enabled
Boot the host in safe mode. Remove the INTEL ® 945 Express Chipset driver. Then use the standard Microsoft SVGA driver
If the BIOS message is NOT displayed during startup:
Restartthehost
Wait for the beep, then press the "Delete" key
Wait for 20 seconds
Press the "Right-Arrow" key once
Press the "Down-Arrow" key once
Press the "Enter" key once
Press the "Y" key once
Press the "Enter" key once
Press the "F10" key once
Press the "Enter" key once
Now the BIOS settings have been reset to default values and you should see the BIOS message during start up
Restore the correct BIOS settings as described in the document which came with the W-PCIe-LAN or W-PCI-LAN
If you still cannot see the BIOS message, then the internal battery of the host must be removed to reset the BIOS settings. The battery is usually located on the motherboard of the host
Q16: I would like to use W-Code with AOR AR-5000. According to the manual, however, for some modes, e.g., POCSAG, IF input is required.
A: Try one of these options:
Connect the discriminator output of the AR-5000 to the sound card input and select AF for the W-CODE input. That may work depending on the high-pass filtering of the sound card
Using an external mixer, down-convert the 455 kHz IF to 12 kHz and feed this IF to the sound card
Connect a Software Defined Radio (SDR) to the AR-5000 IF output and use the IQ output of the SDR for decoding by connecting the this output to an IF capable Virtual Audio Cable or Virtual Sound Card
Q17: Do all Wavecom decoder products accept demodulated audio from a receiver?
A: Yes, all decoder products accept demodulated audio via a physical or a logical input.
Q18: What are the requirements for audio cards used as decoder input?
A: The sampling frequency should stay within a tolerance of approx. 5 ppm, however 1 ppm is recommended. If the deviation is larger, calibration is required and the export and import of wave files can become critical.
Q19: What are the Virtual Audio Card (VAC) settings for Perseus SDR?
A: As the VAC and the Perseus specifications may change, please consult the corresponding user manuals. At the time of writing these VAC settings were valid:
SR: 22050 ... 192000
BPS: 8 ... 32
NC: 1 ... 2
Maxinst: 20
Mspe int: 10
Stream fmt: Cable format
Connected source: Line
Clockcorr: 100%
Q20: "CodeMeter is not marked for installation" or "CodeMeter failed to start" error.
A: Such error messages may appear if W-CODE is installed and a newer version of W-BV has been previously installed. To remedy this situation, uninstall CodeMeter and then install W-CODE again. The problem is caused by the older version of CodeMeter.
Q21: I cannot install a new or old software version or the new software is not working. What to do?
A: Possibilities solutions are:
Software does not install
Has the old version of the Wavecom software been un-installed? Go to Microsoft’s home page to download a "Fix It" solution. The former cleanup utility MSCIUU2.EXE has been discontinued by MS due to potentially damages to the operating system. If this does not cure the problem, try software clean up tools like "jv16", "Revo Uninstaller" (use the highest security level setting) or "CCleaner"
Remove previous installations of the WIBU/CodeMeter and HASP applications
Close all pop-up windows that show up before and during installation
Software does not work
Is the license key correct?
Is the Wavecom server started?
Is the license valid? The license may have expired.
Are the latest Microsoft service packs installed?
Q22: The 10.7 MHz IF output of my receiver does not seem to be compatible with the IF input of the decoder. Is there a solution?
A: The 10.7 MHz IF output of many receivers may have a bandwidth up to 10 MHz, and is designed for a spectrum analyzer. This bandwidth is too wide and the signal levels are too low for the decoder IF input. The solution is a slight modification of the receiver, i.e., to install a 455 kHz IF output. Contact an experienced distributor for your receiving equipment for such a modification. A miniature, surface mount, universal DRM mixer unit with interfaces that can be used for down-mixing can be obtained from "sat-Schneider" (Crystal miniatur mixer with 467 kHz or 10.712 MHz for 12 kHz output).
