On 25/09/2010 11:55, Brian Morrison wrote:
On 25 Sep 2010 10:04:41 GMT
wrote:

Brian wrote:
On 25 Sep 2010 07:06:03 GMT
wrote:

wrote:
I don't have the skills, or even the time, to take part - but it doesn't
stop me from encouraging the project as a matter of principal. A closed
codec has no place in Amateur Radio.

It is striking how many of the proponents of development of an open codec
and opponents of a closed codec are amongst those that do not have any
idea how to develop a codec...

The skills required to do the job are few and far between. The
community of people who can do good DSP design and coding is small.

Not only that (I have done DSP coding for filters and modems myself),
but in this case there is the additional difficulty of finding the methods
and algorithms to code speech into very few bits. This requires lots of
knowledge and research, and what is already known is usually patented.
Often the research is done partly in a scientific research institute
or at a university, and partly in a commercial company allied to such
an institute. Lots of man-hours of highly qualified people go into this.

Very true, we are fortunate that David Rowe already had the knowledge
and background to do this, and was available to do the work. Others can
assist, but I think they did not have the time required.


But the community of people who think that "WE should develop an
open codec" and "when we had more donations we could..." seems to be
thinking that this is project that a couple of amateurs could do better.

I've never thought that, I knew that the only solution was an amateur
who was also knowledgeable and experienced in the techniques needed.


We should develop an open space rocket to propel our geostationary OSCAR
into space. Sure.

Don't think rockets are patented, just seriously expensive.


But we better admit that we cannot do that and set achievable goals.

I think Codec2 is achievable, but I certainly agree that a
geostationary OSCAR is asking a great deal, getting it there is one
thing, keeping it there and monitoring it and keeping it healthy is
quite another.


More importantly, keeping it useable, and free from abuse will be
impossible. (Ref: US SATCOM on 255.550 downlink, widely pirated by half
of Brazil)