Firmware - Ats20
Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ATS-20+ (Plus) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
are popular SI4732-based all-band radio receivers known for their open-source versatility. Updating the firmware is a common way to unlock new features, improve screen layouts, and enhance overall performance. 1. Hardware Revisions
Before flashing, you must identify your specific board version, as it dictates the software settings you need:
Arduino Nano Version: Features a separate Arduino Nano board soldered onto the main PCB. Use "Arduino Nano (ATmega328P)" presets.
Arduino Uno Revision: All components, including the ATMega328P chip, are soldered directly to the main board. Use "Arduino Uno (ATmega328P)" presets.
Newer ATmega328PB Models: Some recent versions use the ATmega328PB chip and a CH340K USB chip, which may require specific drivers or hardware modifications to flash. 2. Firmware Options
PU2CLR (Standard): The widely accepted stable firmware, often found as version 1.1.5 or newer versions like 3.0.4.
Goshante (Advanced): A popular community firmware (e.g., v1.18 or v1.1.5-ex) that often provides a more polished interface and expanded features. 3. Flashing Procedure
The most common way to flash is via a Micro USB cable and a PC.
Drivers: You likely need the CH340 or CH341 USB-to-UART driver for your computer to recognize the device. Software Tools:
AVRDUDESS: A recommended GUI tool for Windows users to flash .hex files.
Arduino IDE: Useful if you want to compile the source code yourself from a GitHub repository. ats20 firmware
Settings: Ensure the baud rate is set correctly, typically 115200, and select the appropriate COM port. 4. Troubleshooting Common Issues Uno ISP programmer for ATS20 firmware update? - Facebook
A new firmware feature for the ATS-20 (often powered by the Si4732/Si4735 chip and an Arduino Nano) must balance the chip's powerful DSP capabilities against the limited memory (32KB Flash) of the ATmega328P.
Below is a drafted feature proposal for a "Signal Quality Sniffer", designed to enhance the DXing (long-distance) experience without overextending system resources. 📡 Feature: Signal Quality Sniffer (SQS)
The SQS is a real-time diagnostic overlay that replaces the static RSSI bars with a high-fidelity "Signal-to-Noise & Multipath" profile to help users orient antennas and find the cleanest frequency. ✨ Key Functionalities
Dual-Metric Bar: Instead of just signal strength, the bar splits to show RSSI (Signal Strength) and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) simultaneously.
Audio Mute-on-Seek: Automatically mutes audio while fast-tuning to prevent "pop" noises, re-engaging only when a signal meets a user-defined SNR threshold.
Peak Hold: A "ghost" marker on the S-meter that stays at the highest signal level reached in the last 3 seconds, perfect for rotating telescopic or external antennas.
Multipath Indicator: (FM Only) A small "MP" icon that flashes if high multipath interference is detected, suggesting the user needs to reposition. 🛠️ Technical Implementation
DSP Registry Access: Pulls data from the Si473X registers for SNR and RSSI using the PU2CLR SI4735 Library.
Memory Optimization: To fit this in the ATmega328P, the feature uses a Low-Res Graphic Mode (drawn with simple line-bitmaps) to save flash space compared to high-res fonts.
Control Integration: Toggled via a Long Press on the STEP or BAND button to avoid adding new physical switches. 📝 Logic Draft (Pseudo-code) Go to product viewer dialog for this item
void updateSQS() if (sqsModeEnabled) si4735.getCurrentAutomatedDigitalLevel(); int currentSNR = si4735.getCurrentSNR(); int currentRSSI = si4735.getCurrentRSSI(); // Draw logic for the OLED display.drawHorizontalBar(0, 54, currentRSSI, MAX_RSSI); display.drawGhostMarker(lastPeakRSSI); if (currentSNR < 5) display.printIcon(ICON_NOISY); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 🚀 How to Add This Feature
To implement a custom feature like this into your ATS-20, follow these steps:
Get the Source: Download the Goshante ATS_EX or PU2CLR source code from GitHub.
Edit in Arduino IDE: Open the .ino sketch. Use Arduino IDE 1.8 for best compatibility with older libraries.
Optimize Space: If the code is too large, comment out unused bands (like LW or specific SW segments) in the bandtable section.
Flash: Connect via USB (ensure the CH340 driver is installed) and select Arduino Nano (ATmega328P) as the board. How to Upgrade Firmware on the ATS-20+ Radio (Correct way)
Title: ATS20 Firmware Deep Dive: Which one gives the best performance?
Posted by: RadioRookie42
Hey everyone,
I’ve been tinkering with the ATS20 (Si5351 + Si4732 based SDR receiver) for a few months now. While the stock firmware is fine, I recently dove into the custom firmware options, and wow – it’s a completely different radio.
If you’re new to the ATS20, here’s a breakdown of the firmware scene I wish I had from day one. Title: ATS20 Firmware Deep Dive: Which one gives
The Stock Firmware – Functional, but Sleeping Potential
Out of the box, the factory firmware works. You can tune from 100 kHz to 30 MHz (and beyond, with mods), listen to AM, LSB, USB, and even FM. But it feels… restrained. The user interface is clunky, memory slots are limited, and the noise floor is higher than it should be.
The real magic happens when you realize: this is not a closed system.
4. The Spectrum Waterfall (ATS20+ Only)
The most exciting feature added by firmware like PU2CLR's SSB library is a rudimentary spectrum scope. Using the radio’s internal ADC, the screen can display a live waterfall of signals up/down the band.
The Gold Standard: IU5JAE's Firmware
The most significant firmware project for the ATS-20 series comes from Italian developer Andrea (IU5JAE) . His firmware has become the gold standard for this radio.
Part 1: What is ATS20 Firmware?
In simple terms, firmware is the operating system of the radio. It is the software permanently stored on the microcontroller (usually an ATmega328 or similar) that governs:
- User Interface (UI): How the buttons, encoder wheel, and display interact.
- Tuning Algorithms: How fast you scan frequencies and how the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) behaves.
- Demodulation: How the radio processes SSB, AM, and NFM signals.
The original ATS20 firmware is functional but barebones. Community developers have reverse-engineered the hardware to create custom firmware that dramatically improves performance.
E. Memory & Scanning
- Presets: Typically supports 256+ memory channels.
- Band Scanning: Scan up or down within the current band.
- Squelch: Adjustable squelch levels to silence background noise during scanning.
Part 3: Types of ATS20 Firmware (Which one is right for you?)
Before downloading, identify your hardware. The original ATS20 uses a blue PCB and an ATmega328. The ATS20+ uses a red PCB and often includes a battery charging IC. Do not mix them up.
Here are the three major firmware branches:
The Ultimate Guide to ATS20 Firmware: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Receiver
The ATS20 (and its popular successor, the ATS20+) is a staple in the world of low-cost SDR (Software Defined Radio) and portable shortwave listening. For under $50, hobbyists get a compact, Si4732-based radio capable of SSB (Single Sideband), AM, and FM reception. However, the stock software these devices ship with often leaves much to be desired.
The secret to transforming this budget radio into a powerful DXing tool lies in one phrase: ATS20 firmware.
Whether you are experiencing display glitches, poor audio filtering, or simply want to add new features like spectrum scopes, updating the firmware is the best upgrade you can perform. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
5. Known Firmware Limitations
- Touch Key Sensitivity: Many users complain that the firmware's handling of the capacitive touch keys is either too sensitive or not sensitive enough (often requiring calibration).
- SSB "clicks": Some older firmware versions produced audible "clicks" when tuning SSB frequencies.
- Sync Detection: Unlike the ATS-25 (a successor model), the ATS-20 firmware generally lacks synchronous AM detection, which can make shortwave listening prone to fading distortion.
Print 
FAQ