BusRadio--Let's Hear It!

This BusRadio Unit (BRU) is an embedded Linux computer that contains a WiFi dongle, cellular modem, GPS receiver, and an AM/FM radio. It runs on an XScale processor. It's a computer disguised as a car stereo; as it's the same size as a single DIN headunit.

In runs what I've found describe to be a "Debian-derived distribution." This may mean that whatever's on it is subject to the terms of the GNU public license.

It was designed by Synthesis Studios and built by Applied Data Systems.

This amazing device can do quite a lot; it's limited only by the software that's programmed to only do what BusRadio needed it to do. And, being I'm not a programmer, I likely won't be able to get it to do much else. According to what little information I've found about it, the apps on it are developed in Python, and I found a few Python scrips on the CF card to support that.


The failure of the BusRadio service may have also had less to do with its criticism and more to do with its programming. The CF card still contained MP3 files of the programs, and although I couldn't actually listen to the program in its original context, what I did find sounded like a really bad radio station that played country music and Justin Bieber. Yuck!

Do you know something more about the BusRadio? "Let's Hear It!"

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• BusRadio
• school
• bus
• radio
• FM
• Blue Bird
• thomas
• wayne
• ward
• amtran
• WiFi
• stereo
• Synthesis Studios
• Raffi Krikorian
• Applied Data Systems
• embedded
• Linux
• Debian
• GNU
• GPL
• computer
• carpc
• xscale
• computing
• Intel
• FCC
• CCFC
• Obligation
• YouTube editor

[ManiacalMichael504]

The manufactuer of the unit it Applied Data Systems, apparently bought by Eurotech. (Thought I put that in the comments but guess not, I did make a follow-up video but never posted it) They did not respond to my inquiry. As far as timing goes; that's exactly how it worked. The CF card contains some Python scripts and a bunch of MP3 files of music, PSAs, and ads. It used some kind of playlist to create an actual program.

[stphinkle]

@vaiaz I was curious if any of my theories of how the BusRadio thing works is correct or not.

[vaiaz]

I liked that you put up this video. I actually know a lot about these little devices. :D

It's very interesting seeing what you think everything does.

[stphinkle]

I also read somewhere that BusRadio had a way of semi-customizing the play lists for each school district that if the school had a problem with a song or advertisement they could exclude it from future play lists. I also wondered if the play list control was used to target different advertisements to different regions of the country.

[stphinkle]

I think your best bet for using this unit is to track down the actual maker of it and see if they would sell you the programming software. It is unlikely that BusRadio made the unit myself in-house. You might look at things like chip markings or board markings and see if any makers are listed.

I also think the USB connections may have something to do with configuring the unit on which server to connect, security, copyright of the music protection, and more.

[stphinkle]

It would make logical sense to download while the bus was parked at the bus barn. The other 12V input probably was when the bus was running used to power the playback, cell phone, display, and audio amp.

I think the audio program (and possibly boot code) may have been stored on the flash drive. I am not sure of the size but I know there is probably a minimum of four hours (possibly eight or more) of audio storage because I heard BusRadio advertised their program of about an hour.

[stphinkle]

I have a theory on the flash drive and what some of the other stuff in the unit is. It appears that the transformer and bigger capacitors may be an audio amplifier of some kind. I think the second 12V input may have powered the flash and Wi-Fi directly off the battery. The unit may have been programmed to turn on via a timer sometime in the late evening or night to download the next day's radio program.