[Hardware feature request] Would it be possible to enable FM-radio hw in the 2nd Jolla hardware? [duplicate]

asked 2013-12-26 01:05:04 +0200

5243 ●37 ●43 ●44

https://www.facebook.com/...

updated 2013-12-29 12:34:26 +0200

Contemporary mobile phone hw seems to always include FM chip. However, too often FM is not enabled at HW level (antenna is missing, connections are missing etc.). Jolla follows that scheme: FM tuner is integrated into SoC, but antenna and wiring are not implemented which renders FM tuner unusable.

REQUEST: Please include FM radio functionality in 2nd HW revision IF SoC offers that, I have used FM receiver since N900 and enjoyed it a lot.

IMPORTANT!:This topic is about adding FM-functions into Jolla hardware, please continue OtherHalf-FM discussion here: https://together.jolla.com/question/5508/theotherhalf-create-otherhalf-with-fm-tuner/ regs, @LaruX

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The question has been closed for the following reason "duplicate question" by JSEHV
close date 2016-02-08 14:03:34.379160

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2

or possibly even enabled with a special TOH?

AL13N ( 2013-12-26 01:36:30 +0200 )edit

4

That's one of the hardware downgrade from N900 (with stereo speakers and IR LED). I was also using FM radio quite often and finding that it's missing on Jolla, even thoug the uset SoC has FM receiver capability, was a disappointment. So, enabling FM radio on next device would be a slight reason for me to upgrade ;-)

Jamar ( 2013-12-26 01:49:38 +0200 )edit

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Adding FM receiver to TOH would require it to contain FM chip, ADC and find the way to transfer audio stream throuhg I2C. I don't know if it's even possible...

Jamar ( 2013-12-26 01:51:50 +0200 )edit

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The ToH could include audio output capabilities (even "proper" sized speaker and batteries) itself and just use I2C for controlling the freq if audio routing trough I2C is not possible.

onion ( 2013-12-26 13:13:31 +0200 )edit

2

That could be a solution. But then, if you'd like to listen radio on headphones, you'd need to have two 3.5mm jacks - one standard on phone and second on the radio TOH. Also, I already really want HW KB TOH, now I'll need to carry anodher FM radio TOH in case I'll want to listen radio. Well, then I'd rather bring some small independent pocket radio. So, I still prefer to enable FM radio on next Jolla phone, once this feature is already part of it's SoC.

Jamar ( 2013-12-26 15:25:16 +0200 )edit

12

answered 2013-12-31 13:53:14 +0200

zeta
973 ●8 ●14 ●15

I am using a lot FM functionality too, especially FM transmitter which allows to transmit music to about all the audio systems in the world (cars, most HiFi amplifiers, small tuners, ...) even when you forgot the correct cable to connect it to the 3.5mm headphone output, or if they have no external input or Bluetooth connectivity.

Putting everything that the Jolla phone lacks in an other half is not a long term solution, as I would need a pile of several other halfs (LPM display, FM receiver/transmitter, improved camera, hardware keyboard, bigger battery, OTG USB, ...). Putting these basic things in the future hardware would allow to focus the other half on what is really interesting to change, like the hardware keyboard.

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Yes, you would need a pile of other halfs, howevr, it seems that it might be possible to stack otherhals (at least i2c allows it): https://together.jolla.com/question/3042/theotherhalfs-is-it-possible-to-stack-otherhalfs/

LaruX ( 2014-01-03 12:40:44 +0200 )edit

7

answered 2013-12-31 18:38:04 +0200

javispedro

2402 ●33 ●44 ●42

http://javispedro.com/

updated 2014-06-01 22:01:45 +0200

I have not been able to upload firmware to the FM hardware on the Jolla, getting I2C timeouts.

Not having access to schematics or even a manual of the SoC, I have no idea what's missing. It would be surprising to me if the antenna wiring for RX is missing, as at least on the el-cheapo SoCs I've worked with there's no way to do this and still have working headphones. Also, I suppose the FMrx hardware is integrated into the SoC (albeit there are mentions of a companion chip?).

Note however that OTOH it is very easy to disable FMtx, so I suspect that is out of the question.

EDIT: Recently I've been able to upload the firmware and even perform a seek. However, RSSI is constantly stuck at 142-144, with no signal lock, so it is probably true antenna is not wired.

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3

Long story short: It's not wired up and not working on the JP-1301 - tested with Android adaptation. I discovered it too late in the process, so the devices don't include FMrx. Sadly.

Stskeeps ( 2013-12-31 18:48:24 +0200 )edit

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I know that, but the curious in me wants to find out what's exactly not wired :) (which I assume you can't describe)

javispedro ( 2013-12-31 18:50:53 +0200 )edit

I'm definitely not the right person to put that kind of thing into words :)

Stskeeps ( 2013-12-31 19:12:06 +0200 )edit

4

Great job @javispedro, I'd love to get a hardware hack that allows us to have FM tx/rx, or at the very least rx

dsilveira ( 2014-06-02 12:32:38 +0200 )edit

7

Hardware hack!!! Yes, that is the word. Hope it is possible. The Jolla team did many things right. But, in my opinion, not wiring the FM tuner (and transmitter) was a really, really stupid decision.

StaticNoiseLog ( 2014-06-02 21:38:59 +0200 )edit

0

answered 2014-12-19 10:37:12 +0200

vaa
286 ●3 ●11 ●17

For me, not having FM rx in a phone is a strong argument not to buy it.

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[Hardware feature request] Would it be possible to enable FM-radio hw in the 2nd Jolla hardware? [duplicate]

The question has been closed for the following reason "duplicate question" by JSEHV
close date 2016-02-08 14:03:34.379160

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[Hardware feature request] Would it be possible to enable FM-radio hw in the 2nd Jolla hardware? [duplicate]

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The question has been closed for the following reason "duplicate question" by JSEHV
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