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| Pieps DSP |
 The
Pieps DSP can be updated (read about upgrading the Ortovox S1 or the
Barryvox Pulse). The update is done through the earphone jack. The ability to update your beacon is
important, because it allows you to get enhancements and new features without purchasing a new avalanche transceiver. To determine which version of the software
you have, press and hold the DSP's "(((" button and turn on your transceiver. (On earlier models of the DSP, hold down the "?" button.)
The cost to upgrade (in the USA) is around $20. Contact a Pieps
Service Center for additional information.
Fall 2009
Version 6.2 remains the current version at the start of the 2009/10 season.
Version 6.2 includes all of the previous enhancements, plus enhancements dealing with the
iProbe.
Version 5.0 includes the Smart Transmitter, iProbe support,
the ability to test the transmitting frequency of another beacon, an "old beacon
mode" (where the little men blink if a continuous carrier is detected), improved
Mark and Scan functions, and an improved self-test. You
can read a brief summary of the new features in this press release.
Version 4.0 includes a new feature called a Smart Transmitter. Here is a brief explanation
of this feature. (I tested this in version 4.0 and again in 5.0.)
Consider two cars at an intersection with their turn signals on. If the cadence of the turn signals is not identical, there
will be times when the lights of both cars are blinking at the same time, periods when they are partially overlapping, and periods
when the lights are blinking independently. This also happens with two transceivers. There are times when both transceivers are
transmitting a "beep" at the same time ("signal overlap"), times when they are partially overlapping, and times when the beeps
do not overlap. Unfortunately, when the beeps overlap, the searching transceiver treats this as one beep. This makes it difficult
for the searching beacon to distinguish between multiple victims.
With the Smart Transmitter feature of the Pieps DSP, the DSP continually scans for a second transmitter while it is transmitting
(i.e., it is receiving and transmitting at the same time). If it receives a signal from another transmitter (as happens during
a multiple burial, but also while standing next to your buddy), the DSP will adjust the cadence of its "beep" so it isn't overlapped
by the other beacon's "beep." I have tested this feature several times and it works well (it takes one to two minutes for the
DSP to analyze the other beacon and adjust its cadence). The Smart Transmitter feature works when there is only one other
beacon transmitting and that beacon is relatively close (approximately 5 meters).
Some people have expressed concerns that the DSP's changing cadence will confuse the searching transceiver. I expect that the
"confusion" caused by the DSP's changing cadence (which only happens once and occurs within two minutes) is less significant than
the confusion caused by signal overlap issues.
You can read this very technical paper regarding the overlapping
of signals during multiple burials or this abbreviated report.
This version includes a handy frequency tester that allows you to test the frequency of your friend's beacon. The image to
the right shows a Pieps DSP checking the frequency of a Tracker DTS. Learn more about the Pieps frequency tester
here.
Version 3.1 also improves the Mark function which is used during multiple burials.
This version was free to customers at
Pieps Service Centers.
2005-2006 Season, version 2.8
Version 2.8 was released during the 2005-2006 season. This version dramatically improves the DSP's ability to locate out-of-frequency
transmitters (i.e., older analog transceivers). It flashes "500" if the transmitting beacon is out-of-frequency. Learn more
here.
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December 2006,