Remote Desktop Documentation
Learn how to use the remote desktop features to control SDR equipment
Interface Components
The remote desktop interface provides a complete view of the host computer connected to the SDR device. The interface includes:
- Screen sharing window showing the remote desktop
- Control panel with special keys and functions
- File browser for transferring files
- Chat panel for communication
- Session recording controls
- Status indicators for connection quality
Technology Stack
The remote desktop functionality is built using the following technologies:
- WebRTC: For low-latency video streaming and input capture
- WebSockets: For real-time communication and control
- HTML5 Canvas: For rendering the remote screen
- Web Workers: For efficient processing of video frames
- IndexedDB: For local caching of files and settings
Connection Process
- User navigates to the device page and clicks "Remote Access"
- System verifies the user has an active reservation for the device
- WebRTC connection is established with the host computer
- Video stream from the host computer is displayed in the browser
- Keyboard and mouse inputs are captured and sent to the host
- Additional features (file transfer, chat, etc.) are initialized
Basic Controls
The remote desktop interface captures your keyboard and mouse inputs and sends them to the remote system:
- Click inside the screen sharing window to capture keyboard focus
- Use your mouse and keyboard as you would on a local system
- Mouse movements, clicks, and scrolling are transmitted in real-time
- Keyboard input is sent as you type, including modifier keys
Special Keys
Some key combinations are captured by the browser and not sent to the remote system. Use the special keys panel for these combinations:
Keyboard Layouts
The remote desktop supports multiple keyboard layouts. You can select your keyboard layout from the settings menu:
Mouse Options
The remote desktop interface provides several mouse options to improve your experience:
- Relative mouse mode for applications that require precise control
- Mouse sensitivity adjustment for better precision
- Right-click emulation for single-button mice
- Middle-click emulation for scrolling and special functions
- Touch screen support for mobile devices
Tip:
For applications that require precise mouse control (like GNU Radio), enable "Relative Mouse Mode" in the settings panel for better accuracy.
File Browser Interface
The file browser allows you to transfer files between your local computer and the remote system:
- Click the "File Browser" button in the control panel
- The file browser will open, showing both local and remote file systems
- Navigate to the desired folders
- Drag and drop files between the local and remote panels
- Right-click for additional options (rename, delete, etc.)
Supported Operations
File Operations
- Upload files to the remote system
- Download files from the remote system
- Create new folders
- Rename files and folders
- Delete files and folders
- Copy and paste files
Supported File Types
- Text files (.txt, .csv, .json, etc.)
- GNU Radio flowgraphs (.grc)
- Python scripts (.py)
- Signal recordings (.sigmf, .dat, .iq)
- Images and documents
- Compressed archives (.zip, .tar.gz)
Transfer Limits
The file transfer system has the following limitations:
- Maximum file size: 2 GB per file
- Maximum concurrent transfers: 5 files
- Supported file systems: FAT32, NTFS, ext3, ext4
- Transfer speed depends on your internet connection
Tip:
For large data files, consider compressing them before transfer or using the data export API for more efficient transfers.
Chat System
The integrated chat feature allows you to communicate with other users who may be observing your session:
- Click the "Chat" button in the control panel to open the chat window
- Type your message and press Enter to send
- Receive messages from other connected users
- Share links and text information without interrupting your work
- Chat history is preserved for the duration of the session
Shared Sessions
You can invite other users to observe your session:
- Click the "Share Session" button in the control panel
- Enter the email addresses of the users you want to invite
- Select the permissions for each user (view only, chat, file transfer, etc.)
- Click "Send Invitations" to send email invitations
- Invited users can join by clicking the link in the email
Permission Levels:
| Level | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Observer | View only, no interaction |
| Participant | View and chat, no control |
| Collaborator | View, chat, file transfer, no control |
| Co-pilot | Full access including control (with permission) |
Recording Controls
You can record your remote desktop sessions for later review or documentation:
- Click the "Record" button in the control panel to start recording
- A red indicator will show that recording is in progress
- Click "Stop Recording" when you're finished
- The recording will be processed and saved to your account
- Access your recordings from the "Recordings" section in your dashboard
Recording Features
- Screen capture at 720p resolution
- Audio recording (if enabled)
- Automatic timestamping
- Downloadable in MP4 format
- Recordings stored for 30 days
- Ability to add notes and tags to recordings
Playback and Sharing
To review and share your recordings:
- Navigate to the "Recordings" section in your dashboard
- Click on a recording to view it
- Use the playback controls to navigate through the recording
- Click "Download" to save the recording to your local computer
- Click "Share" to generate a link that you can share with others
Privacy Note:
Recordings are private by default and can only be accessed by you. If you share a recording, only users with the link can view it. You can revoke access to shared recordings at any time.