Harness Runner for WaveCap-SDR

This skill helps run the WaveCap-SDR test harness with automated parameter sweeps, result collection, and regression testing.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Running regression tests after code changes
• Validating audio quality across different configurations
• Testing SDR hardware (RTL-SDR, SDRplay, etc.)
• Benchmarking demodulation modes (FM, AM, SSB)
• Comparing different AGC or filter settings
• Testing with multiple frequencies or channels
• Automated CI/CD testing
• Generating test reports for documentation

How It Works

The WaveCap-SDR harness (

backend/wavecapsdr/harness.py

) is a production-ready test tool that:

1. Starts a server (optional) with specified configuration
2. Creates a capture with SDR device or fake driver
3. Adds channels with specified demodulation settings
4. Captures audio for a duration and measures quality metrics
5. Returns results with RMS levels, peak levels, and pass/fail status

This skill wraps the harness for automated testing scenarios.

Usage Instructions

Basic Harness Usage

Test with Fake Driver (Offline Testing):

cd backend
PYTHONPATH=. .venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
  --start-server \
  --driver fake \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 3

Test with Real SDR (RTL-SDR):

cd backend
PYTHONPATH=. .venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
  --start-server \
  --driver soapy \
  --device-args "driver=rtlsdr" \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 5 \
  --out harness_out

Test with SDRplay:

cd backend
PYTHONPATH=. .venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
  --start-server \
  --driver soapy \
  --device-args "driver=sdrplay,serial=240309F070" \
  --preset marine \
  --duration 5

Advanced: Parameter Sweeps

Use the included script to run parameter sweeps:

PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/harness-runner/run_harness.py \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 3 \
  --driver fake \
  --sweep gain --gain-values 10 20 30 40

Parameters:

• --preset

  : Preset name (kexp, marine, aviation, tone, etc.)

• --duration

  : Seconds to capture per test (default: 3)

• --driver

  : Driver to use (fake, soapy, rtl)

• --device-args

  : Device selector string

• --output-dir

  : Directory for results (default: harness_results)

• --sweep

  : Parameter to sweep (gain, bandwidth, frequency)

• --gain-values

  : List of gain values to test (for gain sweep)

• --bandwidth-values

  : List of bandwidth values (for bandwidth sweep)

• --frequency-offsets

  : List of frequency offsets (for frequency sweep)

• --parallel

  : Run tests in parallel (default: sequential)

• --report

  : Generate HTML/JSON report

Example Workflows

1. Regression Testing After Code Changes:

# Run quick smoke test with fake driver
PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/harness-runner/run_harness.py \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 2 \
  --driver fake \
  --output-dir regression_test_$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S) \
  --report

Expected: All channels should have audio RMS > -40 dB (validates demodulation works)

2. Find Optimal Gain for SDR Device:

# Sweep gain from 0 to 50 dB in 10 dB steps
PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/harness-runner/run_harness.py \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 5 \
  --driver soapy \
  --device-args "driver=rtlsdr" \
  --sweep gain \
  --gain-values 0 10 20 30 40 50 \
  --output-dir gain_sweep_kexp \
  --report

Review report to find gain with best audio level (typically -20 to -10 dB RMS)

3. Test All Presets with Fake Driver:

# Test each preset to ensure they work
for preset in kexp marine aviation noaa tone; do
  echo "Testing preset: $preset"
  PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
    --start-server \
    --driver fake \
    --preset $preset \
    --duration 3 \
    --out harness_out_$preset
done

4. Compare FM Demodulation Quality:

# Test FM demodulation with different configurations
# (Requires modifying harness to support demod parameter sweep)
PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/harness-runner/run_harness.py \
  --preset kexp \
  --driver fake \
  --duration 5 \
  --output-dir fm_demod_test \
  --report

5. Hardware Stress Test:

# Long-duration test to check for memory leaks or crashes
PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
  --start-server \
  --driver soapy \
  --device-args "driver=rtlsdr" \
  --preset kexp \
  --duration 300 \
  --out stress_test

Monitor server logs and system resources during test.

Interpreting Harness Results

The harness outputs JSON reports with channel statistics:

{
  "captureId": "cap_abc123",
  "channels": [
    {
      "channelId": "ch1",
      "label": "KEXP 90.3 FM",
      "offsetHz": -600000,
      "rmsDb": -18.5,
      "peakDb": -6.2,
      "status": "PASS"
    },
    {
      "channelId": "ch2",
      "label": "KNHC 89.5 FM",
      "offsetHz": 800000,
      "rmsDb": -65.2,
      "peakDb": -58.1,
      "status": "FAIL"
    }
  ]
}

Pass/Fail Criteria:

• PASS: RMS > -40 dB (audio is present and audible)
• FAIL: RMS < -40 dB (silence, noise, or tuning issue)
• CLIP: Peak > -0.5 dB (clipping detected, reduce gain)

Typical Good Audio Levels:

• RMS: -20 to -10 dB (strong, clear audio)
• RMS: -30 to -20 dB (moderate audio, acceptable)
• RMS: -40 to -30 dB (weak audio, may have noise)
• RMS: < -40 dB (too quiet, indicates problem)

Common Presets

KEXP (FM Broadcast):

• Center: 90.3 MHz
• Sample rate: 2 MHz
• Channels: KEXP 90.3, KNHC 89.5
• Use for: FM demodulation testing

Marine VHF:

• Center: 156.8 MHz (Channel 16)
• Sample rate: 250 kHz
• Channels: Ch 16, Ch 9, Ch 6
• Use for: Narrowband FM testing

Aviation:

• Center: 118-137 MHz
• Channels: Tower, ATIS, Ground
• Use for: AM demodulation testing

NOAA Weather:

• Center: 162.550 MHz
• Channels: WX1, WX2
• Use for: Continuous broadcast testing

Tone (Test Signal):

• Fake driver generates 1 kHz test tone
• Use for: Offline testing without SDR hardware

Harness Command-Line Options

--start-server       Start embedded server (required for offline testing)
--driver             Driver: fake, soapy, rtl (default: soapy)
--device-args        Device selector (e.g., "driver=rtlsdr")
--preset             Preset name (kexp, marine, aviation, etc.)
--center-hz          Override center frequency
--sample-rate        Override sample rate
--offset             Channel offset Hz (repeatable)
--duration           Seconds to capture (default: 10)
--gain               RF gain in dB
--bandwidth          RF bandwidth in Hz
--out                Output directory for WAV files
--auto-gain          Auto-select optimal gain
--probe-seconds      Seconds for auto-gain probing (default: 2)

Integration with CI/CD

GitHub Actions Example:

name: Test Harness
on: [push, pull_request]

jobs:
  harness:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - name: Setup Python
        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
        with:
          python-version: '3.11'
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: |
          cd backend
          python -m venv .venv
          .venv/bin/pip install -e .
      - name: Run harness tests
        run: |
          cd backend
          PYTHONPATH=. .venv/bin/python -m wavecapsdr.harness \
            --start-server \
            --driver fake \
            --preset kexp \
            --duration 3
      - name: Check exit code
        run: |
          if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
            echo "Harness tests PASSED"
          else
            echo "Harness tests FAILED"
            exit 1
          fi

Troubleshooting

Issue: Harness fails with "No audio detected"

• Check if preset exists in config:

  cat backend/config/wavecapsdr.yaml | grep -A 10 "preset-name"

• Verify device connection:

  SoapySDRUtil --find

• Check antenna is connected
• Try fake driver first:

  --driver fake

Issue: RMS levels very low (< -60 dB)

• Increase gain:

  --gain 30

• Use auto-gain:

  --auto-gain

• Check if frequency is correct
• Verify antenna tuned for frequency range

Issue: Clipping (peak > -0.5 dB)

• Reduce gain:

  --gain 10

• Check for strong nearby signals
• Use AGC in demodulation

Issue: Server port already in use

• Change port:

  --port 8088

• Kill existing server:

  pkill -f wavecapsdr

Files in This Skill

• SKILL.md

  : This file - instructions for using the skill

• run_harness.py

  : Parameter sweep automation script

Notes

• Harness always returns non-zero exit code if any channel fails
• Use

  --duration 3

  for quick tests,

  --duration 10+

  for reliable results
• Fake driver is deterministic (same output every time)
• Real SDR results vary based on signal conditions
• Save WAV files with

  --out

  for manual inspection
• Auto-gain feature requires multiple iterations (slower but finds optimal gain)