This document analyzes the current Ribbit implementation and provides a comprehensive plan for a new release that makes the WebAssembly module super easy to use for developers and the web app fun and easy to get started with. We’re ignoring backwards compatibility to deliver a fresh, modern experience.
Docs/)Strengths: Very thorough technical documentation Gaps: No developer-friendly quickstart guides, no high-level API abstractions
src/ribbit/)Strengths: Solid C++ foundation with efficient algorithms Issues: Complex memory management, no high-level abstractions
web/)Strengths: Functional end-to-end implementation Issues: Complex setup, poor user experience, manual WASM loading
// Current: Complex manual loading
Module().then((moduleInstance) => {
moduleInstance._createEncoder();
moduleInstance._initEncoder(messagePtr, messageLength);
// Manual memory management required
const ptr = module._malloc(sizeInBytes);
module._free(ptr);
});
// New: Simple promise-based API
import { RibbitWASM } from 'ribbit-wasm';
const ribbit = await RibbitWASM.load();
// Automatic encoding with memory management
const audioBuffer = await ribbit.encodeMessage("Hello World!");
const decodedMessage = await ribbit.decodeAudio(audioBuffer);
WASM Wrapper Class (ribbit-wasm.js):
class RibbitWASM {
static async load() {
const module = await Module();
return new RibbitWASM(module);
}
constructor(module) {
this.module = module;
this._init();
}
async _init() {
this.module._createEncoder();
this.module._createDecoder();
}
async encodeMessage(text, options = {}) {
// Automatic memory management
const encoder = new MessageEncoder(this.module);
return encoder.encode(text, options);
}
async decodeAudio(audioBuffer) {
// Automatic memory management
const decoder = new MessageDecoder(this.module);
return decoder.decode(audioBuffer);
}
}
Message Classes:
class MessageEncoder {
constructor(module) {
this.module = module;
}
async encode(message, {
callsign = "NOCALL",
gridsquare = "AA00aa",
name = ""
} = {}) {
// Automatic UTF-8 encoding and memory management
const messageBytes = this._stringToBytes(message);
const messagePtr = this._allocateBuffer(messageBytes);
try {
this.module._initEncoder(messagePtr, messageBytes.length);
this.module._readEncoder();
const signalPtr = this.module._signal_pointer();
const signalLength = this.module._signal_length();
return this._copySignalBuffer(signalPtr, signalLength);
} finally {
this._freeBuffer(messagePtr);
}
}
}
Modern HTML Structure:
<div id="app">
<header class="app-header">
<h1>Ribbit</h1>
<nav class="nav-controls">
<button id="settings-btn">⚙️</button>
</nav>
</header>
<main class="chat-container">
<div id="messages" class="messages-list"></div>
<div class="message-input">
<input type="text" id="message-input" placeholder="Type a message...">
<button id="send-btn">📡</button>
</div>
</main>
<div id="settings-panel" class="settings-panel hidden">
<!-- Simplified settings -->
</div>
</div>
Modern CSS (Tailwind-inspired):
:root {
--primary: #22c55e;
--secondary: #16a34a;
--background: #f8fafc;
--surface: #ffffff;
}
.app-header {
background: var(--primary);
color: white;
padding: 1rem;
box-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.message-input {
display: flex;
gap: 0.5rem;
padding: 1rem;
background: var(--surface);
border-top: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
}
Reactive JavaScript:
class RibbitApp {
constructor() {
this.wasm = null;
this.messages = [];
this.init();
}
async init() {
// One-click WASM loading
this.wasm = await RibbitWASM.load();
// Auto-detect capabilities
await this.detectCapabilities();
// Load saved settings or show setup
await this.loadSettings();
// Initialize UI
this.bindEvents();
this.render();
}
async sendMessage(text) {
// Visual feedback
this.showEncodingIndicator();
try {
const audioBuffer = await this.wasm.encodeMessage(text, {
callsign: this.settings.callsign,
gridsquare: this.settings.gridsquare
});
// Visual confirmation
this.showEncodedMessage(text, audioBuffer);
// Play audio
await this.playAudio(audioBuffer);
} catch (error) {
this.showError("Failed to encode message: " + error.message);
} finally {
this.hideEncodingIndicator();
}
}
}
// Install
npm install ribbit-wasm
// Basic usage
import { RibbitWASM } from 'ribbit-wasm';
const ribbit = await RibbitWASM.load();
const audio = await ribbit.encodeMessage("Hello World!");
console.log("Encoded audio length:", audio.length);
// Custom encoding options
const audio = await ribbit.encodeMessage("CQ CQ", {
callsign: "KO6BVA",
gridsquare: "CM87uq",
emergency: false,
messageType: 1 // Chat
});
// Real-time decoding
const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ audio: true });
const decoded = await ribbit.decodeStream(stream);
decoded.on('message', (message) => {
console.log("Received:", message);
});
This release plan transforms Ribbit from a complex technical implementation into an accessible, enjoyable platform for both developers and end users. By focusing on simplicity, modern design, and excellent developer experience, we can significantly grow the Ribbit community while maintaining the technical excellence that makes the project special.
The key insight is that Ribbit’s sophisticated DSP algorithms are its secret sauce, but they shouldn’t be a barrier to entry. By wrapping them in intuitive APIs and presenting them through a delightful interface, we can make digital HF radio communication accessible to everyone.