Difference between revisions of "Verifying USRP Operation"

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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
This Application Note will cover testing your USRP to verify it is operational. You will need to have a working installation of UHD to preform the following steps to verify your USRP. If you do not have UHD installed, please reference the [[Basic_Installation_Instructions|Basic Installation Instructions]] Application Note for your operating system. Alternatively, you may use the [LiveUSB SDR Environment] to perform the following steps. More information about the LiveUSB SDR environment is available at the Live SDR Environment Getting Started page.
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Application Note Number: AN-5501
 +
 
 +
Authors: John Smith and Jane Smith
 +
 
 +
Last Modified Date: 2016/04/15
 +
 
 +
==Overview==
 +
This application note will cover testing your USRP to verify it is operational. You will need to have a working installation of UHD to preform the following steps to verify your USRP. If you do not have UHD installed, please reference the [[Basic_Installation_Instructions|Basic Installation Instructions]] Application Note for your operating system. Alternatively, you may use the LiveUSB SDR Environment to perform the following steps. More information about the LiveUSB SDR environment is available at the [[Live SDR Environment Getting Started]] page.
  
 
==Proper Care and Handling==
 
==Proper Care and Handling==
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==Finding the Device==
 
==Finding the Device==
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*Report detailed information on UHD-supported Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network, or embedded configuration. Details  include unit names, revision numbers, and available sensors on all attached USRP motherboards and daughterboards.
 
     uhd_usrp_probe
 
     uhd_usrp_probe
  
Report detailed information on UHD-supported Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network, or embedded configuration. Details  include unit names, revision numbers, and available sensors on all attached USRP motherboards and daughterboards.
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*Find UHD-supporting Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network or embedded configuration. Uses broadcast packets for discovery. Often blocked by routers, switches, firewalls.
 
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     uhd_find_devices
 
     uhd_find_devices
  
Find UHD-supporting Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network or embedded configuration. Uses broadcast packets for discovery. Often blocked by routers, switches, firewalls.
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*View firewall settings with:
 
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View firewall settings with:
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     sudo iptables -L
 
     sudo iptables -L
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 +
==UHD Programs==
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Located at
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    $prefix/lib/uhd/utils
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 +
Default location:
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    /usr/local/lib/uhd/utils
  
 
==Benchmarking your system==
 
==Benchmarking your system==
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*Benchmarks interface with device.
 
     ./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6
 
     ./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6
 
Benchmarks interface with device.
 
  
 
==Receiving Samples==  
 
==Receiving Samples==  
     rx_samples_to_file
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*Saves samples to file
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     ./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 usrp_samples.dat
  
 
==Transmitting Samples==
 
==Transmitting Samples==
     tx_samples_from_file
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*Transmits samples from file
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     ./tx_samples_from_file --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 10 usrp_samples.dat
  
 
==Terminal DFT/FFT==
 
==Terminal DFT/FFT==
    rx_ascii_art_dft
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*Creates ASCII/Ncurses FFT
 
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    ./rx_ascii_art_dft --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --bw 5e6 --ref-lvl -50
 
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Default installation location is
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    /usr/local/lib/uhd/examples
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rx_ascii_art_dft
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Creates ASCII/Ncurses FFT  
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./rx_ascii_art_dft --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --bw 5e6 --ref-lvl -50
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rx_samples_to_file
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Saves samples to file
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./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 usrp_samples.dat
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tx_samples_from_file
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Transmits samples from file
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./tx_samples_from_file --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 10 usrp_samples.dat
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benchmark_rate
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Benchmarks interface with device
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./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6
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tx_waveforms
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Transmits specific waveform
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./tx_waveforms --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 0
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Default installation location is /usr/local/lib/uhd/utils
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==Transmit test signal==
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*Transmits specific waveform
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    ./tx_waveforms --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 0
  
uhd_images_downloader
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==Additional UHD Utilities==
Downloads FPGA images for current UHD version
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*Downloads FPGA images for current UHD version
 +
    uhd_images_downloader
  
usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner
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*Flashes an image onto the X300/X310 FPGA
Flashes an image onto the X300/X310 FPGA
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    usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner
  
usrp_burn_mb_eeprom
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*Reading and writing motherboard EEPROM
Reading and writing motherboard EEPROM
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    usrp_burn_mb_eeprom
  
usrp_burn_db_eeprom
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*Reading and writing daughterboard EEPROM
Reading and writing daughterboard EEPROM
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    usrp_burn_db_eeprom
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Application Notes and White Papers]]
 
[[Category:Application Notes and White Papers]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 19 April 2016

Introduction

Application Note Number: AN-5501

Authors: John Smith and Jane Smith

Last Modified Date: 2016/04/15

Overview

This application note will cover testing your USRP to verify it is operational. You will need to have a working installation of UHD to preform the following steps to verify your USRP. If you do not have UHD installed, please reference the Basic Installation Instructions Application Note for your operating system. Alternatively, you may use the LiveUSB SDR Environment to perform the following steps. More information about the LiveUSB SDR environment is available at the Live SDR Environment Getting Started page.

Proper Care and Handling

All Ettus Research products are individually tested before shipment. The USRP is guaranteed to be functional at the time it is received by the customer. Improper use or handling of the USRP can easily cause the device to become non-functional. Listed below are some examples of actions which can prevent damage to the unit:

  • Never allow metal objects to touch the circuit board while powered.
  • Always properly terminate the transmit port with an antenna or 50Ω load.
  • Always handle the board with proper anti-static methods.
  • Never allow the board to directly or indirectly come into contact with any voltage spikes.
  • Never allow any water, or condensing moisture, to come into contact with the boards.
  • Always use caution with FPGA, firmware, or software modifications.
  • Always use atleast 30dB of attenuation if in loop back configuration

Finding the Device

  • Report detailed information on UHD-supported Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network, or embedded configuration. Details include unit names, revision numbers, and available sensors on all attached USRP motherboards and daughterboards.
   uhd_usrp_probe
  • Find UHD-supporting Software Radio Peripherals attached by USB, network or embedded configuration. Uses broadcast packets for discovery. Often blocked by routers, switches, firewalls.
   uhd_find_devices
  • View firewall settings with:
   sudo iptables -L

UHD Programs

Located at

   $prefix/lib/uhd/utils

Default location:

   /usr/local/lib/uhd/utils

Benchmarking your system

  • Benchmarks interface with device.
   ./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6

Receiving Samples

  • Saves samples to file
   ./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 usrp_samples.dat

Transmitting Samples

  • Transmits samples from file
   ./tx_samples_from_file --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 10 usrp_samples.dat

Terminal DFT/FFT

  • Creates ASCII/Ncurses FFT
   ./rx_ascii_art_dft --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --bw 5e6 --ref-lvl -50

Transmit test signal

  • Transmits specific waveform
   ./tx_waveforms --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 0 

Additional UHD Utilities

  • Downloads FPGA images for current UHD version
   uhd_images_downloader
  • Flashes an image onto the X300/X310 FPGA
   usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner
  • Reading and writing motherboard EEPROM
   usrp_burn_mb_eeprom
  • Reading and writing daughterboard EEPROM
   usrp_burn_db_eeprom