Verifying the Operation of the USRP Using UHD and GNU Radio

1 Application Note Information
2 Authors
3 Abstract
4 Overview
5 Proper Care and Handling
6 Finding the Device
7 UHD Programs
8 Benchmarking your system
9 Receiving Samples
10 Transmitting Samples
11 Terminal DFT/FFT
12 Transmit test signal
13 USRP as Spectrum Analyzer using uhd_fft
14 USRP as Signal Generator using uhd_siggen and uhd_siggen_gui
15 Additional UHD Utilities

Application Note Information

AN-936

Authors

Neel Pandeya and Siddhant Dhawan

Abstract

This AN explains how to use UHD and GNU Radio, once installed, to verify the correct operation of the USRP. Several test procedures are explained in detail. Several tests make use of an optional spectrum analyzer and signal generator.

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 Building and Installing the USRP Open-Source Toolchain (UHD and GNU Radio) on Linux, OS X and Windows Application Notes.

Alternatively, you may use the Live SDR Environment to perform the following steps. More information about the Live SDR Environment is available at the Live SDR Environment Getting Started Guides 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.

	Never apply more than -15 dBm of power into any RF input
	Always use at least 30dB attenuation if operating in loopback 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

Example output from uhd_usrp_probe:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:~$ uhd_usrp_probe
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [X300] X300 initialization sequence...
[INFO] [X300] Maximum frame size: 1472 bytes.
[INFO] [X300] Radio 1x clock: 200 MHz
  _____________________________________________________
 /
|       Device: X-Series Device
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       Mboard: X310
|   |   revision: 11
|   |   revision_compat: 4
|   |   product: 30720
|   |   mac-addr0: 00:80:2f:21:9b:fa
|   |   mac-addr1: 00:80:2f:21:9b:fb
|   |   gateway: 192.168.10.1
|   |   ip-addr0: 192.168.10.3
|   |   subnet0: 255.255.255.0
|   |   ip-addr1: 192.168.20.2
|   |   subnet1: 255.255.255.0
|   |   ip-addr2: 192.168.30.2
|   |   subnet2: 255.255.255.0
|   |   ip-addr3: 192.168.40.2
|   |   subnet3: 255.255.255.0
|   |   serial: 30A0656
|   |   FW Version: 6.1
|   |   FPGA Version: 39.2
|   |   FPGA git hash: 6a990d9
|   |   RFNoC capable: Yes
|   |   
|   |   Time sources:  internal, external, gpsdo
|   |   Clock sources: internal, external, gpsdo
|   |   Sensors: temp_fpga, ref_locked
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       RFNoC blocks on this device:
|   |   
|   |   * 0/DDC#0
|   |   * 0/DDC#1
|   |   * 0/DUC#0
|   |   * 0/DUC#1
|   |   * 0/Radio#0
|   |   * 0/Radio#1
|   |   * 0/Replay#0
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       Static connections on this device:
|   |   
|   |   * 0/SEP#0:0==>0/DUC#0:0
|   |   * 0/DUC#0:0==>0/Radio#0:0
|   |   * 0/Radio#0:0==>0/DDC#0:0
|   |   * 0/DDC#0:0==>0/SEP#0:0
|   |   * 0/Radio#0:1==>0/DDC#0:1
|   |   * 0/DDC#0:1==>0/SEP#1:0
|   |   * 0/SEP#2:0==>0/DUC#1:0
|   |   * 0/DUC#1:0==>0/Radio#1:0
|   |   * 0/Radio#1:0==>0/DDC#1:0
|   |   * 0/DDC#1:0==>0/SEP#2:0
|   |   * 0/Radio#1:1==>0/DDC#1:1
|   |   * 0/DDC#1:1==>0/SEP#3:0
|   |   * 0/SEP#4:0==>0/Replay#0:0
|   |   * 0/Replay#0:0==>0/SEP#4:0
|   |   * 0/SEP#5:0==>0/Replay#0:1
|   |   * 0/Replay#0:1==>0/SEP#5:0
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       TX Dboard: 0/Radio#0
|   |   ID: UBX-TDD (0x0202)
|   |   Serial: 322248F
|   |   Revision: 2
|   |     _____________________________________________________
|   |    /
|   |   |       TX Frontend: 0
|   |   |   Name: UBX TX
|   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, CAL
|   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
|   |   |   Freq range: 10.000 to 6000.000 MHz
|   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
|   |   |   Bandwidth range: 160000000.0 to 160000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
|   |   |   Connection Type: QI
|   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       RX Dboard: 0/Radio#0
|   |   ID: UBX-TDD (0x0203)
|   |   Serial: 322248F
|   |   Revision: 2
|   |     _____________________________________________________
|   |    /
|   |   |       RX Frontend: 0
|   |   |   Name: UBX RX
|   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, RX2, CAL
|   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
|   |   |   Freq range: 10.000 to 6000.000 MHz
|   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
|   |   |   Bandwidth range: 160000000.0 to 160000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
|   |   |   Connection Type: IQ
|   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       TX Dboard: 0/Radio#1
|   |   ID: CBX-120 (0x0084)
|   |   Serial: 313BF2A
|   |   Revision: 1
|   |     _____________________________________________________
|   |    /
|   |   |       TX Frontend: 0
|   |   |   Name: CBX-120 TX
|   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, CAL
|   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
|   |   |   Freq range: 1200.000 to 6000.000 MHz
|   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
|   |   |   Bandwidth range: 120000000.0 to 120000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
|   |   |   Connection Type: QI
|   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
|     _____________________________________________________
|    /
|   |       RX Dboard: 0/Radio#1
|   |   ID: CBX-120 (0x0085)
|   |   Serial: 313BF2A
|   |   Revision: 1
|   |     _____________________________________________________
|   |    /
|   |   |       RX Frontend: 0
|   |   |   Name: CBX-120 RX
|   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, RX2, CAL
|   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
|   |   |   Freq range: 1200.000 to 6000.000 MHz
|   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
|   |   |   Bandwidth range: 120000000.0 to 120000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
|   |   |   Connection Type: IQ
|   |   |   Uses LO offset: No

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

Example output from uhd_find_devices:

[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
--------------------------------------------------
-- UHD Device 0
--------------------------------------------------
Device Address:
    serial: 30A0656
    addr: 192.168.10.3
    fpga: HG
    name: 
    product: X310
    type: x300


--------------------------------------------------
-- UHD Device 1
--------------------------------------------------
Device Address:
    serial: 345D72B
    name: PBU_USRP_2901
    product: B210
    type: b200


--------------------------------------------------
-- UHD Device 2
--------------------------------------------------
Device Address:
    serial: 352F061
    name: B206i
    product: B206mini
    type: b200

View firewall settings with:

   sudo iptables -L

UHD Programs

The example programs included with the UHD driver will be located at:

   $install_prefix/lib/uhd/examples

On Linux, the default installation prefix location is /usr/local.

The example programs are located in the folder:

   /usr/local/lib/uhd/examples

On OSX, the configuration is similar to Linux, however the default installation prefix location is /opt/local.

The example programs will be located in the folder:

   /opt/local/lib/uhd/examples

On Windows, the default installation prefix will be C:\Program Files\UHD\.

The example programs will be located in the folder:

   C:\Program Files\UHD\lib\uhd\examples

Before executing the following commands, change directory to the appropriate location.

Benchmarking your system

Benchmarks interface with device.

   ./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6 --args "type=x300"

Example output from benmark_rate:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$ ./benchmark_rate --rx_rate 10e6 --tx_rate 10e6 --args "type=x300"

[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[00:00:00.000330] Creating the usrp device with: type=x300...
[INFO] [X300] X300 initialization sequence...
[INFO] [X300] Maximum frame size: 1472 bytes.
[INFO] [X300] Radio 1x clock: 200 MHz
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: X-Series Device
  Mboard 0: X310
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: UBX RX
  RX Channel: 1
    RX DSP: 1
    RX Dboard: B
    RX Subdev: CBX-120 RX
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: UBX TX
  TX Channel: 1
    TX DSP: 1
    TX Dboard: B
    TX Subdev: CBX-120 TX

[00:00:02.315579022] Setting device timestamp to 0...
Setting TX samples per packet (spp) to 364
Setting TX samples per burst (spb) to 364
[00:00:02.318249157] Testing receive rate 10.000000 Msps on 1 channels
[00:00:02.320136063] Testing transmit rate 10.000000 Msps on 1 channels
[00:00:12.332582703] Benchmark complete.


Benchmark rate summary:
  Num received samples:     99999647
  Num dropped samples:      0
  Num overruns detected:    0
  Num transmitted samples:  100113832
  Num sequence errors (Tx): 0
  Num sequence errors (Rx): 0
  Num underruns detected:   0
  Num late commands:        0
  Num timeouts (Tx):        0
  Num timeouts (Rx):        0


Done!

Receiving Samples

Saves samples to file

   ./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --duration 10 usrp_samples.dat

Example output from rx_samples_to_file:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$ sudo ./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --duration 10 --args "type=x300" usrp_samples.dat
[sudo] password for ettus-24-02: 

Creating the usrp device with: type=x300...
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [X300] X300 initialization sequence...
[INFO] [X300] Maximum frame size: 1472 bytes.
[INFO] [X300] Radio 1x clock: 200 MHz
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: X-Series Device
  Mboard 0: X310
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: UBX RX
  RX Channel: 1
    RX DSP: 1
    RX Dboard: B
    RX Subdev: CBX-120 RX
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: UBX TX
  TX Channel: 1
    TX DSP: 1
    TX Dboard: B
    TX Subdev: CBX-120 TX

Setting RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...
Actual RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...

Setting RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...
Setting RX LO Offset: 0.000000 MHz...
Actual RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...

Setting RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...
Actual RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...

Locking LO on channel 0
Waiting for "lo_locked": ++++++++++ locked.

Press Ctrl + C to stop streaming...

Done!


ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$ sudo ./rx_samples_to_file --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --duration 10 --args "type=b200,product=B206mini" usrp_samples.dat

Creating the usrp device with: type=b200,product=B206mini...
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [B200] Detected Device: B206mini
[INFO] [B200] Operating over USB 3.
[INFO] [B200] Initialize CODEC control...
[INFO] [B200] Initialize Radio control...
[INFO] [B200] Performing register loopback test... 
[INFO] [B200] Register loopback test passed
[INFO] [B200] Setting master clock rate selection to 'automatic'.
[INFO] [B200] Asking for clock rate 16.000000 MHz... 
[INFO] [B200] Actually got clock rate 16.000000 MHz.
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: B-Series Device
  Mboard 0: B206mini
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: FE-RX1
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: FE-TX1

Setting RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...
[INFO] [B200] Asking for clock rate 40.000000 MHz... 
[INFO] [B200] Actually got clock rate 40.000000 MHz.
Actual RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...

Setting RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...
Setting RX LO Offset: 0.000000 MHz...
Actual RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...

Setting RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...
Actual RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...

Locking LO on channel 0
Waiting for "lo_locked": ++++++++++ locked.

Press Ctrl + C to stop streaming...

Done!

Example of file size output from rx_samples_to_file:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$ ls -al usrp_samples.dat
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 200000000 Jun 16 23:53 usrp_samples.dat

Transmitting Samples

Transmits samples from file

   ./tx_samples_from_file --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 10 --args "type=x300" usrp_samples.dat

Example of output from tx_samples_from_file:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$ ./tx_samples_from_file --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 10 --args "type=x300" usrp_samples.dat

Creating the usrp device with: type=x300...
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [X300] X300 initialization sequence...
[INFO] [X300] Maximum frame size: 1472 bytes.
[INFO] [X300] Radio 1x clock: 200 MHz
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: X-Series Device
  Mboard 0: X310
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: UBX RX
  RX Channel: 1
    RX DSP: 1
    RX Dboard: B
    RX Subdev: CBX-120 RX
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: UBX TX
  TX Channel: 1
    TX DSP: 1
    TX Dboard: B
    TX Subdev: CBX-120 TX

Setting TX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...
Actual TX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...

Setting TX Freq: 915.000000 MHz...
Setting TX LO Offset: 0.000000 MHz...
Actual TX Freq: 915.000000 MHz...

Setting TX Gain: 10.000000 dB...
Actual TX Gain: 10.000000 dB...

Checking TX: TXLO: locked ...
[WARNING] [0/Radio#0] Attempting to set tick rate to 0. Skipping.

Done!

Terminal DFT/FFT

Creates ASCII/Ncurses FFT

   ./rx_ascii_art_dft --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --bw 5e6 --args "type=x300" --ref-lvl -30

Example output from rx_ascii_art_dft:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$  ./rx_ascii_art_dft --freq 98e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 20 --bw 5e6 --args "type=x300" --ref-lvl -30

Creating the usrp device with: type=x300...
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [X300] X300 initialization sequence...
[INFO] [X300] Maximum frame size: 1472 bytes.
[INFO] [X300] Radio 1x clock: 200 MHz
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: X-Series Device
  Mboard 0: X310
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: UBX RX
  RX Channel: 1
    RX DSP: 1
    RX Dboard: B
    RX Subdev: CBX-120 RX
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: UBX TX
  TX Channel: 1
    TX DSP: 1
    TX Dboard: B
    TX Subdev: CBX-120 TX

Setting RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...
Actual RX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...

Setting RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...
Actual RX Freq: 98.000000 MHz...

Setting RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...
Actual RX Gain: 20.000000 dB...

Setting RX Bandwidth: 5.000000 MHz...
Actual RX Bandwidth: 160.000000 MHz...

Checking RX: RXLO: locked ...

Example screenshot of rx_ascii_art_dft running:

Transmit test signal

Transmits specific waveform

   ./tx_waveforms --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 0 --args "type=b200,product=B206mini"

Example output from tx_waveforms:

ettus-24-02@ettus-24-02-Dell-Pro-16-PC16255:/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples$./tx_waveforms --freq 915e6 --rate 5e6 --gain 0 --args "type=b200,product=B206mini"

Creating the usrp device with: type=b200,product=B206mini...
[INFO] [UHD] linux; GNU C++ version 13.3.0; Boost_108300; UHD_4.9.0.HEAD-0-g006d7f76
[INFO] [B200] Detected Device: B206mini
[INFO] [B200] Operating over USB 3.
[INFO] [B200] Initialize CODEC control...
[INFO] [B200] Initialize Radio control...
[INFO] [B200] Performing register loopback test... 
[INFO] [B200] Register loopback test passed
[INFO] [B200] Setting master clock rate selection to 'automatic'.
[INFO] [B200] Asking for clock rate 16.000000 MHz... 
[INFO] [B200] Actually got clock rate 16.000000 MHz.
Using Device: Single USRP:
  Device: B-Series Device
  Mboard 0: B206mini
  RX Channel: 0
    RX DSP: 0
    RX Dboard: A
    RX Subdev: FE-RX1
  TX Channel: 0
    TX DSP: 0
    TX Dboard: A
    TX Subdev: FE-TX1

Setting TX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...
[INFO] [B200] Asking for clock rate 40.000000 MHz... 
[INFO] [B200] Actually got clock rate 40.000000 MHz.
Actual TX Rate: 5.000000 Msps...

Setting TX Gain: 0.000000 dB...
Actual TX Gain: 0.000000 dB...

Setting device timestamp to 0...
Setting TX Freq: 915.000000 MHz...
Setting TX LO Offset: 0.000000 MHz...
Actual TX Freq: 915.000000 MHz...

Checking TX: LO: locked ...
Press Ctrl + C to stop streaming...
^C
Done!

USRP as Spectrum Analyzer using uhd_fft

Receives signals and acts as a spectrum analyzer. The uhd_fft utility receives samples from a USRP, performs an FFT, and displays the power spectrum (frequency versus power).

You can find this utility under:

   /usr/local/bin

Example:

Go to the directory:

   /usr/local/bin

Run the following command:

   uhd_fft --args "addr=192.168.10.2" --freq 915e6 -s 20e6 -g 25

Note: We have generated a CW signal at 915 MHz using the uhd_siggen_gui example, which is discussed in the next section. This signal is received and displayed using uhd_fft.

USRP as Signal Generator using uhd_siggen and uhd_siggen_gui

uhd_siggen is a USRP signal generator utility provided by UHD (USRP Hardware Driver). It can generate test signals or continuous wave (CW) transmissions using any UHD-supported USRP device.

It provides a simple software-based RF signal generator without requiring a custom application or GNU Radio flowgraph.

Example:

Go to the directory:

   /usr/local/bin

Run the following command:

   uhd_siggen --args "type=b200" --freq 915e6 -g 40

The uhd_siggen_gui utility provides the same functionality as uhd_siggen but includes a graphical user interface that allows parameters to be adjusted dynamically during operation.

Example:

Go to the directory:

   /usr/local/bin

Run the following command:

   uhd_siggen_gui --args "type=b200" --freq 915e6 -g 40

Additional UHD Utilities

Downloads FPGA images for the currently installed UHD version.

   sudo uhd_images_downloader

Example output from uhd_images_downloader:

$ [sudo] uhd_images_downloader

Images destination:      /usr/local/share/uhd/images
Downloading images from: http://files.ettus.com/binaries/images/uhd-images_003.010.000.000-release.zip
Downloading images to:   /tmp/tmpPYd_5J/uhd-images_003.010.000.000-release.zip
58959 kB / 58959 kB (100%)

Images successfully installed to: /usr/local/share/uhd/images

Flashes an image onto the X300/X310 FPGA.

   usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner

Reads and writes motherboard EEPROM.

   usrp_burn_mb_eeprom

Reads and writes daughterboard EEPROM.

   usrp_burn_db_eeprom

Verifying the Operation of the USRP Using UHD and GNU Radio

Contents

Application Note Information

Authors

Abstract

Overview

Proper Care and Handling

Finding the Device

UHD Programs

Benchmarking your system

Receiving Samples

Transmitting Samples

Terminal DFT/FFT

Transmit test signal

USRP as Spectrum Analyzer using uhd_fft

USRP as Signal Generator using uhd_siggen and uhd_siggen_gui

Additional UHD Utilities

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