Running UHD and GNU Radio on NI USRP-RIO

Application Note Number

AN-638

Revision History

Date	Author	Details
2016-05-01	Neel Pandeya Nate Temple	Initial creation

Abstract

This AN explains the process to updating your USRP-Rio to run UHD and GNU Radio.

Overview

This application note will cover the details of converting your NI-USRP RIO into an equivalent X300/X310 USRP. Once it is converted into a X300/X310, you will be able to use the UHD API, GNU Radio and RFNoC as you would a Ettus Research USRP.

Warning

Opening the chassis and changing the daughterboards will void your NI warranty. NI will not be able to provide support for UHD, GNU Radio, or RFNoC. Support questions should be directed to the usrp-users and discuss-gnuradio mailing lists or to support@ettus.com.

Prerequisites

This guide assumes that your USRP-Rio already has a valid IP address, and that you can ping the device.

Installing UHD

You will need to install UHD 3.9.4 on to your host system. For more information on installing UHD, please see the Building and Installing the USRP Open-Source Toolchain (UHD and GNU Radio) on Linux, OS X and Windows Application Notes.

Downloading FPGA Images

After UHD is installed, run the following command to download the corresponding FPGA images.

   sudo uhd_images_downloader

Flashing FPGA Image

Once the FPGA images are downloaded, you are ready to flash the FPGA image with the following command. Note, you will need to update to the IP address of the USRP-Rio and the path to the FPGA image in the following command. Ensure power to the USRP-Rio and host computer is not interrupted during the flashing process. You will need to update the IP Address and FPGA Path in the following command.

   usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner --addr IP --fpga-path /path/to/fpga/image

Once the FPGA burner utility is completed, power cycle the USRP-Rio.

Testing

After you power cycle the USRP-Rio, test it with the following command.

   uhd_usrp_probe

Installing GNU Radio

For details instructions on installing GNU Radio, please reference the GNU Radio section of the Building and Installing the USRP Open-Source Toolchain (UHD and GNU Radio) on Linux and OS X Application Notes.

Testing GNU Radio

Once GNU Radio is installed, you can test the operation of the USRP-Rio with the following utility.

   uhd_fft

For a more detailed and through testing procedure, please see the Verifying the Operation of the USRP Using UHD and GNU Radio Application Note.

RFNoC

For detailed instructions on setting up RFNoC, please see the RFNoC Getting Started Guides page.