USRP X Series Quick Start (Daughterboard Installation)

Application Note Number

AN-904

Revision History

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

Abstract

This application note is a detailed step-by-step guide to install a daughterboard into the USRP X300/X310.

Overview

This Quick Start is meant to show you how to put together your new X300/310. We will start at the point when you have yet to unpack the boxes and go all the way to being able to ping the device, performing a quick software probe to verify hardware components and finally running a simple FFT demo. This Quick Start does not cover the installation of software on the host computer. If you have not installed UHD/Gnuradio on your system, please reference the Building and Installing the USRP Open-Source Toolchain (UHD and GNU Radio) on Linux, OS X and Windows Application Notes. You may also use the Live SDR Environment to perform the verification steps for your USRP. Detailed information on the Live SDR Environment is available at the Live SDR Environment Getting Started Guides page.

Tools Required

• Philips Screwdriver
• 5/16” wrench

Pre-installed Software

• UHD Latest
• GNU Radio

Box Contents

USRP Box

• 1 x USRP X300/X310
• 1 x SFP Adapter for 1 GigE
• 1 x Power Supply and US Cord
• 1 x USB 2.0 JTAG Debug Cable
• 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Cable
• 4 x SMA-Bulkhead Cables
• 16 x Daughterboard Screws

Daughterboard Boxes

• 2 x SBX Daughterboards

Antenna Boxes

• One or more Antennas

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. Ettus Research recommends you perform the installation with no power to the USRP and using ESD equipment. 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

Installation Process

Step 1

Unscrew the 2 screws on the top of the USRP and remove cover. (Lift up about 15 degrees and wiggle back as there is a flange on the front part of the cover)

Step 2

Line up the 8 screw holes on the Daughterboard with the USRP Motherboard standoffs (they only go one way).

Step 3

After you have aligned the Daughterboard correctly you can press the Daughterboard on to the connectors below them (you will feel them snap into place).

Step 4

Put 8 of the screws provided in the daughterboard

Step 5

Repeat steps 2- 4 for the second Daughterboard

Step 6

It is recommended to connect the bulkhead cables one at a time to avoid confusion. The Daughterboards and front panel of the X300/310 are clearly labeled as to which cable goes where.

Step 7

Repeat step 6 for the other bulkhead cables

Step 8

Install USRP cover with screws

Step 9

Connect the SFP 1 GigE adapter into USRP SFP port 0

Step 10

Connect the Gigabit Ethernet cable and power cord provided

Step 11

Attach any Antennas you may have purchased

Step 12

On the computer(host) you plan to use to connect to the USRP set the Ethernet adapter to have an IP address of 192.168.10.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Connect the other end of the Gigabit Ethernet cable to your computer.

Step 13

Power on the USRP (button on the front right of the USRP)

Step 14

Ping the device from host computer:

   $ ping 192.168.10.2

Step 15

Assuming you have properly installed the UHD driver you can now run this command in a terminal/command window: $ uhd_usrp_probe. This will tell you about the hardware inside of your USRP. The output will look like the following:

   $ uhd_usrp_probe 
   linux; GNU C++ version 4.8.4; Boost_105400; UHD_003.010.git-202-g9e0861e1
   
   -- X300 initialization sequence...
   -- Determining maximum frame size... 1472 bytes.
   -- Setup basic communication...
   -- Loading values from EEPROM...
   -- Setup RF frontend clocking...
   -- Radio 1x clock:200
   -- Detecting internal GPSDO.... No GPSDO found
   -- Initialize Radio0 control...
   -- Performing register loopback test... pass
   -- Initialize Radio1 control...
   -- Performing register loopback test... pass
     _____________________________________________________
    /
   |       Device: X-Series Device
   |     _____________________________________________________
   |    /
   |   |       Mboard: X300
   |   |   revision: 7
   |   |   revision_compat: 7
   |   |   product: 30518
   |   |   mac-addr0: ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
   |   |   mac-addr1: ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
   |   |   gateway: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   ip-addr0: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   subnet0: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   ip-addr1: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   subnet1: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   ip-addr2: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   subnet2: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   ip-addr3: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   subnet3: 255.255.255.255
   |   |   serial: FFFFFFF
   |   |   FW Version: 4.0
   |   |   FPGA Version: 20.0
   |   |   
   |   |   Time sources: internal, external, gpsdo
   |   |   Clock sources: internal, external, gpsdo
   |   |   Sensors: ref_locked
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       RX DSP: 0
   |   |   |   Freq range: -100.000 to 100.000 MHz
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       RX DSP: 1
   |   |   |   Freq range: -100.000 to 100.000 MHz
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       RX Dboard: A
   |   |   |   ID: SBX (0x0054)
   |   |   |   Serial: FFFFFF
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       RX Frontend: 0
   |   |   |   |   Name: SBXv3 RX
   |   |   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, RX2, CAL
   |   |   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
   |   |   |   |   Freq range: 400.000 to 4400.000 MHz
   |   |   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
   |   |   |   |   Bandwidth range: 40000000.0 to 40000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
   |   |   |   |   Connection Type: IQ
   |   |   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       RX Codec: A
   |   |   |   |   Name: ads62p48
   |   |   |   |   Gain range digital: 0.0 to 6.0 step 0.5 dB
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       RX Dboard: B
   |   |   |   ID: SBX (0x0054)
   |   |   |   Serial: FFFFFF
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       RX Frontend: 0
   |   |   |   |   Name: SBXv3 RX
   |   |   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, RX2, CAL
   |   |   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
   |   |   |   |   Freq range: 400.000 to 4400.000 MHz
   |   |   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
   |   |   |   |   Bandwidth range: 40000000.0 to 40000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
   |   |   |   |   Connection Type: IQ
   |   |   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       RX Codec: B
   |   |   |   |   Name: ads62p48
   |   |   |   |   Gain range digital: 0.0 to 6.0 step 0.5 dB
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       TX DSP: 0
   |   |   |   Freq range: -100.000 to 100.000 MHz
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       TX DSP: 1
   |   |   |   Freq range: -100.000 to 100.000 MHz
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       TX Dboard: A
   |   |   |   ID: SBX (0x0055)
   |   |   |   Serial: FFFFFF
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       TX Frontend: 0
   |   |   |   |   Name: SBXv3 TX
   |   |   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, CAL
   |   |   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
   |   |   |   |   Freq range: 400.000 to 4400.000 MHz
   |   |   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
   |   |   |   |   Bandwidth range: 40000000.0 to 40000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
   |   |   |   |   Connection Type: QI
   |   |   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       TX Codec: A
   |   |   |   |   Name: ad9146
   |   |   |   |   Gain Elements: None
   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |    /
   |   |   |       TX Dboard: B
   |   |   |   ID: SBX (0x0055)
   |   |   |   Serial: FFFFFF
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       TX Frontend: 0
   |   |   |   |   Name: SBXv3 TX
   |   |   |   |   Antennas: TX/RX, CAL
   |   |   |   |   Sensors: lo_locked
   |   |   |   |   Freq range: 400.000 to 4400.000 MHz
   |   |   |   |   Gain range PGA0: 0.0 to 31.5 step 0.5 dB
   |   |   |   |   Bandwidth range: 40000000.0 to 40000000.0 step 0.0 Hz
   |   |   |   |   Connection Type: QI
   |   |   |   |   Uses LO offset: No
   |   |   |     _____________________________________________________
   |   |   |    /
   |   |   |   |       TX Codec: B
   |   |   |   |   Name: ad9146
   |   |   |   |   Gain Elements: None

UHD FFT

Try the UHD_FFT demo that comes with GNU Radio

1. Connect one antenna to RX2 on the left Daughterboard (Daughterboard A)

2.From the terminal/command window:

   $ uhd_fft

Success

Congratulations! You have successfully setup and verified your new USRP X300/X310. A more detailed verification guide is at the Verifying the Operation of the USRP Using UHD and GNU Radio application note. For additional step-by-step guides to using your USRP X300/X310, see the Application Notes section of the Ettus Research Knowledge Base.