SOURCEFORGE » RALF

h1. USRP X310 installation notes

This documentation explains how to install an USRP device operated through Gigabit Ethernet interface (e.g. X300 and X310). In the following, we assume that a Debian based operating system has been successfully installed along with UHD and GNURadio (see for example [[Debian Wheezy 7 installation guidelines]] and [[UHD and GNURadio installation]]).

h2. Network interface configuration

Let us assume that a Gigabit Ethernet interface (denoted @eth1@) will be dedicated for the link between the computer and the USRP device. They will be both addressed statically on a @/24@ subnet:

* computer host: 192.168.10.1 ;

* USRP device: 192.168.10.2.

In order to obtain set this configuration, is it recommended to override the Network Manager program. The configuration is directly performed in @/etc/network/interfaces@ using the following instructions.

<pre>

auto eth1

iface eth1 inet static

        address 192.168.10.1

        netmask 255.255.255.0

</pre>

In order to improve transfers efficiency, it is also recommended to increase the maximum socket buffer size in @/etc/sysctl.conf@.

<pre>

net.core.rmem_max=33554432

net.core.wmem_max=33554432

</pre>

At this step the following services should be rebooted in order to configure both the network interface and the maximum socket buffer size.

<pre>

/etc/init.d/networking stop

/etc/init.d/networking start

sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.conf

</pre>

h2. Hardware detection and firmware update

Power/connect the USRP device and try to detect it.

<pre>

uhd_find_devices

</pre>

Then, inspect the hardware configuration of the transceiver.

<pre>

uhd_usrp_probe

</pre>

Optionnally, update the firmware of the USRP device.

<pre>

/usr/local/lib/uhd/utils/usrp_x3xx_fpga_burner --addr=192.168.10.2

</pre>

h2. Performances assessment

You can perform a rate benchmarking.

<pre>

/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples/benchmark_rate --duration 20 --rx_rate <wanted-rate>     # Reception test

/usr/local/lib/uhd/examples/benchmark_rate --duration 20 --rtx_rate <wanted-rate>    # Transmission test

</pre>

where @<wanted-rate>@ should be less than 50 MS/s for Gigabit Ethernet.

If @OOOOOO...@ or @UUUUUUU...@ appears on the standard output, it means that incoming samples (from the computer to the USRP) are dropped or outgoing samples (from the USRP to the computer) are not provided at expected rate. This defect can result from various causes: lack of CPU-time of the computer, overloaded interface... See "this page": for detailed explanation.