Access the additional resources for more information on GNU Radio software frameworks and current project, application-specific hardware components and mailing list opportunities.
Development Frameworks
GNU Radio
GNU Radio is a free open-source community providing a wealth of communications algorithms, signal processing algorithms, modulation/demodulation formats, coding schemes and more to enable all USRP users to quickly build powerful and flexible software radio systems. Although most users need not program the FPGA as the FPGA code facilitates host-based software design and development, the USRP series firmware, drivers and FPGA code are available under GPL and may be modified by customers to enhance the capabilities or performance of the USRP. Using Python wrappers to access C++ functions, GNU Radio combines the ease of use of a flow based programming dialect with the efficiency of compiled code.
www.gnuradio.org
LabVIEW™
To program the USRP transceivers with LabVIEW, users should use the NI-USRP API. The NI-USRP driver software installation provides support for the Ettus Research USRP2 or USRP N210 devices using WBX and XCVR2450 daughterboards. The NI-USRP driver package includes:
- Support for LabVIEW 2011 (32-bit)/2010 (32-bit)/2009 (32-bit)
- Support for Windows 7/Vista/XP
- Interactive configuration utility to change device IP addresses and update firmware and FPGA images
- Complete hardware and API documentation.
- Full set of examples, including examples that use the NI LabVIEW Modulation Toolkit
- Integration with NI LabVIEW Modulation Toolkit
Access the NI-USRP API here: http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/2679/lang/en
Simulink®
MathWorks® offers support for the USRP N210 and USRP2, using the Communications System Toolbox™ 5.0, which supports the USRP™ Hardware Driver to provide a real-time connection to the USRP family of radios directly from MATLAB® and Simulink®. RF signals can be received from a USRP radio, and the data processed in real-time using MATLAB functions or Simulink blocks. Similarly, RF signals can be transmitted from MATLAB or Simulink by streaming data to USRP radios. Parameters such as center frequency, gain and interpolation or decimation rates can be configured directly from MATLAB or Simulink.
- Support for Windows, Linux, and Mac platforms can be downloaded from: http://www.mathworks.com/discovery/sdr/usrp.html
- Simulink drivers for the USRP1 can be found at http://www.cel.kit.edu/downloads.php
Other Software Environments
- OpenBTS is an open source (GPL) implementation of a GSM Basestation built around the USRP system. You can find OpenBTS at http://openbts.sourceforge.net.
- USRP™ Hardware Driver device support for OpenBTS can be found at https://github.com/ttsou/openbts-uhd.
- OSSIE is an open source (GPL) implementation of the JTRS Software Communications Architecture (SCA) which works with the USRP1 and USRP2. You can find OSSIE at http://ossie.wireless.vt.edu/
Miscellaneous
Learn more on how to deploy cell phone base stations with USRP™ products with OpenBTS, a Unix application, that uses a software radio to present a GSM air interface to standard 2G GSM handset and uses a SIP softswitch or PBX to connect calls.
http://openbts.sourceforge.net
Mailing Lists
Ettus Research product announcements and news are made about once a quarter. You can receive these announcements by signing up here:
http://lists.ettus.com/mailman/listinfo/usrp-announce_lists.ettus.com
Sign up here for the GNU Radio mailing list to receive information on updates, current topics, code sharing and more.
https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss-gnuradio
Join other USRP users for updates on timely USRP topics and support.
http://lists.ettus.com/mailman/listinfo/usrp-users_lists.ettus.com
Learn How to Deploy RF and DSP Concepts
RF Café provides information on numerous areas of wired and wireless communications. If you are interested in learning about antenna design, link budgets, component selection or any other RF subjects, this is a good place to start.
http://www.rfcafe.comThis site offers an immense collection of practical information about digital signal processing and associated applications.
http://www.dspguru.com