Upon extensive testing the LIme SDR does not have reception. It was tested both in Linux and Windows, using 2 different sets of Drivers - there is no signal on the antenna.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Sure, can you post the output of running LimeQuickTest.
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[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Tue Mar 12 15:44:31 2019
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, serial=000907060246131C, index=0
Serial Number: 000907060246131C
[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
Test results: 41572; 45328; 49084 - PASSED
->Si5351C test
CLK0: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK1: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK2: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK3: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK4: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK5: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
CLK6: 17554 / 17554 - PASSED
->ADF4002 Test
Result: 10 - PASSED
->VCTCXO test
Results : 5112917 (min); 5113044 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED
[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 11 09 0D 11 09 0D 02
->FPGA EEPROM Test PASSED
[ LMS7002M Test ]
->Perform Registers Test
->External Reset line test
Reg 0x20: Write value 0xFFFD, Read value 0xFFFD
Reg 0x20: value after reset 0x0FFFF
->LMS7002M Test PASSED
[ RF Loopback Test ]
Note: The test should be run without anything connected to RF ports
->Configure LMS
->Run Tests (TX_2-> LNA_L):
CH0 (SXR=800.0MHz, SXT=805.0MHz): Result:(-13.6 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
CH1 (SXR=800.0MHz, SXT=805.0MHz): Result:(-15.3 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_W):
CH0 (SXR=1800.0MHz, SXT=1805.0MHz): Result:(-14.4 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
CH1 (SXR=1800.0MHz, SXT=1805.0MHz): Result:(-17.0 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_2-> LNA_H):
CH0 (SXR=2500.0MHz, SXT=2505.0MHz): Result:(-16.3 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
CH1 (SXR=2500.0MHz, SXT=2505.0MHz): Result:(-15.6 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test PASSED
=> Board tests PASSED <=
Elapsed time: 3.92 seconds
I see no issue with your board.
Sorry I was not able to append additional information before.
While attempting to scan the broadcast FM band, I am not getting any discernible signal in GQRX or SDR-Console. I have appended a screen shot of my GQRX settings and waterfall. Swapping to RTLSDR gives me a clear FM station, but I can’t pick it up with the LimeSDR.
LimeSDR (GQRX)Broadcast FM waterfall:
LimeSDR (SDR–Console) Broadcast FM waterfall:
RTL-SDR (SDR–Console) Broadcast FM waterfall:
Following… interested in how this issue is addressed.
To add more information:
LimeSDR-USB FW:4 HW:4 Protocol:1 GW:2.20
Currently on [LimeSuiteGUI_19.01.0]
USB Driver reporting version [1.2.3.14]
Double Tested on fresh builds of Windows Server 2016/Win10, and Ubuntu 18.04. Updated to latest LimeSuite on both and flashed latest firmware updates. Latest (cypress?) USB drivers from github. Also tested WinUSB driver in a previous build with zadig. I have tested in GQRX, SDR-Console(3.02 build1234 64bit), HDSDR with ExtIO plugin, and CubicSDR. I have selected antenna LNAL by default but tested LNAW and even LNAH.
I also confirmed the antenna connections and re-seated them because I can almost see a ghost of a signal but its like there’s no antenna connected. I tried many gain variations but I cant see a definite signal even with gains turned high. I am on on a USB3 port but i tried reducing bandwidths from 60Mhz to 40 to 20(USB2), then 10Mhz and 2.5.
Attaching image of zoomed in FM transmission channel that has no signal with LimeSDR but a strong signal on RTLSDR.
Hi cal70,
I am also new to LimeSDR USB and had the very same problem as you. Please read here what worked for me about zadig drivers.
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Thank you @Boult, I have the device up and viewable from the terminal (btw I am using a Mac). I have gnu radio installed (finally0 and now playing with the FM block set up (attached) BUT I still have no audio, funny I have a cheap SDR and it works without any troubles.
I guess what they say, The more complex the more issues is TRUE. There is a learning curve, I am trying to get it set up. Want to see 2.4 GHz to play with some of that freq. range. Not there yet. Can’t even get basic FM 
LOL.
Thank you for the good write up too… nice resource.
