Trying to transmit with GNUradio & LimeUSB

Projects LimeSDR
1

I’ve tried the two tones example, and it doesn’t work. By that I mean it seems the Python script it generates runs, then just returns without an error message or anything which makes sense to me.

Output:

LimeSuite Sink (TX) info
##################
Connecting to device
##################
Devices found: 1
##################
Device list:
Nr.:|0|device:|LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=STREAM, addr=1d50:6108, 
serial=0009060B00123456
##################
Device number 0 from the list is used.
Estimated reference clock 30.7197 MHz
Reference clock 30.720 MHz
CGEN: Freq=80 MHz, VCO=2.56 GHz, INT=82, FRAC=349525, DIV_OUTCH_CGEN=15
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
16: 55 AD 2A
16: AB 5A 55
phase: min 31.2; max 197.3; selected 114.2)
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
16: C6 DC 37
16: AA 58 75
16: AA 5A D5
phase: min 15.6; max 171.3; selected 93.5)
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
##################
INFO: device_handler::enable_channels(): SISO CH0 set for device number 0.
INFO: device_handler::set_samp_rate(): CGEN: Freq=32 MHz, VCO=2.432 GHz, INT=78, 
FRAC=174762, 
DIV_OUTCH_CGEN=37
set sampling rate: 0.25 MS/s.
INFO: device_handler::set_rf_freq(): RF frequency set [TX]: 60 MHz.
INFO: device_handler::set_analog_filter(): 
>>> Done

I also tried the quick test, and don’t see anything for the RX test example. I also don’t have an o-scope, but have an Ettus USRP B200 tuned to the same frequency I’m trying to use for transmitting (920 MHz) with gnuradio.

Why are the controls and text labels on the LimeSuite so cryptic? I barely know what any of that gibberish means.

I have:

  • LimeSuite 17.12.0
  • Lime SDR USB
    • Firmware: 4
    • Hardware: 4
    • Protocol: 1
    • Gateway: 2
    • Gateway rev: 12
  • Ubuntu Linux 18.04
2

I also tried limesdr_toolbox and had this message:

Estimated reference clock 30.7197 MHz
Reference clock 30.720 MHz
CGEN: Freq=80 MHz, VCO=2.56 GHz, INT=82, FRAC=349525, DIV_OUTCH_CGEN=15
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
16: 55 AD 2A
16: AB 5A 5D
phase: min 31.2; max 197.3; selected 114.2)
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
16: 86 DC 37
16: AA 58 75
16: AA 5A D5
phase: min 15.6; max 171.3; selected 93.5)
M=156, N=3, Fvco=1040.000 MHz
CGEN: Freq=256 MHz, VCO=2.56 GHz, INT=82, FRAC=349525, DIV_OUTCH_CGEN=4
ERROR: unable to found antenna : BAND1

Why can’t it find the antenna? Do I need to make changes in LimeSuite?

3

I upgraded to LimeSuite 19.04 and Soapy 0.7 from the myriadrf Ubuntu repo. I tried to use LimeQuickTest, and had this result:

[ TESTING STARTED ]
->Start time: Fri May 31 17:26:04 2019
->Device: LimeSDR-USB, media=USB 3.0, module=FX3, addr=1d50:6108, serial=0009060B00470C28
  Serial Number: 0009060B00123456

[ Clock Network Test ]
->FX3 GPIF clock test
  Test results: 23721; 27477; 31233 - 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 : 5112935 (min); 5113067 (max) - PASSED
->Clock Network Test PASSED

[ FPGA EEPROM Test ]
->Read EEPROM
->Read data: 11 05 11 11 05 11 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:(-14.1 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
  CH1 (SXR=800.0MHz, SXT=805.0MHz): Result:(-17.1 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->Run Tests (TX_1 -> LNA_W):
  CH0 (SXR=1800.0MHz, SXT=1805.0MHz): Result:(-18.4 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
  CH1 (SXR=1800.0MHz, SXT=1805.0MHz): Result:(-22.6 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - FAILED
->Run Tests (TX_2-> LNA_H):
  CH0 (SXR=2500.0MHz, SXT=2505.0MHz): Result:(-19.2 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
  CH1 (SXR=2500.0MHz, SXT=2505.0MHz): Result:(-14.2 dBFS, 5.00 MHz) - PASSED
->RF Loopback Test FAILED

=> Board tests FAILED <=

Elapsed time: 1.39 seconds

Please advise.

4

“Cryptic” messages are there because you are using debug build of LimeSuite. I assume you are using the newest version of gr-limesdr. Have you tried running two tones after upgrading LimeSuite?

5

I’m sure I wasn’t using a debug build of LimeSuite, since I don’t think there would be debug builds in the repository. I have not tried again to see if “two tones” works, but I did rebuild gr-limesdr once I upgraded LimeSuite. I still get the errors in the LimeQuickTest though.