Comparative Features

• Hardware Capabilities:
  • 1 transceiver card slot
  • External PPS reference input
  • External 10 MHz reference input
  • MIMO cable shared reference
  • Fixed 100 MHz clock rate
  • Internal GPSDO option (N2x0 only)
• FPGA Capabilities:
  • 2 RX DDC chains in FPGA
  • 1 TX DUC chain in FPGA
  • Timed commands in FPGA (N2x0 only)
  • Timed sampling in FPGA
  • 16-bit and 8-bit sample modes (sc8 and sc16):
    • Up to 25 MHz of RF BW with 16-bit samples
    • Up to 50 MHz of RF BW with 8-bit samples

Loading Images onto the Devices

Warning! Exercise caution when using usrp2_card_burner. Misconfiguring the device node could lead to overwriting critical drives. Always ensure that --dev= specifies the SD card.

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Note: Although 3rd party SD cards are usable with the USRP2, it is recommended to use the provided SD card due to compatibility concerns with certain SD card types.

Using Card Burner Tool on UNIX

sudo <install-path>/lib/uhd/utils/usrp2_card_burner_gui.py
# OR
cd <install-path>/lib/uhd/utils
sudo ./usrp2_card_burner.py --dev=/dev/sd<XXX> --fpga=<path_to_fpga_image>
sudo ./usrp2_card_burner.py --dev=/dev/sd<XXX> --fw=<path_to_firmware_image>

Using Card Burner Tool on Windows

<path_to_python.exe> <install-path>/lib/uhd/utils/usrp2_card_burner_gui.py

Updating USRP-N Series

The USRP-N Series allows for firmware and FPGA image updates over the network. When changing images, ensure both FPGA and firmware images are updated sequentially before a power cycle to maintain compatibility.

Using the Image Loader

To load default images:

uhd_image_loader --args="type=usrp2,addr=<IP address>"

For custom-built images:

uhd_image_loader --args="type=usrp2,addr=<IP address>" --fw-path="<firmware path>" --fpga-path="<FPGA path>"

Networking Setup for USRP2

Clarification on network setup: USRP2 exclusively supports Gigabit Ethernet connections. It's essential to establish the host's Ethernet interface with a static IP address for effective communication.

Challenges and Solutions

When dealing with communication issues, such as a runtime error indicating no control response, ensure your host PC's IP address aligns within the same subnet as the USRP device. Firewall settings can also impact device discovery by blocking necessary UDP broadcast packets.

Exploring Advanced Capabilities

The MIMO cable permits time synchronization and reference clock sharing between two USRP devices, enhancing operations in both single and multi-device configurations.

Additional Features

The USRP2 and N2x0 series have various sensors that help monitor performance and connectivity. These features can be accessed programmatically through the API.

Final Thoughts

For a comprehensive understanding of both the USRP2 and the N2x0 series, including additional resources and support, we invite you to Highmesh for expert consultations. Are you intrigued by the benefits of the USRP N Series? Don't hesitate to reach out!