BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

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darkmess
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:20 am

BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

Post by darkmess »

I am having issues running the BladeRF2.0 in 2 channel mode (with GNUradio 3.9). I have built a basic flowgraph to replicate the issue. Currently running on a Raspberry Pi4, but had the same issue on a Corei7 Dell XPS.

Basic Flowgraph
Image

When running a single channel, I get a nice clean and stable signal. When I run 2 channels I get weird corruption of the data as shown below. In the image below, you can see the noise pedestal of the input filter disappearing periodically. Any injected signal is also corrupted during this time.
Image

I have tried using the gr-bladeRF block, but can not get this to build with GRC3.9. Not sure if this would fix the issue, but I could downgrade Gnuradio if anyone thinks its likely to help.

If anyone has and tips/tricks, or can replicate the issue I would be appreciative?
darkmess
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:20 am

Re: BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

Post by darkmess »

Update - I have also tested this using the BladeRF-cli

This is working correctly for extended periods and does not suffer from any of the glitches experienced in GNUradio using Osmocom.
darkmess
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:20 am

Re: BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

Post by darkmess »

TLDR:-
Omsocom source - Does not work for 2x RX
gr-bladeRF - Does not work for 2xRx
bladeRF-cli stream to disk works correctly
SoapySDR - Works correctly(using custom block for 2 channel), but doesn't support biastee (or AGC as far as I can tell)

While I am still awaiting this thread being moderated, but I thought it best to post an update with the current status.

1. Got gr-bladeRF Gnuradio blocks compiled and installed with fresh build of GR3.9. Behavior is same as Osmocom (i.e. corrupt sample streams(probably dropped samples).
2. Updated libbladeRF to latest version.(no change)
3. Built Pothos SoapySDR and gr-SoapySDR
4. Soapy_BladeRF_Source only supports a single channel so had to use Soapy_Custom_Source to access 2 channels.

As far as I can tell the Soapy GNUradio blocks are working correctly and the corruption to the sample stream is now fixed. I get the occasional buffer underrun, but this is rare.

I am now unable to turn on the receive biastee with Soapy using the same arguments I used under osmocom and have been unable to find an alternative.
robert.ghilduta
Posts: 156
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:14 pm

Re: BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

Post by robert.ghilduta »

Are you able to use the bladeRF config files to enable the biastees? Please see https://nuand.com/bladeRF-doc/libbladeR ... gfile.html
darkmess
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2018 7:20 am

Re: BladeRF2.0 2Ch Rx corrupt data Rpi4

Post by darkmess »

Hi Robert, the config file trick worked. Many thanks.
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