Hello!
I'm using BladeRF to monitor mobile network signals, and while it generally functions, the sensitivity is quite low. I've added a MAX2615 LNA, which has improved performance, but it still doesn't match the sensitivity of a typical mobile phone. What steps can I take to further enhance the sensitivity?
Improving BladeRF Sensitivity for Mobile Signal Monitoring
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SusannahCorona
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Oct 22, 2024 8:29 pm
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akhuna
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2025 7:20 pm
Re: Improving BladeRF Sensitivity for Mobile Signal Monitoring
try these, in order:
Improve the front end: place a low-noise, frequency-specific LNA right at the antenna (better NF than MAX2615 if possible) and use a band-pass filter to remove out-of-band blockers.
Minimize loss: use a high-quality antenna, short low-loss coax/adapters, and proper 50Ω matching.
Check gain staging: adjust bladeRF RX gain settings and LNA bias so you’re not overloaded by nearby strong signals (add a small attenuator if needed).
Reduce interference: add shielding, ferrites, and a notch filter for known strong local signals.
Calibration & sampling: ensure correct tuning, sample rate, and decimation settings; update firmware/FPGA drivers.
Do these and you should see sensitivity closer to a phone.
bitlife
Improve the front end: place a low-noise, frequency-specific LNA right at the antenna (better NF than MAX2615 if possible) and use a band-pass filter to remove out-of-band blockers.
Minimize loss: use a high-quality antenna, short low-loss coax/adapters, and proper 50Ω matching.
Check gain staging: adjust bladeRF RX gain settings and LNA bias so you’re not overloaded by nearby strong signals (add a small attenuator if needed).
Reduce interference: add shielding, ferrites, and a notch filter for known strong local signals.
Calibration & sampling: ensure correct tuning, sample rate, and decimation settings; update firmware/FPGA drivers.
Do these and you should see sensitivity closer to a phone.
bitlife
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troupescientist
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2026 7:37 pm
Re: Improving BladeRF Sensitivity for Mobile Signal Monitoring
Wow, this conversation about bladeRF is fascinating! I'm intrigued about how SDRs can be used in various applications. It would be fascinating to combine the gaming world and SDR technology! I recently explored with several audio processing tools, and it was surprising how adaptable these platforms can be. Any suggestions for getting started with real-time signal processing with bladeRF?