GPS receiver/simulator using bladeRF

Having issues with the site, hardware, source code, or any other issues?
Post Reply
christopharris
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:58 am

GPS receiver/simulator using bladeRF

Post by christopharris »

Hi everyone,

I’m developing a GPS receiver/simulator using bladeRF. As far as I can see, the current firmware and fpga are improved with respect to packet losses.

At this moment, real-time GPS positioning using bladeRF worked well :P
Here is the demonstration video on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2vatqek_o

However, there are still few packet losses if we set sampling rate as 40 Msps. The bladeRF is of course connected via USB 3.0 port. In addition, there is also a large DC bias.

Further, Tx at 1.5GHz doesn't work well. For example, I put following commands using bladeRF-cli.exe, but bladeRF-cli.exe has crashed after “tx start”.

Set frequency 1.57542G
Set samplerate 8M
rx config file=test.bin n=8M
rx start
tx config file=test.bin
tx start

Please let me know if anyone has any solutions.

Thank you.
helendam
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon May 20, 2024 7:58 pm
Contact:

Re: GPS receiver/simulator using bladeRF

Post by helendam »

Pokemon Infinite Fusion The information you provided is very helpful! It sounds like you've made significant progress with your GPS receiver/simulator using BladeRF. Here are some insights on the issues you mentioned and potential solutions:

Packet Loss at 40 Msps:

Reduce Sampling Rate: While a higher sampling rate captures more detail, it also increases processing demands. Try reducing the sampling rate to a value closer to 8 Msps (like in your Tx example) and see if packet loss improves. You can find a balance between capturing necessary data and reducing packet loss.
Optimize Buffers: Review your code and optimize buffer sizes and data transfer between BladeRF and your processing unit. Ensure buffers aren't overflowing at high sampling rates.
Check USB 3.0 Connection: Double-check your USB 3.0 connection for any physical damage or loose connections. A stable and fast USB 3.0 connection is crucial for handling high data rates.
Large DC Bias:

Calibration: Perform proper BladeRF calibration using the bladeRF-cli calibration command. This can help reduce DC bias.
Hardware Considerations: In some cases, the DC bias could be hardware-related. If calibration doesn't resolve the issue, consult Nuand's documentation or support for troubleshooting steps specific to BladeRF hardware.
Tx Issues at 1.5 GHz:

Power Supply: Ensure your power supply can provide enough current for both Rx and Tx operations at 1.5 GHz. BladeRF might not have sufficient power for Tx at higher frequencies with a weak power supply.
Check BladeRF version: Consult Nuand's documentation to confirm if your specific BladeRF model supports Tx at 1.5 GHz effectively. Some models might have limitations in Tx capabilities at higher frequencies.
Software Conflicts: Check for any software conflicts that might interfere with BladeRF-cli.exe. Try running the commands from a different terminal or environment. Consider updating BladeRF firmware or software libraries to the latest versions.
Post Reply