FPGA version (v0.5.0) is newer than entries in libbladeRF’s compatibility table. Please update libbladeRF if problems arise. …but what was missing was loading the fpga (used v0.5.0):īladeRF-cli -load-fpga hostedx40-latest.rbf Loading fpga… Firmware version (v1.9.0) is newer than entries in libbladeRF’s compatibility table. Updated to the latest fx3 firmware image (v1.9.0 at this time): “D1” lights up on the board, but LED1–3 stay dark.

UHD Error: bladerf_get_timestamp() returned -1 - An unexpected failure occurred FATAL: getHardwareTime() -1 - An unexpected failure occurred Fired up gqrx I had been using with HackRF, and: Inserted the bladeRF x40 into the bladeRF case, screwed in the four Phillips screws, attached the 2.4 GHz antennas, plugged in the USB cable into the bladeRF and my computer. The power supply could prove useful for standalone operation, but is not necessary since the bladeRF can be powered over the USB port.

The bladeRF supports several other accessories, but I didn’t buy any of them: Amplifier, GPIO expansion board (requires a different case, if you want a case), power supply, and a LF/MF/HF/VHF transverter. (Interestingly, Ettus has developed USRPs interfacing to the host computer using Gigabit Ethernet (USRP N210/N200), to overcome the speed limitations of USB 2, although they now have USRP B210/B200 using 3.0) Many new computers are already including USB 3 as standard, so its nice to know the bladeRF can use it over USB 2. I only have USB 2 on my host computer, but am looking forward to taking advantage of the higher speed of USB 3 (5 Gbit/s SuperSpeed > 480 Mbit/s for USB 2.0 High-Speed) for greater sampling rates and/or bandwidth in the possibly distant future as I upgrade my computer systems. I’ll use the ANT500 and 2.4 GHz antennas in this review.īladeRF ships with a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed cable with gold-plated connectors, USB-A to USB-B.

Nuand sells a pair of 2.4 GHz antennas, one each for the transmit and receive ports.īoth use the popular SMA connector port. HackRF recommends the ANT500, which can be adjusted in length to optimize for 75 MHz - 1 GHz, and only one antenna is needed since, being half-duplexed, the HackRF transmits and receives on the same antenna port. Neither include an antenna, although the bladeRF ships with two SMA cables for some reason I haven’t had a use for them yet, instead preferring to connect the antennas directly to the bladeRF. BladeRF in bladeRF case (left), compared to HackRF in built-in case (right)

Hackrf one amplifier