Hi folks,
I’ve just added RTL2832 support to gr-baz with support for both tuners
(Elonics E4000 and Fitipower FC0013).
If you’re not aware, this is sold as a DVB-T USB receiver for ~$20,
which is
a pretty decent price for a device that can do general purpose SDR at
3.2
MHz and 8-bits! The journey starts with Antti Palosaari
<http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.drivers.video-input-infrastructure/4446
1/focus=44461> who discovered it can be put in a mode where it streams
baseband data directly over USB (for analog FM demodulation in
software).
This resulted in Steve Markgraf’s rtl-sdr
http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr user-space capture utility
over
at Osmocom (see the Osmocom page to find compatible devices).
I’ve taken that source and created a fully-featured GNU Radio Source
block
http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/Gr-baz#rtl_source_c ‘baz.rtl_source_c’
(with
GRC block) that outputs complex values, and allows adjustment of
frequency,
sample rate and LNA gain. There is also an optional automatic tuner mode
control for the E4000. If you also like using Winrad/HDSDR/WRplus, my
ExtIO
plugin http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/USRP_Interfaces now has support
for
the device too. The Source block performs internal multi-threaded
buffering
for smoother performance (this might be over-engineered, but it seemed
to
help with the ExtIO plugin).
You can get the source code from my SVN
http://svn.spench.net/main/gr-baz/
or github https://github.com/balint256/gr-baz (though please visit
the
info page http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/Gr-baz#rtl_source_c first for
more
info/pre-reqs - e.g. libusb-1.0, etc). It’s experimental, and not the
prettiest because I actually ported it back from the ExtIO plugin, but
it
works for me and if you want to help test/clean it up then that would be
very much appreciated!
To see it in action, have a peek here: GNU Radio + RTL2832 DVB-T USB stick = $20 ultra-cheap Software Defined Radio - YouTube
Balint @spenchdotnet http://twitter.com/spenchdotnet
Awesome! I’m still waiting on my RTL-based card to arrive via snail-mail
from an unknown factory on the other side of the world. Will test when
it arrives!
From: discuss-gnuradio-bounces+sean.nowlan=removed_email_address@domain.invalid
[mailto:discuss-gnuradio-bounces+sean.nowlan=removed_email_address@domain.invalid] On
Behalf Of Balint S.
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 11:22 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Discuss-gnuradio] RTL2832 ($20 USB SDR) support now in gr-baz
Hi folks,
I’ve just added RTL2832 support to gr-baz with support for both tuners
(Elonics E4000 and Fitipower FC0013).
If you’re not aware, this is sold as a DVB-T USB receiver for ~$20,
which is a pretty decent price for a device that can do general purpose
SDR at 3.2 MHz and 8-bits! The journey starts with Antti
Palosaarihttp://thread.gmane.org/gmane.linux.drivers.video-input-infrastructure/44461/focus=44461
who discovered it can be put in a mode where it streams baseband data
directly over USB (for analog FM demodulation in software). This
resulted in Steve Markgraf’s
rtl-sdrhttp://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr user-space capture
utility over at Osmocom (see the Osmocom page to find compatible
devices).
I’ve taken that source and created a fully-featured GNU Radio Source
block
'baz.rtl_source_c’http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/Gr-baz#rtl_source_c
(with GRC block) that outputs complex values, and allows adjustment of
frequency, sample rate and LNA gain. There is also an optional automatic
tuner mode control for the E4000. If you also like using
Winrad/HDSDR/WRplus, my ExtIO
pluginhttp://wiki.spench.net/wiki/USRP_Interfaces now has support for
the device too. The Source block performs internal multi-threaded
buffering for smoother performance (this might be over-engineered, but
it seemed to help with the ExtIO plugin).
You can get the source code from my
SVNhttp://svn.spench.net/main/gr-baz/ or
githubhttps://github.com/balint256/gr-baz (though please visit the
info pagehttp://wiki.spench.net/wiki/Gr-baz#rtl_source_c first for
more info/pre-reqs - e.g. libusb-1.0, etc). It’s experimental, and not
the prettiest because I actually ported it back from the ExtIO plugin,
but it works for me and if you want to help test/clean it up then that
would be very much appreciated!
To see it in action, have a peek here: GNU Radio + RTL2832 DVB-T USB stick = $20 ultra-cheap Software Defined Radio - YouTube
Balint @spenchdotnethttp://twitter.com/spenchdotnet
Indeed, F****ng awesome!
Do you plan to submit upstream your gr-baz?
People, in dealextreme store the dongle is sold out.
I do not want to start an off-topic trend, but could you please mail me
in
private where are you buying such dongle?
Best regards,
Rafael D.
Hi Rafael,
The intention for upstream submission is certainly there, however time
is
not quite… hopefully soon.
Some blocks need optimisation, cleaning and re-styling - if anyone
wishes to
help by sending a patch, that would be wonderful (I just received my
first a
little while ago!).
Re: getting the dongle, I happened to get lucky on eBay. I can only
suggest
to keep searching! Good luck.
Kind regards,
Balint
PS: Lots happening here: http://www.reddit.com/r/RTLSDR/
And
Reddit - Dive into anything
efined_radio_with_rtl2832/
This kinda thing is gonna be incredibly useful even to us with USRP’s.
I’ve been working on a digital voice mode but without a second
expensive USRP I have no way to know what I’m broadcasting or how
reliable the modulation is. The uses for cheap, semi-disposable SDR’s
are limitless!
~Andrew
Hi Balint,
Good job!
Would it be possible to also git the I2C command document that you used
to
“tame” the RTL2832 or a link to it in the README?
Thanks,
Patrik
----- Original Message -----
From: “Balint S.” [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 4:43
Subject: Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] RTL2832 ($20 USB SDR) support now in
gr-baz
Many thanks for the info,
Patrik
----- Original Message -----
From: “Balint S.” [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: “‘Patrik T.’” [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 14:49
Subject: RE: [Discuss-gnuradio] RTL2832 ($20 USB SDR) support now in
gr-baz
Hi Patrik,
Firstly I should point out that the underlying I2C code has come from
the
rtl-sdr tool: Rtl-sdr - rtl-sdr - Open Source Mobile Communications
Which in turn (I believe) uses the tuner control source from the Linux
kernel RTL2832 V4L/USB DVB drivers. That source is also found at
GitHub - mbarbon/rtl2832: Realtech rtl2832u Linux driver (cloned from http://gitorious.org/rtl2832) (works with 2.6) and
https://gitorious.org/rtl2832 (looks like 3.0, and potential IR
support).
Unfortunately I understand the datasheets for both the demod and tuner
chips
are under NDA, so we can only go on what is already out there. This is a
real shame, because I get the feeling there are some other mysteries in
the
demod chip’s signal chain that ought to be switched off to get the most
out
of this as a cheap SDR receiver. All we can do at the moment is
experiment
with the available source and see what happens…
If anyone else knows more, please spill the beans! 
Kind regards,
Balint
PS: I’m just in the process of adding support for more tuners, e.g.
FC0012.
Rafael D. wrote in post #1054003:
Indeed, F****ng awesome!
Do you plan to submit upstream your gr-baz?
People, in dealextreme store the dongle is sold out.
I do not want to start an off-topic trend, but could you please mail me
in
private where are you buying such dongle?
Best regards,
Rafael D.
Please share where this can be purchased on-line.
Most places I have looked do not have any stock.
Thanks
donaldV