Interpolation, BasicTX, and tune()

GNU Radio
1

Hello all–

I am a GNU Radio beginner attempting to build a simple CB radio
transmitter (26-27MHz AM) with the USRP and BasicTx.

I’ve started with fm_tx4.py (from the examples) and modified it to use
AM modulation and run at CB frequencies. However, I have a few
questions:

  • What does the tune() function do when using the BasicTx? The BasicTx
    does not have its own oscillator, correct? If so, how can it tune to
    anything? e.g.:

self.u = usrp.sink_c () # the USRP sink (consumes samples)
r = self.u.tune(self.subdev._which, self.subdev, target_freq)

  • My program reads in an audio file sampled at 8ks/s and mixes it with
    a 26.695MHz sine wave sampled at 128Ms/s. Therefore, the audio file must
    be interpolated by a factor of 16000 before it is multiplied with the
    carrier. (see code below) What is the simplest way to accomplish this?
    I’ve noticed that some of the examples do this with a filter; why is it
    done that way?

class pipeline(gr.hier_block):
def init(self, fg, filename, lo_freq, audio_rate, if_rate):

    src = gr.file_source (gr.sizeof_float, filename, True)

    # Local oscillator
    lo = gr.sig_source_c (if_rate,        # sample rate
                          gr.GR_SIN_WAVE, # waveform type
                          lo_freq,        #frequency
                          1.0,            # amplitude
                          0)              # DC Offset
    mixer = gr.multiply_cc ()

    converter = gr.float_to_complex ()

    interpolater = # Interpolate src by factor of if_rate/audio_rate

    fg.connect (src, converter, interpolater, (mixer, 0))
    fg.connect (lo, (mixer, 1))

    gr.hier_block.__init__(self, fg, src, mixer)

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,
Eric Menendez