ria-toolkit-oss/docs/source/sdr_guides/blade.rst

.. _blade:

BladeRF
=======

The BladeRF is a versatile software-defined radio (SDR) platform developed by Nuand. It is designed for a wide
range of applications, from wireless communication research to field deployments. BladeRF devices are known
for their high performance, flexibility, and extensive open-source support, making them suitable for both
hobbyists and professionals. The BladeRF is based on the Analog Devices AD9361 RF transceiver, which provides
wide frequency coverage and high bandwidth.

Supported Models
----------------

- **BladeRF 2.0 Micro xA4:** A compact model with a 49 kLE FPGA, ideal for portable applications.
- **BladeRF 2.0 Micro xA9:** A higher-end version of the Micro with a 115 kLE FPGA, offering more processing power in a small form factor.

Key Features
------------

- **Frequency Range:** Typically from 47 MHz to 6 GHz, covering a wide range of wireless communication bands.
- **Bandwidth:** Up to 56 MHz, allowing for wideband signal processing.
- **FPGA:** Integrated FPGA (varies by model) for real-time processing and custom logic development.
- **Connectivity:** USB 3.0 interface for high-speed data transfer, with options for GPIO, SPI, and other I/O.

Hackability
-----------

- **Expansion:** The BladeRF features GPIO, expansion headers, and add-on boards, allowing users to extend the
  functionality of the device for specific applications, such as additional RF front ends.
- **Frequency and Bandwidth Modification:** Advanced users can modify the BladeRF's settings and firmware to
  explore different frequency bands and optimize the bandwidth for their specific use cases.

Limitations
-----------

- The complexity of FPGA development may present a steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with hardware
  description languages (HDL).
- Bandwidth is capped at 56 MHz, which might not be sufficient for ultra-wideband applications.
- USB 3.0 connectivity is required for optimal performance; using USB 2.0 will significantly limit data
  transfer rates.

Set up instructions (Linux)
---------------------------

Step 1: Install the base dependencies and drivers ('Easy method')

.. code-block:: bash

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nuandllc/bladerf
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install bladerf
    sudo apt-get install libbladerf-dev
    sudo apt-get install bladerf-fpga-hostedxa4   # Necessary for installation of bladeRF 2.0 Micro A4.


Step 2: Create and/or activate your virtual environment

.. code-block:: bash

    python3 -m venv venv
    pip install -r requirements.txt  # If relevant
    source venv/bin/activate


Step 3: from within the virtual environment, clone the bladerf host repo, then build and install the wheel for
bladerf python bindings. 

.. code-block:: bash

    cd ~
    mkdir workarea
    cd workarea
    git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Nuand/bladeRF.git
    cd bladeRF/host
    cd libraries/libbladeRF_bindings/python
    sudo python3 setup.py bdist_wheel
    pip install dist/*.whl

Further Information
-------------------

- `Official Website <https://www.nuand.com/>`_
- `BladeRF Documentation <https://www.nuand.com/documentation/>`_
- `GitHub Repository <https://github.com/Nuand/bladeRF>`_