LimeSDR

 

 

 

 

Driver

This is the quick start information for installation of the Windows drivers, the driver must be installed before you can use SDR Console.

 

See: driver installation for latest information.

  • Download the Windows drivers from Windows drivers as a ZIP file
    • Select Clone or download
    • Select Download ZIP
  • The ZIP file contains the drivers for various versions of Windows.

Now follow the instructions on driver installation

Firmware

Make sure you are using the latest firmware, information is on the wiki: [Link].

USB Problems

If the radio starts but then stops after a few seconds or runs slowly then you probably have insufficient USB power available. Try another USB port or a powered USB hub. You can also use an external power supply provided it meets the manufacturer's specification.

Power Supply

Use an external pwer supply (PSU) with the Lime when transmitting, recommended voltage is 8v, more than this is just dissipated as heat.

Microphone

The microphone (audio input) settings and configuration are described in detail here [link].

Options

Select transmit options from either:

  • Ribbon bar, Transmit, DSP.
  • The [•••] button in the top pane of the DSP options.

 

 

 

 



 

Known Problems

Lime Mini - Wrong Data

When starting a stream, sometimes the data is almost right - but isn’t. In the first image there are spurs every ~ 12kHz apart.

By simply setting the LO frequency again the data is then correct (below). Note: the LO frequency is the radio's centre frequency as shown at the bottom of the console display.

This problem is being actively investiagted.

Transmit

Build 3.0.4: Initial transmit support for:

  • LSB, USB, AM, Narrow-FM
  • Full-Duplex using RX1/2 and TX1/2 with the Lime USB (the Lime Mini only supports RX1 and TX1).

Power Supply

Use an external power supply (PSU) with the Lime USB when transmitting. The recommended voltage is 8v, more than this is just dissipated as heat.

Sample Rates

RX and TX sample rates are closely tied in the Lime's LMS7 chip. The RX/TX ratio can only be a power of 2 and is also limited by other factors.

Lime Mini: Transmit is only supported for 750 kHz.

Calibration

To calibrate the transmitter select TX Calib (see options below)., this will reduce the spur in the centre of the transmission. Currently the transmitter is not automatically calibrated by default. Some users are reporting improved calibration (spur reduction) when the unit is properly cooled.

The transmitter should be recalibrated when you change band and / or power level (drive).

 

More...

Full transmit support information is here [link].

Options

November 18th, 2018: The Lime options are now shown in the Receive DSP panel instead of the ribbon bar.

The options are:

  • RX Ant: Receive antenna,
  • TX Ant: Transmit anntenna,
  • Vis gain: Visual gain - this value is applied to the data received from the Lime SDR,
  • More: Advanced options (below),
  • RX Calib: Receive calibration,
  • TX Calib: Transmit calibration (radio must be in transmit for calibration to be successful),
  • Gains:
    • Gain: Set the combined gain value in dB. This function computes and sets the optimal gain values of various amplifiers that are present in the device based on desired  gain value in dB. Note actual gain depends on LO frequency and analog LPF configuration, resulting output signal level may be different when those values are changed. When you change this value the LNA, TIA and PGA are updated to reflect the new oeverall gain setting.
    • LNA: Low noise amplifier gain,
    • TIA: Transimpedance amplifier setting,
    • PGA: Programmable-gain amplifier setting.

The icons:

  •   go to the Lime page (the page you're currently viewing).
  •   show the LNA, TIA and PGA settings.
  •  hide the LNA, TIA and PGA settings.

At the bottom you see the chip temperature, TX drive level and TX peak input since the last update (usually one update per second).

 

More (Advanced)

Selecting More opens the advanced options display.

Antennas

The Antennas window shows the frequency range assigned to the antennas by the Lime support library, this information does not reflect any hardware changes.

Clocks

Displays the hardware clocks, enables external reference options.

Diagnostics

Optionally save the settings file when the Lime SDR is closed, this is for development use only and will be removed in a future release.

Options

Low-pass Filters

Enable the analog and digital filters, by default these are enabled (recommended).

Lime API Diagnostics

Primarilly for development use, ths enables the level of diagnostic information returned by the Lime support library.

RX Correction

To reduce the spur seen in the centre of the display there are two options: Firmware and Software. The software option is usally better than firmware. Gain and Phase correction are usually enabled.

TX Correction

These options are usually enabled.

TX Other

Disable the transmitter while in receive. Even when not sending and data the transmitter is till active unless disabled, so it is advisable to disable the transmitter while in receive.

Ini files

Used for debelopment / test purposes, specify a .ini file with pre-defined values. These .ini files are usually created with the limeSuite GUI.

 



 



Mini

May 6th, 2018: Working reliably with bandwidths up to 20Mhz. Above 25MHz the quality is poor, this is being investigated.

November 22nd, 2017: The LimeSDR Mini works.

LimeSuiteGUI

The LimeSuiteGUI is downloaded here. Use this program up load new firmware, very simple process.

Firmware info is here.

Source Code

The Lime support library source code is on GitHub here.

The main header file is here.

The project needed is LimeSuite, the other projects can be (and should be) ignored.