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100 lines
3.5 KiB
ReStructuredText
100 lines
3.5 KiB
ReStructuredText
.. _rtl:
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RTLSDR
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======
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RTL-SDR (RTL2832U Software Defined Radio) is a low-cost USB dongle originally designed for digital TV reception
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that has been repurposed as a wideband software-defined radio. RTL-SDR devices are popular for hobbyist use due to
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their affordability and wide range of applications.
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The RTL-SDR is based on the Realtek RTL2832U chipset, which features direct sampling and demodulation of RF
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signals. These devices are commonly used for tasks such as listening to FM radio, monitoring aircraft traffic
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(ADS-B), receiving weather satellite images, and more.
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Supported Models
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----------------
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- Generic RTL-SDR Dongle: The most common variant, usually featuring an R820T or R820T2 tuner.
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- RTL-SDR Blog V3: An enhanced version with additional features like direct sampling mode and a bias tee for
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powering external devices.
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Key Features
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------------
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- Frequency Range: Typically from 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz, depending on the tuner chip.
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- Bandwidth: Limited to about 2.4 MHz, making it suitable for narrowband applications.
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- Connectivity: USB 2.0 interface, plug-and-play on most platforms.
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- Software Support: Compatible with SDR software like SDR#, GQRX, and GNU Radio.
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Limitations
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-----------
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- Narrow bandwidth compared to more expensive SDRs, which may limit some applications.
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- Sensitivity and performance can vary depending on the specific model and components.
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- Requires external software for signal processing and analysis.
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Set up instructions (Linux, Radioconda)
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---------------------------------------
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1. Activate your Radioconda environment:
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.. code-block:: bash
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conda activate <your-env-name>
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2. Purge drivers:
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If you already have other drivers installed, purge them from your system.
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.. code-block:: bash
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sudo apt purge ^librtlsdr
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/lib/librtlsdr*
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/include/rtl-sdr*
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/lib/librtlsdr*
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/include/rtl-sdr*
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/include/rtl_*
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sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/bin/rtl_*
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3. Install RTL-SDR Blog drivers:
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.. code-block:: bash
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sudo apt-get install libusb-1.0-0-dev git cmake pkg-config build-essential
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git clone https://github.com/osmocom/rtl-sdr
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cd rtl-sdr
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mkdir build
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cd build
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cmake ../ -DINSTALL_UDEV_RULES=ON
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make
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sudo make install
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sudo cp ../rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
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sudo ldconfig
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4. Blacklist the DVB-T modules that would otherwise claim the device:
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.. code-block:: bash
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sudo ln -s $CONDA_PREFIX/etc/modprobe.d/rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf /etc/modprobe.d/radioconda-rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf
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sudo modprobe -r $(cat $CONDA_PREFIX/etc/modprobe.d/rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf | sed -n -e 's/^blacklist //p')
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.. note::
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In addition to the Radioconda blacklist file, some systems also require
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manually blacklisting the following DVB-T modules to prevent them from
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claiming the device:
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- ``dvb_usb_rtl28xxu``
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- ``rtl2832``
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- ``rtl2830``
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Add these entries to ``rtlsdr.conf`` (or create the file at
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``/etc/modprobe.d/rtlsdr.conf``) if they are not already present.
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5. Install a udev rule by creating a link into your radioconda installation:
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.. code-block:: bash
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sudo ln -s $CONDA_PREFIX/lib/udev/rules.d/rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/radioconda-rtl-sdr.rules
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sudo udevadm control --reload
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sudo udevadm trigger
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Further Information
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-------------------
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- `RTL-SDR Official Website <https://www.rtl-sdr.com/>`_
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- `RTL-SDR Documentation <https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/>`_ |