Software Defined Radio

limesuite

limesuite is the software for LimeSDR boards, a capable, transmit-capable SDR platform. Like the HackRF it can both receive and transmit, but LimeSDR is full-duplex (transmit and receive at the same time) and field-programmable, which makes it a favorite for building actual radio systems — including running small cellular base stations in a lab. The same transmit caveats apply: keep it legal and shielded.

Official-repo package; Security → Software Defined Radio → limesuite. It ships LimeUtil (device management and info), LimeSuiteGUI (the graphical control panel), and LimeQuickTest (hardware self-test).

The help it prints

Usage LimeUtil [options]
  Options summary:
    --help 				 Print this help message
    --info 				 Print module information
    --find[="module=foo,serial=bar"] 	 Discover available devices
    --force 				 Force operation
    --make[="module=foo,serial=bar"] 	 Create a device instance

  Advanced options:
    --args[="module=foo,serial=bar"] 	 Arguments for the options below
    --update          			 Automatic firmware sync + flash
    --fpga="filename" 			 Program FPGA gateware to flash
    --fw="filename"   			 Program FX3  firmware to flash
    --timing          			 Time interfaces and operations
    --FX3reset[="module=foo,serial=bar"] 			 FX3 USB controller reset

  Calibrations sweep:
    --cal[="module=foo,serial=bar"]  	 Calibrate device, optional device args...
    --start[=freqStart]                	 Frequency start for the sweep(Hz)
    --stop[=freqStop]                  	 Frequency stop for the sweep(Hz)
    --step[=freqStep, default=1MHz]    	 Frequency step for the sweep(Hz)
    --bw[=bandwidth, default=30MHz]    	 Desired calibration bandwidth(Hz)
    --dir[=direction, default=BOTH]    	 Calibration direction, RX, TX, BOTH
    --chans[=channels, default=ALL]    	 Calibration channels, 0, 1, ALL

  External reference clock:
    --refclk[="module=foo,serial=bar"] 	 Enable external reference clock
    --fref[=freq]                	 Reference frequency (Hz)
    --fvco[=freq]                	 VCO frequency (Hz)

Examples

# List connected Lime devices
LimeUtil --find

# Show detailed info about the device
LimeUtil --info

# Run the built-in hardware self-test
LimeQuickTest

# Open the graphical control panel
LimeSuiteGUI

Once the device checks out, most work happens through SoapySDR-aware receivers like gqrx or sdrangel, which talk to the Lime through the Soapy layer.