LibreSDR FPGA Swap Utility

LibreSDR FPGA Swap Utility

Overview

The libresdr_swapfpga utility allows you to easily switch between different FPGA firmware binaries for USRP B210/B220 devices when using them with LibreSDR. This tool provides a simple interface to backup, replace, and restore FPGA firmware files, enabling enhanced functionality with LibreSDR modifications.

What This Utility Does

This utility manages the FPGA firmware files that control the behavior of USRP B210/B220 software-defined radio devices. It allows you to:

1. Backup the original USRP FPGA firmware
2. Replace the firmware with LibreSDR-enhanced versions
3. Restore the original firmware when needed

When to Use This Utility

Use the libresdr_swapfpga utility when:

• You want to enhance your USRP B210/B220 with LibreSDR capabilities
• You need to switch between different FPGA firmware versions for testing
• You want to restore the original firmware for standard UHD operation

Using the Utility

Running the Utility

The utility must be run with root privileges:

sudo libresdr_swapfpga

Main Menu Options

The utility presents a menu with four options:

What would you like to do?
1) Backup the original binary
2) Replace the original binary
3) Restore the backup binary
4) Exit

1. Backup the Original Binary

Before making any changes, it’s recommended to back up the original FPGA firmware:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 1

This creates a backup at: /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga_backup.bin

If a backup already exists, this operation will be skipped to prevent overwriting your existing backup.

2. Replace the Original Binary

To replace the original firmware with a LibreSDR version:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 2

You’ll be presented with two replacement options:

Select the binary to replace the original:
1) libresdr_b210.bin
2) libresdr_b220.bin
3) Cancel

• libresdr_b210.bin: Enhanced firmware for USRP B210 devices
• libresdr_b220.bin: Enhanced firmware for USRP B220 devices

3. Restore the Backup Binary

If you need to revert to the original firmware:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 3

This will restore the previously backed-up firmware file.

4. Exit

To exit the utility:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 4

Technical Details

File Locations

The utility manages the following files:

• Original firmware: /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga.bin
• Backup location: /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga_backup.bin
• LibreSDR B210: /rftools/sdr/libresdr/libresdr_b210.bin
• LibreSDR B220: /rftools/sdr/libresdr/libresdr_b220.bin

System Requirements

• Root privileges (required to modify files in /usr/share/uhd/images/)
• UHD (USRP Hardware Driver) installed
• LibreSDR firmware files

Important Notes

• Always backup your original firmware before making any changes
• After changing firmware, you may need to restart any applications using the USRP device
• Some LibreSDR features may require specific software support
• The enhanced firmware may consume more power or generate more heat during operation

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Device not recognized after firmware swap:

• Disconnect and reconnect the device
• Restart the UHD service: sudo systemctl restart uhd

Errors during firmware replacement:

• Ensure you have sufficient disk space
• Verify that the LibreSDR firmware files exist in the correct location

Permission issues:

• The utility must be run with sudo or as root

Restoring from Command Line

If you need to restore the original firmware without the utility:

sudo cp /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga_backup.bin /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga.bin