LibreSDR FPGA swap utility

libresdr_swapfpga switches the FPGA firmware of a USRP B210 or B220 between the original UHD image and the LibreSDR versions. A short menu lets you back up the original, replace it, and restore it later.

Use it when:

• you want to add LibreSDR capabilities to a USRP B210/B220;
• you switch between FPGA firmware versions for testing;
• you want the original firmware back for standard UHD operation.

Run it

The utility needs root privileges, because it writes to /usr/share/uhd/images/:

sudo libresdr_swapfpga

It shows a menu with four choices:

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

1. Back up the original firmware

Do this first, before any change:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 1

The backup is written to /usr/share/uhd/images/usrp_b210_fpga_backup.bin. If a backup already exists, this step is skipped, so your first backup is never overwritten.

2. Replace the firmware

Install a LibreSDR firmware in place of the original:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 2

Then pick the image for your board:

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

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

3. Restore the original firmware

Put the backed-up firmware back:

Enter your choice [1-4]: 3

4. Exit

Enter your choice [1-4]: 4

Good to know

• Back up the original firmware before any change.
• Restart any application that uses the USRP after changing the firmware.
• Some LibreSDR features need matching software support.
• The LibreSDR firmware may draw more power or run hotter.

Files it manages

Requirements: root privileges, UHD (the USRP Hardware Driver), and the LibreSDR firmware files above.

Troubleshooting

The device is not recognised after the swap

Unplug the device and plug it back in, then restart the UHD service: sudo systemctl restart uhd.

The replacement fails

Check that there is enough free disk space, and that the LibreSDR firmware files are at the paths listed above.

Permission errors

Run the utility with sudo or as root.

Restore without the utility

Copy the backup over the original by hand:

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