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This version is outdated by a newer approved version.DiffThis version (14 Sep 2017 18:47) was approved by Robin Getz.

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Table of Contents

ADALM-PLUTO Prerequisites

To understand what the prerequisites are for using the ADALM-PLUTO (PlutoSDR), you need to understand what you are trying to do, and what software environment you want to do it in. The PlutoSDR is a powerful/flexible device, which can be used both in a standalone mode, or with a host, in multiple different software environments. The one that is best is unique to the problem at hand, so we don't specifically recommend a single solution. This page discusses both hardware and software options, and lists the most common1) configurations:

The PlutoSDR supports USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG), and can be used in two different modes:

  1. device, where the PlutoSDR communicates directly to a host, and streams data from/to the host.
    • Host with at least one USB 2.0 Port, which can supply 500mA (no self powered hubs), which runs Linux, OS X, or Windows
      • example: Personal Computer, Laptop, Tablet (running Linux), Raspberry Pi, Beagle Board, etc.
      • The only thing necessary is the included USB cable. If you need something longer, it should work, but has not been tested.
  2. host, where the PlutoSDR is the “brains” of the system, and communicates to other things via USB Wifi or USB Ethernet.
    • You need a USB OTG Cable, compatible USB dongle, and a USB Power supply (must be purchased separately)

You will also need an appropriate antenna for the frequency that you are interested in. Although there is an antenna included with the purchase of the ADALM-PLUTO, it may not be appropriate for the frequency that you are interested in (anything under 350 MHz).

PlutoSDR as a Device

You can stream data to any of these visualization tools, or SDR frameworks.

IIO Oscilloscope

The IIO Oscilloscope is a simple visualization tool that can be used with the PlutoSDR to control the device and stream data into/output the device.

It can be run on Linux and Windows (and soon MAC).

  1. You need to have a license for MATLAB® and/or Simulink®.
    • Depending on who you are, and where you are, you already may have access to a license.
      • If you are a student or faculty at a post-secondary institution (University, Community College, etc), check out MathWorks Academic section. Many schools provide a Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license or some require/ask their students to obtain Student version2)
      • If you are a hobbyist, enthusiast or maker, check out MATLAB Home.
      • There are many license options, if you are unsure, check out the MathWorks store
    • You need to have a host computer, which supports the minimum System Requirements for MATLAB.
    • No matter which license you have3), the following toolboxes are required to use MATLAB with the PlutoSDR:
    • You also will need a supported and compatible compiler, many which are zero cost, or free.
    • We have verified things on a subset of what MATHWORKS supports, including Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, macOS Sierra 10.12, macOS El Capitan 10.11, macOS Yosemite 10.10, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and 16.04 LTS, Debian 7.x, 8.x.

GNU Radio

  1. GNU Radio is mostly a Linux only tool. It can be run on Windows, but we have not tested in there.
    • We have verified things on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, Debian 8.x

PlutoSDR as a host

To use PlutoSDR as a host, there are two different modes:

  1. simple, easy, works out of the box
  2. complex, difficult, requires you to recompile the firmware running on the PlutoSDR

Either mode requires a power supply plugged into the Power USB connector, which can provide power for both the USB dongle you are plugging in, and the Pluto SDR itself. We recommend at least 5V, 1A or above, depending on the firmware image.

  1. AC adapters we have verified:
  2. Batteries we have verified:

Simple Host

The default firmware images support the following USB chipsets (and commercial dongles we have verified)

  • chipset 1
  • chipset 2
  • chipset 3

You should be able to just plug things in with a OTG cable (which supports OTG - many OTG cables don't properly connect the OTG ID signal, and the PlutoSDR has no idea anything is plugged in), and have things work out of the box to stream data over ethernet or Wifi.

If the PlutoSDR finds a mass storage with specific shell or python script, it will begin to save data to the mass storage device (enabling you to do low cost wireless site surveys), which you can load into SDR frameworks later.

Complex hosts

Almost every device which you can plug into a Linux host, you will be able to plug into a PlutoSDR with a kernel re-compile. check out the Developers information.

1)
not all possible configurations are listed
2)
If you have MATLAB Student edition, you will need the optional Communications System Toolbox
3)
to check your installed/licensed toolboxes, type the ver command at a MATLAB command prompt
university/tools/pluto/prerequisites.1505407617.txt.gz · Last modified: 14 Sep 2017 18:46 by Robin Getz

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