Is the FPGA in USRP 2920 Programmable?

[qdlpavel]

Hi, I am new to USRP. I am working on a radar using USRP 2920. Now I need two TTL outputs, with one DC and the other from 10kHz to 30kHz. The duration of the TTL high is around 3 usec.

Current I need a GPIO (say NI USB-6008) with high enough output frequency. I am considering whether I am able to program the FPGA in the USRP to communicate with the GPIO. And also, is there any recommendation on the GPIO?

Thank you so much.

[warEagle12]

Hello!

No, it is not possible to program the FPGA on the N series USRP's. However, what are you wanting to do? Perhaps there is a different work around.

Thanks!

[qdlpavel]

Thank you for your reply.

I am currently working on a software defined radar using the usrp 2920. I need two extra TTL outputs for switch output selection, one to block the receiver path during pulse transmission, the other to select pulse transmission path. If I cannot get them from the usrp, I need an extra device to make it.

[warEagle12]

Hello,

Thank you for the additional information. First, I wanted to correct myself from earlier. You cannot use LabVIEW FPGA to program the FPGA on the USRP, but you can re-image the FPGA using the USRP Configuration Utility. I don't think that this is what you are looking for, though. From the information that you have provided, you could potentially implement a software switch to switch between these two states.

Also, here is another forum post that discusses the USRP's ability to transmit and receive at the same time, as well as provide VI's to do so: http://forums.ni.com/t5/USRP-Software-Radio/Can-a-single-USRP-2920-tansmit-Tx-and-receive-Rx-at-the-...

Thanks!

[qdlpavel]

Due to high power output, I have to physically block the RX during TX transmission. Otherwise I am afraid it will damage the device... 

Still, thank you so much

[Matt-Bob]

Hello qdlpavel,

I agree with what Stephanie has said above; you are not able to program the FPGA on the USRP. However, I would like to clarify that re-imaging the FPGA using the USRP Configuration Utility really only changes the firmware on the board, for which the FPGA is being used, and that image is not something you can manipulate to use the FPGA for your own purposes. Also, to my knowledge, the USRP cannot be used with any sort of hardware triggering, other than providing it with an external local oscillator (LO). I am not sure what you mean by you need one TTL signal to, “block the receiver path during pulse transmission, the other to select pulse transmission path”. What exactly are you trying to output and why would you not be able to use software to control that output? Maybe I am missing something, but I don’t see how the high power output would be an issue, or one which would damage the device. The device is designed with a certain power output, which the hardware should be capable of maintain without incurring damage. I suppose it depends on how you are using the device, so please clarify.

[fspadafora]

Hi can I suggest you this article ?

[abenyINSA]

I hope it works if you use RFNoC ( a network-distributed heterogeneous processing tool )with a focus on enabling FPGA processing in USRP devices

[AgentAstronaut]

Hi All,

I want to clarify what is written on this board. First it is possible to modify the FPGA on the 2920, but it requires converting the NI 2920 into an Ettus N210 + WBX. You can do this by flashing the n210 firmware using the USRP configuration utility, however, this is not supported by National Instruments. You will need to contact Ettus Support or view their documentation to perform this conversion. Doing this conversion may void the warranty. Once the device is converted to an N210 it is no longer supported by NI support.

You will not be able to program the NI-2920 or the Ettus N210 using LabVIEW FPGA.

https://kb.ettus.com/N200/N210

http://files.ettus.com/manual/md_fpga.html

https://kb.ettus.com/Mapping_Between_ER-USRP_and_NI-USRP_Product_Numbers