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USRP Radio Parameters and Supported Ranges

Since R2026a

To configure USRP™ radios, you need to set the parameters of these System objects and blocks so that the hardware can tune and transmit or receive the signals.

This topic lists the key parameters of USRP radios supported by Wireless Testbench™ Support Package for NI™ USRP Radios and shows valid ranges for each USRP radio series.

Center Frequency

Center frequency is the frequency at which the USRP radio transmits or receives signals. The center frequency value depends on the RF daughterboards supported by each USRP radio.

USRP Radio SeriesValid Range (Hz)
USRP E320

70 MHz to 6 GHz

USRP N300 and USRP N310

10 MHz to 6 GHz

USRP N320 and USRP N321

3 MHz to 6 GHz

USRP X3xx Series

The center frequency value for X3xx series radios varies depending on the RF daughterboard.

USRP X410

1 MHz to 7.2 GHz

For USRP X3xx series radios, the center frequency value depends on the RF daughterboard.

RF daughterboardValid Range (Hz)
LFRX0 to 30 MHz
LFTX0 to 30 MHz
SBX400 MHz to 4.4 GHz
WBX50 MHz to 2.2 GHz
UBX10 MHz to 6 GHz
CBX1.2 GHz to 6 GHz
TwinRX10 MHz to 6 GHz
TVRX50 MHz to 860 MHz
TVRX250 MHz to 860 MHz

Gain

Gain determines the level of amplification applied to the signal. Increasing gain boosts the signal strength, which can improve reception of weak signals but may also introduce noise or distortion if set too high. Lower gain reduces amplification, which can help avoid saturation but may make the signal too weak for accurate processing. Choosing the right gain ensures a balance between signal quality and noise performance. The gain value depends on the RF daughterboards supported by each USRP radio.

USRP Radio SeriesRx Gain Valid Range (in dB)Tx Gain Valid Range (in dB)
USRP E3200 to 76 dB0 to 89.8 dB
USRP N300 and USRP N310
  • 0 to 25 dB (10 MHz to 300 MHz)

  • 0 to 20 dB (300 MHz to 6 GHz)

  • 0 to 25 dB (10 MHz to 300 MHz)

  • 0 to 20 dB (300 MHz to 6 GHz)

USRP N320 and USRP N321

0 to 60 dB (1 MHz to 6 GHz)

0 to 60 dB (1 MHz to 6 GHz)

USRP X3xx Series

The gain value for X3xx series radios varies depending on the RF daughterboard.

USRP X4100 to 60 dB0 to 60 dB

For USRP X3xx series radios, the gain value depends on the RF daughterboard.

RF daughterboardRx Gain Valid Range (in dB)Tx Gain Valid Range (in dB)
SBX0 to 31.5 dB0 to 31.5 dB
WBX0 to 31.5 dB0 to 31.5 dB
UBX0 to 31.5 dB0 to 31.5 dB
CBX0 to 31.5 dB0 to 31.5 dB
TwinRX0 to 93 dB0 to 93 dB
TVRX
  • RF: -13.3 to 50.3 dB (frequency-dependent)

  • IF: -1.5 to 32.5 dB

-
TVRX20 to 30 dB-

Master Clock Rate

Master clock rate is the base hardware clock that determines the radio’s internal sampling and conversion rates. USRP radios transmit and receive waveforms at a sample rate of MCR divided by a supported decimation or interpolation factor, where MCR is the master clock rate.

USRP Radio SeriesValid Range (Hz)
USRP E320

200 kHz to 61.44 MHz

Note

When you use a USRP E320 radio with two transmit channels, the clock rate must be less than or equal to 30.72 MHz. This restriction is a hardware limitation for two-channel operations on USRP E320 radios.

USRP N300 or N310
  • 122.8 MHz

  • 125 MHz

  • 153.6 MHz

USRP N320 or N321
  • 200 MHz

  • 245.76 MHz

  • 250 MHz

USRP X300 or X310
  • 184.32 MHz

  • 200 MHz

USRP X410
  • 245.76 MHz

  • 250 MHz

Decimation Factor or Interpolation Factor

Decimation and interpolation factors control how the radio scales the master clock rate to achieve the requested sample rate.

USRP Radio SeriesDecimation Factor Valid RangeInterpolation factor Valid Range
USRP E320

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

USRP N3xx Series

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

USRP X3xx Series

  • Integer in the range [1,128]

  • Even integer in the range [128,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

  • Integer in the range [1,128]

  • Even integer in the range [128,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

USRP X410

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • Even integer in the range [4,256]

  • Multiple of 4 in the range [256,512]

  • Multiple of 8 in the range [512,1016]

See Also

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