Device Prober

Usage Instructions

Step 1: List All SDR Devices

Find all connected SDR devices using SoapySDRUtil:

# Using SoapySDRUtil (if installed)
SoapySDRUtil --find

# Or use the probe script
PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/device-prober/probe_device.py --list

Example output:

Found 2 devices:
  [0] driver=rtlsdr, serial=00000001
      RTL2838UHIDIR, manufacturer=Realtek, product=RTL2838UHIDIR
  [1] driver=sdrplay, serial=240309F070
      SDRplay Dev1, model=RSPdx

Step 2: Probe Specific Device

Get detailed capabilities for a device:

PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/device-prober/probe_device.py \
  --device "driver=rtlsdr"

Parameters:

• --device: Device selector string (e.g., "driver=rtlsdr", "driver=sdrplay,serial=ABC123")
• --output: Save report to JSON file
• --test-capture: Test actual capture (verify device works)
• --test-duration: Seconds for test capture (default: 2)

Step 3: Interpret Results

The probe script outputs:

Device Information:

• Driver name (rtlsdr, sdrplay, hackrf, etc.)
• Hardware ID, serial number
• Manufacturer, product name

Frequency Ranges:

• Supported tuning ranges (e.g., 24 MHz - 1.7 GHz for RTL-SDR)
• Channel count (usually 1 for SDR receivers)

Sample Rates:

• Supported sample rates (e.g., 225 kHz - 3.2 MHz for RTL-SDR)
• Recommended rates for best performance

Gain Settings:

• Available gain elements (LNA, VGA, IF, etc.)
• Gain ranges in dB
• Automatic gain control (AGC) support

Antenna Ports:

• Available antenna connectors
• Default antenna selection

Advanced Features:

• Bias-T support (power LNA through antenna port)
• Direct sampling mode (HF reception on RTL-SDR)
• Clock references
• Sensor information (temperature, etc.)

Step 4: Test Device Configuration

Verify a specific configuration works:

PYTHONPATH=backend backend/.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/device-prober/probe_device.py \
  --device "driver=rtlsdr" \
  --test-capture \
  --test-duration 5

This performs a short capture to verify:

• Device can be opened
• Sample rate configuration works
• IQ samples are being received
• No errors or timeouts

Common Device Configurations

RTL-SDR (RTL2832U)

Device String:

driver=rtlsdr

Typical Capabilities:

• Frequency: 24 MHz - 1.766 GHz (with gap 1.1-1.25 GHz)
• Sample rate: 225 kHz - 3.2 MHz (optimal: 2-2.4 MHz)
• Gain: 0-50 dB (typically use 20-40 dB)
• Antennas: RX (single input)
• Features: Bias-T (some models), direct sampling (HF mode)

Recommended Settings:

device_args: "driver=rtlsdr"
sample_rate: 2048000  # 2.048 MHz
gain_db: 30

Direct Sampling for HF (<30 MHz):

device_args: "driver=rtlsdr,direct_samp=2"  # Q-branch for HF

SDRplay RSP1A/RSPdx

Device String:

driver=sdrplay,serial=YOUR_SERIAL

Typical Capabilities:

• Frequency: 1 kHz - 2 GHz
• Sample rate: 62.5 kHz - 10 MHz
• Gain: LNA 0-27 dB, IF -59 to 0 dB
• Antennas: A, B, Hi-Z (RSPdx)
• Features: Bias-T, notch filters

Recommended Settings:

device_args: "driver=sdrplay,serial=240309F070"
sample_rate: 2000000  # 2 MHz
gain_db: 40