Using LimeSDR with Portsdown

Introduction

Software version 201811100 introduces experimental support for the Lime SDR Mini and the Lime SDR USB.

Powering the Lime

The Lime (both Mini and USB) has a greater power consumption than the RPi can comfortably power from its USB Port, so a powered USB Hub should be used to provide power to the Lime.

Installing the Lime Software

The software to drive the Lime SDR is not included in the normal Portsdown build; it is an additional download. To install the software, select Menu 3 and then select Lime Config. Then select "Install Lime". The update will report on progress and ask for a screen touch when it finishes. No reboot is required. Note that the software loaded is LimeSuite 18.04 (form April 2018) as more recent builds do not currently work with the Portsdown. To enable further testing to solve this issue, the button "Break Lime" loads the latest software (currently 18.10) - which of course will not work. Future Portsdown updates for the Lime software can simply be loaded by selecting "Install Lime" again.

Lime Firmware and Gateware

Selecting "Lime FW Info" displays the current Firmware and Gateware versions. Portsdown works best with the version matching Limesuite 18.04. This is Firmware Version 5 and Gateware version/revision 1.24 for the Lime Mini and ?? for the Lime USB. You should load these versions by pressing the "Update Lime FW" button.

If you want to update the Lime Firmware and Gateware to the latest version for use with other computers and applications, you should upgrade the Portsdown to the latest (non functioning) version of LimeSuite, then "Update Lime FW".