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bladeRF Accessories
This page lists some recommended accessories for the bladeRF. Please feel free to add your favorites!
The DC barrel jack on the bladeRF requires a 5V adapter, which should be rated to supply 1.5 to 2A.
The inner plug on the receptacle (on the bladeRF) is 2.5 mm and is +V. The diameter of the plug on the power supply is 5.5mm and is -V.
As shown by page 14 on the bladeRF schematic, the DC barrel jack is a Switchcraft RAPC712X. Remember that both jumpers on J70 need to be moved when switching between USB power and the DC barrel input:
- Power from USB Cable:
- Jumper J70 pins 2 and 3
- Jumper J70 pins 4 and 5
- Power from external DC supply
- Jumper J70 pins 1 and 2
- Jumper J70 pins 5 and 6
J70 Pinout:
4 3
5 2
6 1 <| (Pin 1 silkscreen annotation)
USB Power
| |
| |
o o <| (Pin 1 silkscreen annotation)
External DC power
o o
| |
| | <| (Pin 1 silkscreen annotation)
Legend:
o: Denotes non-jumpered pin
|: Denotes jumpered pinYou should never transmit without a 50 ohm load attached to the bladeRF's TX port, whether it be an antenna or a terminator. The same goes for the outputs on the XB-200.
Similarly, you should not connect the bladeRF TX port directly to the RX port. If you'd like to externally loop TX into RX, a 30 dB attenuator is recommended.
- Jameco SMB-174MM-12-R
- Amphenol-RF Division 145101-01-12.00
Combiners provide an excellent means to "hard-wire" multiple devices together for testing and evaluation.
The mounting holes on the bladeRF and the add-on boards are intended for use with 2-56 machine screws.
- Radio Shack
- 2-56 Round-Head Machine Screws (Model: 64-3010 Catalog #: 6403010)
- 2-56 Hex Nuts (Model: 64-3017 Catalog #: 6403017).
- Home Depot
- http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-2-56-x-3-8-in-Phillips-Slotted-Round-Head-Machine-Screws-37011/203085930 (includes 10 screws and 10 nuts)
- Terasic Blaster Cable
- via terasIC website
- via Digi-Key
- via Mouser
- Altera USB Blaster
- via Altera
- Segger J-Link
- The J-Link PLUS (or J-Link EDU for students) are recommended
- See Segger's distributor page for a distributor near you!
An RF test enclosure is an excellent way to perform testing without causing interference. Use of a well-shielded test enclosure is highly recommended.