Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] USRP synchronization

[Matt Ettus]

On 03/10/2010 06:39 AM, ValentinG wrote:
> Thanks a lot for the answers!
>
> Yes all of our boards are USRP2s.
>
> We do have a common PPS signal provided by the external signal generator. We
> use code from the VRT branch and call set_time_at_next_pps for all 4 boards
> to reset their times. Then we call start streaming for all 4 boards some
> seconds later. This as we understand ensures the alignment of the samples
> received.

OK, then you just have the RF phase issues.

> We use RFX2400 daughterboards.
>
> There are a few other questions we wanted to ask:
>
> 1.) We observe a phase shift between MB clocks on different USRP2
> MotherBoards which changes each time the USRP2 is reset. Is there a finite
> number of possibilities for that phase difference due to its PLL? How many
> are there?

It depends where you are measuring.  The main 100 MHz clock should 
always come up with the same phase.

> 2.) Does the PLL on the daughterboards uses the clock, generated on the MBs
> as a reference to lock the VCO signal used for downconversion? Or does it
> use the external 10MHz clock as the reference?

It uses the clock from the motherboard, not the 10 MHz reference.

> 3.) If there is a finite number for the phase differences (N) between MB
> clocks and these are used to produce the down-converter signal, which can
> also have a finite number of phase differences (M), this would imply that we
> can have NxM different phases, correct?

Basically, divisions produce ambiguity, multiplications remove it.  To 
take an example -- assume you are using a 10 MHz reference and your 
final LO frequency is 2450 MHz.  The 10 MHz reference is multiplied up 
to 100 MHz, and will have no phase ambiguity.  The 100 MHz is sent to 
each daughterboard where it is divided by 16 to create the 6.25 MHz 
compare frequency.  This will have a 16-way ambiguity.  This is then 
multiplied up by 392 to get 2450.  16 is not a factor of 392, but 8 is. 
 So 16/8 = 2 and you get a 2-way ambiguity.

If, on the other hand, you choose 2456.25 MHz for your LO frequency, the 
multiplication factor is 393, which shares no common factors with 16, 
and so you have 16-way ambiguity.  By judiciously choosing your R 
divider and LO frequency, you can often get rid of the ambiguity.

I actually just thought of another possible way to do this which might 
be even better, so let me think about that and I'll get back to you.

> 4.) Do the PLL's on the daugherboard tune every time a C++ or Python program
> is run or every time the board is powered on? i.e. for phased arrays will we
> just need to calibrate every time the board is powered on or every time we
> take a given stream of data?

Every time you send the tune command.  You should only send this when 
you need to change frequency, not every time you start streaming.

> 5.) How can we change the number of possible phases for the daughterboard?
> 6.) Does reducing this number increase lock time?

Not a lot.

> 7.) How can we tune so there is no ambiguity in the phase of the boards like
> you suggested?

Yes, you need to choose your factors carefully.

Matt