BladeRF Mini A4 Support Guide (Primary SDR Device)
🎯 Primary SDR Device
The BladeRF Mini A4 is our primary SDR device - a compact, low-power SDR device that's fully compatible and optimized for portable GSM BTS applications.
Overview
This guide covers the specific setup and configuration for the BladeRF Mini A4 SDR device with YateBTS on Raspberry Pi 4. The BladeRF Mini A4 is our primary SDR device - a compact, low-power SDR device that's fully compatible and optimized for portable GSM BTS applications.
Hardware Specifications
BladeRF Mini A4 Features (Primary Device)
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 70 MHz - 6 GHz |
| Bandwidth | Up to 20 MHz |
| Sample Rate | Up to 61.44 MSPS |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Power Consumption | ~2W (USB powered) |
| Dimensions | 100mm x 60mm x 15mm |
| Weight | ~50g |
Key Differences from BladeRF x40/x115
- Smaller form factor - More portable
- Lower power consumption - USB powered only
- Different firmware - Requires specific firmware files
- Limited I/O - Fewer GPIO pins
- No external clock input - Uses internal reference
Installation and Setup
1. Hardware Connection
✅ Connection Steps
- Connect BladeRF Mini A4 to Raspberry Pi 4 via USB 3.0 port
- Ensure stable power supply (use powered USB hub if needed)
- Connect antenna to SMA connector
- Verify device recognition:
lsusb | grep BladeRF
2. Driver Installation
# Install BladeRF drivers and tools
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y libbladerf-dev bladerf
# Verify installation
bladeRF-cli --version
3. Firmware Installation
⚠️ Important
The BladeRF Mini A4 requires specific firmware files. Download the latest firmware from the official BladeRF repository.
# Download and install firmware
wget https://github.com/Nuand/bladeRF/raw/master/host/utilities/fpga_common/fpga_images/bladerf-fpga-0.10.2.img
sudo bladeRF-cli -f bladerf-fpga-0.10.2.img
YateBTS Configuration
1. YateBTS Configuration File
Configure YateBTS to use the BladeRF Mini A4:
# /etc/yate/yatebts.conf
[transceiver]
type=bladerf
device=0
frequency=900000000
bandwidth=20000000
gain=40
2. Performance Optimization
- USB 3.0 - Use USB 3.0 port for maximum bandwidth
- Power Management - Disable USB power management
- Buffer Size - Optimize buffer sizes for Mini A4
- CPU Affinity - Pin YateBTS to specific CPU cores
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Device Not Recognized
# Check USB connection
lsusb | grep BladeRF
# Check kernel messages
dmesg | grep -i blade
# Reset USB port
sudo usb_modeswitch -v 0x2cf0 -p 0x5246 -R
Performance Issues
- Check USB 3.0 connection
- Verify power supply stability
- Monitor CPU usage and temperature
- Check for USB bandwidth limitations
Firmware Issues
# Check firmware version
bladeRF-cli -i
# Reload firmware if needed
sudo bladeRF-cli -f bladerf-fpga-0.10.2.img
Performance Benchmarks
| Metric | BladeRF Mini A4 | Target |
|---|---|---|
| GSM Channels | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Concurrent Users | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Power Consumption | ~2W | <3W |
| Latency | <50ms | <100ms |
Advanced Configuration
1. Custom Frequency Plans
Configure custom frequency plans for different regions:
# Custom frequency configuration
[gsm]
arfcn=1
frequency=935.2
band=GSM900
2. Power Management
- Enable USB power management
- Configure sleep modes
- Optimize for battery operation
3. Monitoring and Logging
# Enable detailed logging
[logging]
level=debug
file=/var/log/yatebts/bladerf-mini-a4.log
🎯 Next Steps
After configuring your BladeRF Mini A4:
- Test basic functionality with
bladeRF-cli - Configure YateBTS for your specific use case
- Run performance tests and optimization
- Set up monitoring and logging