Create a Live USB drive with ODR mmbTools and start transmitting DAB in under 20 minutes

[Tobias W.]

Some time ago I was looking for a quick howto which allowed me to give my colleagues an instant feeling of success with the ODR mmbTools. Unfortunately there wasn't any.
Although Matthias' documentation is already very good, it requires understanding of Linux and how to install all the GNU Radio tools (usually some dependencies won't install right away and you need to solve some errors).
In the end I managed to get o a qick installation procedure. Thanks to Matthias' encouragement, I am here to share.

My initial goals:

• Install a Ubuntu Live System to a USB drive (containing ODR mmbTools and other required software) from a Windows PC
  
• Transmit an existing ETI file with a USRP B100 (WBX board)

The most convenient way for me was to use the official GNU Radio Live SDR Environment (Ubuntu based), as it already contains a full GNU Radio installation. I used version 2015-0623, but in the meantime 2015-0726 is available. Download the ISO image of your preference.

I wanted to be able to keep changes while running Linux from the USB drive, so casper was also a requirement. An easy way to achieve this is to use the Universal USB Installer to install the GNU Radio Ubuntu Image.

Installing the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment to a USB drive

• Download the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment ISO image
  
• Make sure your USB drive is connected to your machine
• Start the Universal USB Installer executable
• For Step 1, select "Ubuntu"
• Select the ISO image in Step 2 with the Browse button
• In Step 3, select your USB drive letter
• With Step 4, make sure to enable persistency by selecting a file size for storage
• Click Create

After the procedure finishes, you can reboot your machine from the USB drive.

Installing the ODR mmbTools

I tried to use Matthias' install script for Debian, which unfortunately did not work right out of the box. Please use my modified version instead (debian.sh, attached to this post). I did comment out the section in the install script for checking the Debian version, installation of GNU Radio and UHD and I added "--force-yes" to some apt commands.

• Make sure your internet conncetion works
• Download the modified debian.sh install script from this post
  
• On your console, start the install script with "./debian.sh"

For me the installation worked without giving any errors. I copied the attached mod.ini as well as an ETI file to the ~/dab/ folder. After adding the correct .eti file name to mod.ini, I could start transmitting DAB with entering "odr-dabmod mod.ini".

Currently that's all what I have tested. I have not (yet) verified that transmissing an own generated DAB ensemble works. Anyone who can confirm?

Regards,

Tobias

[Matthias P. Brändli]

Hi Tobias !

That's really cool, thanks for your guide. Taking the GNURadio livecd as
a base is a good idea, because it already installs quite a few
prerequisites.

I will take your modified script and add it to the mmbtools-aux
repository, but I won't have time to test it properly.

Is it ok for you if I also include parts of your text in the README and
on the wiki ?

mpb

On 04. 08. 15 14:56, Tobias W. wrote:
> Some time ago I was looking for a quick howto which allowed me to give
> my colleagues an instant feeling of success with the ODR mmbTools.
> Unfortunately there wasn't any.
> AlthoughMatthias' documentation

> <http://www.opendigitalradio.org/releases/mmbtools.pdf> is already very

> good, it requires understanding of Linux and how to install all the GNU
> Radio tools (usually some dependencies won't install right away and you
> need to solve some errors).
> In the end I managed to get o a qick installation procedure. Thanks to
> Matthias' encouragement, I am here to share.
>
> My initial goals:
>

> * Install a Ubuntu Live System to a USB drive (containing ODR mmbTools

> and other required software) from a Windows PC

> * Transmit an existing ETI file with a USRP B100 (WBX board)
>
> The most convenient way for me was to use the officialGNU Radio Live SDR
> Environment (Ubuntu based)
> <https://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/GNURadioLiveDVD>,

> as it already contains a full GNU Radio installation. I used
> version2015-0623

> <http://s3-dist.gnuradio.org/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-amd64-gnuradio-3.7.8git-snapshot-2015-0623.iso>,

> but in the meantime 2015-0726

> <http://s3-dist.gnuradio.org/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-amd64-gnuradio-3.7.8git-snapshot-2015-0726.iso>

> is available. Download the ISO image of your preference.
>
> I wanted to be able to keep changes while running Linux from the USB
> drive, so casper was also a requirement. An easy way to achieve this is
> to use the Universal USB Installer

> <http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/> to

> install the GNU Radio Ubuntu Image.
>
>

> *Installing the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment to a USB drive*
>
> * Download the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment ISO image
> <https://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/GNURadioLiveDVD>
> * Make sure your USB drive is connected to your machine
> * Start the Universal USB Installer
> <http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/> executable
> * For Step 1, select "Ubuntu"
> * Select the ISO image in Step 2 with the Browse button
> * In Step 3, select your USB drive letter
> * With Step 4, make sure to enable persistency by selecting a file
> size for storage
> * Click Create
>
> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w0C98ncXwY8/VcCzUtVhsaI/AAAAAAAAAN0/oXHM6DVFGRc/s1600/ubuntu_gr_install_w_uui.png>

>
>
>
> After the procedure finishes, you can reboot your machine from the USB
> drive.
>
>

> *Installing the ODR mmbTools*

>
> I tried to use Matthias' install script for Debian

> <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mpbraendli/mmbtools-aux/master/installer/debian.sh>,

> which unfortunately did not work right out of the box. Please use my
> modified version instead (debian.sh, attached to this post). I did
> comment out the section in the install script for checking the Debian
> version, installation of GNU Radio and UHD and I added "--force-yes" to
> some apt commands.
>

> * Make sure your internet conncetion works
> * Download the modified debian.sh install script from this post
> * On your console, start the install script with "./debian.sh"

>
> For me the installation worked without giving any errors. I copied the
> attached mod.ini as well as an ETI file to the ~/dab/ folder. After
> adding the correct .eti file name to mod.ini, I could start transmitting
> DAB with entering "odr-dabmod mod.ini".
>
>
> Currently that's all what I have tested. I have not (yet) verified that
> transmissing an own generated DAB ensemble works. Anyone who can confirm?
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Tobias
>
>

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[Tobias W.]

Hi Matthias,

currently it's only time which keeps me from generating an ensemble and testing if it works. But when I get to that, I will give an update here.
Of course you can add my text to your README/documentation/wiki/etc.

Best regards,
Tobias

> <mailto:crc-mmbtools+unsub...@googlegroups.com>.

[Lindsay Cornell]

Dear Tobias,
I have had the chance to check this out.  It's really impressive!

My experience... it took a bit more than 20 minutes! Building the USB 
stick was just as you describe - I've done this before so no surprises. 
Would suggest you add a note on creating a user account with password 
after booting off the stick.  Windows users might also need to know to 
chmod +x to make it run.  Otherwise it was  a breeze - only one 
question - from Jack about realtime, and needing to enter my sudo 
password along the way.

Anyway, with the script run, I edited the mod.ini and had dab on air. 
I'll try to use the mux soon and report back...

Thanks very much!
Lindsay

[Matthias Brändli]

Hi,

I've put your script and description next to the debian.sh script:

https://github.com/mpbraendli/mmbtools-aux/tree/master/installer

Thanks again for this !

mpb

> > an email to crc-mmbtools...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>
> > <mailto:crc-mmbtools...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>>.

> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout

> <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>.

>
> --
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> <mailto:crc-mmbtools...@googlegroups.com>.

[Aurelien Picart]

Hi!

Is it working with HackRFone?

[Jan de Vries]

Would it be possible to produce an installer ,using the HackRF one, or at least some how to ? Would appreciate that !!!!



Op vrijdag 14 augustus 2015 23:08:12 UTC+2 schreef Aurelien Picart:

[Tobias W.]

Hi Jan and Aurelien,

I know that the ODRmmbtools are working with the HackRF, Matthias describes how it works in the ODRmmbtools manual. Unfortunately I only have an USRP here at hand and cannot test this.

Anyone who can give the guys a kickstart?

Best regards,
Tobias

[Gerrit Kramer]

Dear Tobias,

thanks for this easy way to install odr tools.

I used:

Gnuradio 3.7.10.1

Usb installer 1.9.6.6

Your debian.sh script and placed mod.ini

No errors. I see the Dab folder. But when I give commands like odr-dabmod mod.ini there is no odr-dabmod

When I want to use odr-dabmux to generate eti files (using manual opendigitalradio.org) there is no odr-dabmux.

I searched every where on my Gnuradio install.

Did I do something wrong.....

Thanks for your help.

A Linux newbie

Gerrit Kramer

Op dinsdag 4 augustus 2015 14:56:24 UTC+2 schreef Tobias W.:

Some time ago I was looking for a quick howto which allowed me to give my colleagues an instant feeling of success with the ODR mmbTools. Unfortunately there wasn't any.
Although Matthias' documentation is already very good, it requires understanding of Linux and how to install all the GNU Radio tools (usually some dependencies won't install right away and you need to solve some errors).
In the end I managed to get o a qick installation procedure. Thanks to Matthias' encouragement, I am here to share.

My initial goals:

• Install a Ubuntu Live System to a USB drive (containing ODR mmbTools and other required software) from a Windows PC
  

• ansmit an existing ETI file with a USRP B100 (WBX board)The most convenient way for me was to use the official GNU Radio Live SDR Environment (Ubuntu based), as it already contains a full GNU Radio installation. I used version 2015-0623, but in the meantime 2015-0726 is available. Download the ISO image of your preference.

[t0bY!]

Hello Gerrit,

sorry for the delay in response, I first wanted to test on my installation if I did explain everything correctly.

For me entering "odr-dabmod mod.ini" works fine.

In my home directory the odr-dabmod application is located under ~/dab/ODR-DabMod/. Can you please check if the file attributes are correctly set, i.e. if the application has the executable flag?

If that's not the issue, I would need to hand over to someone else here with more knowledge of the software.

Regards,

Tobias

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[Gerrit Kramer]

Hello Tobias,

the scripts stops with this message: ~/dab/etisnoop ~/dab
make: *** No targets specified and no makefile found.  Stop.

When I manage the script and remove everything before the Etisnoop part it runs. But everything is installed in
different maps in the /home directory. For example: /home/ODR-DabMod in this map there is no executable odr-dabmux

Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Gerrit


Op vrijdag 23 september 2016 13:06:07 UTC schreef Tobias W.:

[t0bY!]

Hi Gerrit,

looks like some sort of built issue. Currently I have no idea and hope that someone else can help.

Regards,

Tobias

[Matthias Brändli]

I moved etisnoop from CMake to autotools, because I know it better. Very
early versions only had a makefile.

So you need to do the traditional bootstrap configure make sequence

mpb

On 28. 09. 16 12:50, 't0bY!' via mmbtools wrote:
> Hi Gerrit,
>
> looks like some sort of built issue. Currently I have no idea and hope
> that someone else can help.
>
> Regards,
> Tobias
>
> Am 25.09.2016 um 17:10 schrieb Gerrit Kramer <gkr...@expert.guidion.net

> <mailto:gkr...@expert.guidion.net>>:

>
>> Hello Tobias,
>>
>> the scripts stops with this message: ~/dab/etisnoop ~/dab
>> make: *** No targets specified and no makefile found. Stop.
>>
>> When I manage the script and remove everything before the Etisnoop
>> part it runs. But everything is installed in
>> different maps in the /home directory. For example: /home/ODR-DabMod
>> in this map there is no executable odr-dabmux
>>
>> Thanks for your time.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Gerrit
>>
>>
>> Op vrijdag 23 september 2016 13:06:07 UTC schreef Tobias W.:
>>
>> Hello Gerrit,
>>
>> sorry for the delay in response, I first wanted to test on my
>> installation if I did explain everything correctly.
>> For me entering "odr-dabmod mod.ini" works fine.
>> In my home directory the odr-dabmod application is located under
>> ~/dab/ODR-DabMod/. Can you please check if the file attributes are
>> correctly set, i.e. if the application has the executable flag?
>> If that's not the issue, I would need to hand over to someone else
>> here with more knowledge of the software.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Tobias
>>
>> Am 21.09.2016 um 21:55 schrieb Gerrit Kramer

>> <gkr...@expert.guidion.net <javascript:>>:

>>
>>> Dear Tobias,
>>>
>>> thanks for this easy way to install odr tools.
>>>
>>> I used:
>>> Gnuradio 3.7.10.1
>>> Usb installer 1.9.6.6
>>> Your debian.sh script and placed mod.ini
>>>
>>> No errors. I see the Dab folder. But when I give commands like
>>> odr-dabmod mod.ini there is no odr-dabmod
>>> When I want to use odr-dabmux to generate eti files (using manual

>>> opendigitalradio.org <http://opendigitalradio.org>) there is no

>>> odr-dabmux.
>>> I searched every where on my Gnuradio install.
>>>
>>> Did I do something wrong.....
>>>
>>> Thanks for your help.
>>>
>>> A Linux newbie
>>>
>>> Gerrit Kramer
>>>
>>>
>>> Op dinsdag 4 augustus 2015 14:56:24 UTC+2 schreef Tobias W.:
>>>
>>> Some time ago I was looking for a quick howto which allowed
>>> me to give my colleagues an instant feeling of success with
>>> the ODR mmbTools. Unfortunately there wasn't any.
>>> AlthoughMatthias' documentation

>>> <http://www.opendigitalradio.org/releases/mmbtools.pdf> is

>>> already very good, it requires understanding of Linux and how
>>> to install all the GNU Radio tools (usually some dependencies
>>> won't install right away and you need to solve some errors).
>>> In the end I managed to get o a qick installation procedure.
>>> Thanks to Matthias' encouragement, I am here to share.
>>>
>>> My initial goals:
>>>

>>> * Install a Ubuntu Live System to a USB drive (containing

>>> ODR mmbTools and other required software) from a Windows PC

>>> * ansmit an existing ETI file with a USRP B100 (WBX

>>> board)The most convenient way for me was to use the

>>> officialGNU Radio Live SDR Environment (Ubuntu based)
>>> <https://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/GNURadioLiveDVD>,

>>> as it already contains a full GNU Radio installation. I
>>> used version2015-0623

>>> <http://s3-dist.gnuradio.org/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-amd64-gnuradio-3.7.8git-snapshot-2015-0623.iso>,

>>> but in the meantime 2015-0726

>>> <http://s3-dist.gnuradio.org/ubuntu-14.04.2-desktop-amd64-gnuradio-3.7.8git-snapshot-2015-0726.iso>

>>> is available. Download the ISO image of your preference.
>>>
>>> I wanted to be able to keep changes while running Linux from
>>> the USB drive, so casper was also a requirement. An easy way
>>> to achieve this is to use the Universal USB Installer

>>> <http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/>

>>> to install the GNU Radio Ubuntu Image.
>>>
>>>

>>> *Installing the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment to a USB drive*
>>>
>>> * Download the GNU Radio Live SDR Environment ISO image
>>> <https://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/GNURadioLiveDVD>
>>> * Make sure your USB drive is connected to your machine
>>> * Start the Universal USB Installer
>>> <http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/>
>>> executable
>>> * For Step 1, select "Ubuntu"
>>> * Select the ISO image in Step 2 with the Browse button
>>> * In Step 3, select your USB drive letter
>>> * With Step 4, make sure to enable persistency by selecting

>>> a file size for storage

>>> * Click Create
>>>
>>> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w0C98ncXwY8/VcCzUtVhsaI/AAAAAAAAAN0/oXHM6DVFGRc/s1600/ubuntu_gr_install_w_uui.png>
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>> After the procedure finishes, you can reboot your machine
>>> from the USB drive.
>>>
>>>

>>> *Installing the ODR mmbTools*

>>>
>>> I tried to use Matthias' install script for Debian

>>> <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mpbraendli/mmbtools-aux/master/installer/debian.sh>,

>>> which unfortunately did not work right out of the box. Please
>>> use my modified version instead (debian.sh, attached to this
>>> post). I did comment out the section in the install script
>>> for checking the Debian version, installation of GNU Radio
>>> and UHD and I added "--force-yes" to some apt commands.
>>>

>>> * Make sure your internet conncetion works
>>> * Download the modified debian.sh install script from this post
>>> * On your console, start the install script with "./debian.sh"

>>>
>>> For me the installation worked without giving any errors. I
>>> copied the attached mod.ini as well as an ETI file to the
>>> ~/dab/ folder. After adding the correct .eti file name to
>>> mod.ini, I could start transmitting DAB with entering
>>> "odr-dabmod mod.ini".
>>>
>>>
>>> Currently that's all what I have tested. I have not (yet)
>>> verified that transmissing an own generated DAB ensemble
>>> works. Anyone who can confirm?
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Tobias
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic
>>> in the Google Groups "mmbtools" group.
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>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/crc-mmbtools/qfu2MQwYtzo/unsubscribe

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>>> to crc-mmbtools...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>.

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>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>.

>>
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>
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[Federico Allegretti]

nice work!
i'll test it soon, because is quite the same i had in mind using some kind of cheap ssd drives to make the system rugged.

the wonderfull feature of linux system to run quite the same on really different enviroments (swap the HD from a pc and set in another and turn it on :D) help this a lot :D

[Carmine Abbate]

Dear all. I start to try EASYDAB2 modulator. It is possible to have an installation file on Raspberry or Ubuntu for generate DABmux starting from analog audio source?

Or, in alternative, there is a website how I can buy installation file or devices? 

Thank you