Installing USRP-2900/2901 Devices

Install LabVIEW Communications System Design Software and NI-USRP before you install the hardware.

Note The USRP-2900/2901 device connects to a host computer using a standard USB connector and USB cable.
  1. Power on the computer.
  2. Attach the antenna or cable to the front panel terminals of the USRP-2900/2901 device as needed for your application.
  3. Use the USB cable to connect the USRP device to the computer.
    Note You can connect the USRP device to either a USB 3.0 or a USB 2.0 port. If you use a USB 2.0 port, the maximum achievable sample rate may be reduced to 8 MS/s or less.
    Note NI recommends that you connect the device to an external power supply when you use USB 2.0.
  4. (Optional) Connect the AC/DC power supply to the PWR connector on the back panel of the USRP device, and plug the power supply into a wall outlet.
    Note NI recommends that you connect the device to an external power supply if you plan to use both channels of the USRP device. However, if you plan to use only one channel, bus power may be acceptable.

You can connect and synchronize multiple USRP-2900/2901 devices using an external Reference Clock distribution system such as the CDA-2990 Clock Distribution Device. However, USB performance varies when multiple devices stream through the same controller. Consider using a USRP RIO device if you need to build a high-channel count system.