Software Options

NI provides two software options for programming the USRP RIO device: the NI-USRP API and the USRP RIO instrument design library (IDL).

Table 1. USRP RIO Software Options
Software Option Description Use Case Palette Location
NI-USRP API

Provides an API for interacting with your USRP RIO device.

Provides the standard, CPU-based host operation needed for most SDR applications.

Create custom measurements or applications that require in-phase/quadrature modulation (I/Q) data.

Use with the Modulation Toolkit to develop SDR transmitters and receivers.

Use with the Modulation Toolkit to create and generate modulated signals.

LabVIEW Communications System Design Suite: Diagram » Hardware Interfaces » NI-USRP

LabVIEW: Functions » Instrument I/O » Instrument Drivers » NI-USRP

USRP RIO IDL

Allows you to interface with the FPGA of your USRP RIO device for advanced programming and digital signal processing (DSP).

Uses the USRP RIO Sample Projects, which allow you to take common measurements with your device. USRP RIO Sample Projects are included in the installation.

Use with the LabVIEW FPGA Module to customize the behavior of the device FPGA to create application-specific instrument designs.

LabVIEW Communications System Design Suite: Diagram » Hardware Interfaces » USRP RIO

LabVIEW: Functions » Instrument I/O » Instrument Drivers » USRP RIO

Note You cannot use the USRP RIO IDLs with the NI-USRP API.