RTL-SDR Support from Communications Toolbox
Design and prototype software-defined radio (SDR) systems using RTL-SDR with MATLAB and Simulink
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Check the System Requirements
To install a hardware support package, you must have a supported product release, along with the required operating system and base product.
View the hardware support package system requirements table and confirm you have:
- A supported release
- A supported operating system
- The required base products
If you do not have a supported release or the required base products, you can get started with a free trial, or you can purchase products.
Continue with the Installation
After confirming you have the system requirements, proceed with either installation option listed below.
Option 1: Using the Toolstrip
Launch the Support Package Installer from your version of MATLAB and navigate to the correct support package.
Option 2: "Get Support Package" Button (.mlpkginstall file*)
Clicking the Get Support Package button provides the support package install file:
([filename].mlpkginstall)
There are several ways to initiate the Support Package Installer from these files:
- Open the
.mlpkginstallfile directly from your Internet browser. - Download and save the file (the default option for some Internet browsers), and open it directly from your Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system.
- Open the
.mlpkginstallfile directly from within MATLAB by navigating the Current Folder to the location of the downloaded file and double clicking it. That will initiate the installation for the MATLAB release that you have open.
The primary difference between using the .mlpkginstall file (option 2) rather than the toolstrip (option 1) to initiate support package installation is that the file allows the user to avoid the support package selection screen on the installer.
*These file types were introduced in MATLAB R2013a.
Users without an Internet connection can install hardware support packages by following the download instructions.
Capabilities and Features
With Communications Toolbox Support Package for RTL-SDR Radio, you can use MATLAB and Simulink to design and prototype systems that process real time wireless signals. For example, you can receive and process wireless signals such as FM radio, airplane surveillance signals (ADS-B), and signals from smart meters (water or energy metering devices). You can also deploy your system on a low cost, single-board computer, such as Raspberry Pi, that has an RTL-SDR attached to it.
Support highlights include:
- RTL-SDR radio as an I/O peripheral to receive streaming RF signals
- Ability to design standalone SDR applications with an RTL-SDR connected to Raspberry Pi hardware using Raspberry Pi Support Package for Simulink
- Configurable center frequency in the range of 22 MHz to 2.2 GHz (based on the tuner)
- Configurable sampling rate in the range of 225-300 kHz and 900 – 2,560 kHz
About RTL-SDR
RTL-SDR is a popular, low cost hardware that can receive wireless signals. The RTL-SDR dongle features the Realtek RTL2832U chip, which provides I-Q samples through the USB interface. You can receive and demodulate various wireless signals across a broad frequency range.
Get MATLAB and Simulink Products
Wireless engineers, students, and hobbyists can receive and decode real-world radio signals using Communications Toolbox and RTL-SDR hardware.
Learn about the pricing and licensing options for buying Communications Toolbox and its required products.
Supported Hardware
This package supports NooElec NESDR radios and other RTL-SDR USB radios featuring RTL2832U chips as listed here. Learn more about receiving and analyzing wireless signals using RTL-SDR and MATLAB by downloading a free ebook.
Platform and Release Support
See the hardware support package system requirements table for current and prior version, release, and platform availability.
View enhancements and bug fixes in release notes.
Download course materials for an Introductory Communication Systems Course using SDR.
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