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01 Requirements

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github-actions[bot] edited this page Mar 19, 2026 · 11 revisions

Minimum Required Equipment

Computer / Host System

A “good enough” computer is one that can reliably handle real-time DSP, scheduling, and I/O without excessive latency.

As a reference point:

  • A Raspberry Pi 4 (2 GB) has been shown to run tetra-bluestation reliably in typical test setups. Raspberry Pi 3, Pi Zero and Pi Zero 2 have shown to be unstable in quite a few occurences.
  • Any modern x86_64 system (laptop, desktop, or small server) with comparable or better performance should be sufficient.

Minimum practical requirements:

  • CPU:
    • Quad-core ARMv8 or x86_64 CPU
    • Comparable or better than Raspberry Pi 4
  • RAM:
    • 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
  • Storage:
    • SSD or fast SD card (slow storage can cause startup or logging issues)
  • USB:
    • Stable USB 2.0/3.0 connectivity for SDR hardware.

Real-time scheduling and CPU frequency scaling may significantly affect performance. Systems with aggressive power saving features should be configured accordingly. Plan a Serial console or remote access (SSH) for headless operation.

Performance will also be affected if logging is enabled.

Operating System

The documentation and examples assume a Debian-based system layout, package names, and tooling.

SDR Hardware list

Hardware Supported Notes
LimeSDR / LimeSDR Mini ✅ Full-duplex operation with adequate timestamping support; commonly used for prototyping and testing.
USRP ✅ Well-supported hardware family with robust timing and synchronization features.
LibreSDR B205/B210 ⚠️ Supported. Will require a custom bitstream. RF performance isn't guaranteed.
SxCeiver ✅ Supported via the SoapySX driver.
PlutoSDR / Pluto+ ✅ Supported via a timestamped firmware mod. See "Dependencies and Building" section.
LibreSDR ZynqSDR / OpenSourceSDRLab 7010/7020 ⚠️ Supported if available timestamped firmware.
HackRF ❌ Half-duplex design and timing limitations make it unsuitable for base-station use.
BladeRF ⚠️ Expected to be compatible from a hardware perspective, but not implemented yet. Proof-of-concept here
uSDR ⚠️ Expected to be compatible from a hardware perspective, but not implemented yet.

Recommended accessories

Having a way to check the transmitted RF signal is vital. A spectrum analyzer is a good thing, but an RTL-SDR will actually give you more information. Recommended software:

Licensing and Regulatory Compliance

Operating a TETRA base station involves radio transmission, and therefore falls under national and international telecommunications regulations. Users are solely responsible for ensuring that their use of tetra-bluestation complies with all applicable laws and licensing requirements.

General Responsibilities

  • Ensure you are legally permitted to transmit on the selected frequencies.
  • Use only power levels, bandwidths, and emission types allowed by your license.
  • Comply with national spectrum regulations and ITU region allocations.
  • Cease transmission immediately if harmful interference is observed or reported.

This software is provided for research, experimentation, and educational use. It does not grant any right to transmit on licensed or protected spectrum.

Amateur (HAM) Radio Use

For licensed radio amateurs:

  • Operate only within amateur radio bands permitted in your jurisdiction.
  • Verify that the chosen frequency is not already in use by:
    • Repeaters
    • Beacons
    • Other digital or analog services
  • Avoid continuous or unattended transmission unless explicitly allowed by local regulations.
  • Ensure that your transmissions do not cause interference to other amateur services.
  • Always verify local rules before transmitting.

Experimental and Research Use

For security research and protocol experimentation:

  • Prefer shielded environments, dummy loads, or attenuated setups.
  • Use conducted RF connections or RF enclosures whenever possible.
  • Avoid over-the-air transmission unless explicitly licensed or authorized.
  • Be aware that decoding, impersonation, or simulation of real networks may be regulated or restricted.

Commercial and Public Safety Spectrum

TETRA is widely used in commercial, government, and public safety networks.

  • Never transmit on frequencies allocated to operational TETRA networks without explicit authorization.
  • Unauthorized transmission on these bands may disrupt critical services and can result in severe legal consequences.

Disclaimer

The authors and contributors of tetra-bluestation assume no responsibility for improper or unlawful use of this software. All transmissions are performed at the user’s own risk and responsibility.

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