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03 Configuration

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Manoel edited this page Feb 14, 2026 · 20 revisions

All aspects of tetra-bluestation are configured through a single toml file. A template is present in the example_config folder.

Make a working copy:

cp example_config/config.toml config.toml

Open the config file with your favorite file editor:

nano config.toml

The configuration is split in multiple sections:

  • Global configuration
  • [phy_io]: PHY Layer configuration
  • [net_info]: Network Information
  • [cell_info]: Cell Information

Configuration Reminder

  • Configuration files are TOML and therefore case-sensitive ("Bs" ≠ "bs").
  • All frequencies are expressed in Hz, never in MHz.
  • RF parameters in [phy_io] must be consistent with those derived from [cell_info].
  • Only one SDR device configuration (iocfg_*) may be active at a time.
  • Commented lines are not parsed and have no effect.
  • Using incorrect MCC/MNC values or frequencies may violate local regulations.
  • Debug logging and RF sample capture generate very large files and additional system load.
  • When unsure, consult the relevant ETSI TS 100 392 specifications before changing values.

Global Configuration

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
config_version "0.5"(version dependent) String (version identifier) Must match the configuration format expected by the running BlueStation version.
stack_mode "Bs" String: "Bs", "Ms", "Mon" Base Station, Mobile Station, or Monitor mode (the latter two aren't available yet). "Bs" required for cell operation.
debug_log disabled String (File path) Enables verbose logging; large files and additional system load.

[phy_io]: PHY Layer configuration

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
backend "SoapySdr" String: "SoapySdr" RF backend abstraction layer. Other backends may be added in the future.
dl_tx_file disabled String: File path Dumps generated downlink baseband samples to file (debug only).
ul_rx_file disabled String: File path Dumps received uplink baseband samples to file (debug only).

[phy_io.soapysdr]: SoapySDR Core Settings

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
tx_freq 438025000 Integer (Hz) Downlink transmit frequency. Must match cell_info parameters listed below.
rx_freq 433025000 Integer (Hz) Uplink receive frequency. Must match duplex spacing and band rules.
ppm_err 0.0 Float Frequency correction for SDR oscillator error.

[phy_io.soapysdr.iocfg_*]: Device-specific information

Uncomment the SDR you're using, comment out any others. Only one iocfg_* subsection should be enabled at a time.

The following table only lists generic settings, that will vary by device.

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
rx_ant "TX/RX" Device-specific strings Selects RX antenna port.
tx_ant "TX/RX" Device-specific strings Selects TX antenna port.
rx_gain_* 18.0 – 50.0 Float (dB) RX gain stages depend on hardware.
tx_gain_* 3.0 – 35.0 Float (dB) TX gain stages depend on hardware.

[net_info]: Network Information

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
mcc 204 Integer (3 digits) Mobile Country Code. Must correspond to actual country.
mnc 1337 Integer (2–3 digits) Mobile Network Code. Use only assigned or permitted values.

[cell_info]: Cell Information

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
freq_band 4 1–5 (band-dependent) 4 corresponds to the 400 MHz TETRA band.
main_carrier 1521 Integer Carrier index; multiplied by 25 kHz to derive frequency.
duplex_spacing 4 Band-dependent integer 4 = 5 MHz spacing in 400 MHz band.
custom_duplex_spacing disabled Integer (Hz) Non-standard duplex spacing; requires radio support.
freq_offset 0 0, ±6250, 12500 Frequency offset in Hz per ETSI specification.
reverse_operation false true, false Controls UL/DL ordering.
location_area 2 Integer Location Area Identifier (LAI).
colour_code 1 0–3 Distinguishes adjacent cells on same frequency.

Optional Cell Parameters (Broadcast & Mobility)

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
neighbor_cell_broadcast 0 Integer Controls neighbor cell information broadcast.
cell_load_ca 0 Integer Advertised cell load (channel allocation).
late_entry_supported false true, false Allows joining ongoing group calls.
subscriber_class 0xFFFF Bitmask Defines allowed MS classes.
registration true true, false Enables registration support.
deregistration true true, false Enables deregistration support.
priority_cell false true, false Marks cell as priority for reselection.
migration false true, false Enables migration features (WIP).
system_wide_services true true, false If false, mobiles may enter fallback mode.
voice_service true true, false Voice service flag; may be required for MS compatibility.
circuit_mode_data_service false true, false Circuit Mode Data support (not implemented).
sndcp_service false true, false Packet data service (not implemented).
aie_service false true, false Air Interface Encryption support flag.
advanced_link false true, false Advanced link features (WIP).
system_code 0 0–15 Identifies TETRA system version.
sharing_mode 0 Integer Main control channel sharing mode.
ts_reserved_frames 0 Integer Reserved frames for timeslot allocation.
u_plane_dtx false true, false Enables user-plane DTX.
frame_18_ext false true, false Frame 18 extension support.

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