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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

TL;DR: for proper operation, you must change the following values from default:

  • tx_freq : match your desired Tx frequency
  • rx_freq : match your desired Rx frequency
  • Uncomment the relevant SDR platform you're using ([phy_io.soapysdr.iocfg_*]). Leave the default values for less headache. Comment out the ones you aren't using.
  • Replace mcc and mnc with your network's values (examples: TETRAPACK uses MCC 901, MNC 9999. Tmo.services uses MCC 901, MNC 9998).
  • main_carrier : change value to match the Tx frequency downlink (see calculation procedure in the notes below). Edit freq_offset if needed.
  • duplex_spacing : if you want to use a custom duplex spacing, change this value to 7, uncomment custom_duplex_spacing and set the offset there.

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. Use only assigned or permitted values.
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; see note below for calculation.
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.

Main carrier (N) calculation

main_carrier = (DL_frequency_Hz - base_frequency_Hz - freq_offset_Hz) / 25_000

Where (per ETSI TS 100 392-15):

  • base_frequency_Hz is the reference/base frequency for the selected band
  • freq_offset_Hz is one of: -6250, 0, +6250, +12500

Example (freq_band = 4, base/reference = 400 MHz)

  • base_frequency_Hz = 400 000 000
  • DL_frequency_Hz = 438 025 000
  • freq_offset_Hz = 0

(438 025 000 - 400 000 000 - 0) / 25 000 = 1521 So: main_carrier = 1521

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.

[brew]: Brew (TETRA Homebrew Protocol) — Experimental

⚠️ Important

This section originates from a fork and is not officially supported by the main TETRA BlueStation project. The implementation is experimental, incomplete, and subject to rapid change without notice. Configuration keys, behavior, and protocol compatibility may change at any time.

Use at your own risk.

Parameter Default / Example Possible Values Notes
enabled false true, false Enables Brew protocol support when set to true.
host System-dependent String: Hostname or IP address Brew server address.
port 3003 Integer (TCP port) Brew server port.
tls true true, false TLS is required (wss:// / https://).
user_agent "TETRAHS/012345" String Required. Format must be TETRAHS/XXXXXX.
username none String HTTP Digest auth username (required when enabled). For TPC: DMRID (plus optional SSID)
password none String HTTP Digest auth password (required when enabled). For TPC: hotspot password
issi none Integer ISSI used to register with the server. For TPC: DMRID
groups [9, 91] Array of integers Group IDs (GSSIs) to affiliate with; talkgroups this BTS connect to through Brew.
reconnect_delay_secs 15 Integer (seconds) Delay before reconnect attempts after disconnect.

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