03 Configuration

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
• 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.

This tool by BU2HB will help in preparing a working config file

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	"0.6"(version dependent)	String (version identifier)	Must match the configuration format expected by the running BlueStation version. This version number is not Bluestation's but the configuration files'
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 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.

Custom device selection

The optional device field may be used to override which device is used. If not specified, the first supported device found is selected automatically. You may need to specify this if you have multiple supported device connected, or if your device cannot be automatically detected by enumeration.

For example, to use a Pluto+ with a given IP address:

device = "driver=plutosdr,uri=ip:192.168.42.42"

To select a LimeSDR with a given serial number (check with SoapySDRUtil --find):

device = "driver=lime,serial=123456789"

Device-specific configuration

If you want to change antenna selection or gain settings, device-specific fields must be added. The names and valid ranges of those fields can be retrieved by using SoapySDRUtil --probe with the SDR connected. Supported devices and their valid settings are listed below for convenience.

LimeSDR (+ Mini, Mini V2)

Parameter	Example	Possible Values	Notes
rx_antenna	"LNAL"	"LNAL", "LNAH", "LNAW"	RX antenna port. Selection depends on the target frequency band.
rx_antenna LimeSDR Mini V1/V2	"LNAW"	"LNAW", "LNAH"	RX antenna port. Selection depends on the target frequency band.
tx_antenna	"BAND1"	"BAND1", "BAND2"	TX antenna port.
rx_gain_lna	18.0	Float (dB)	RX LNA gain stage.
rx_gain_tia	6.0	Float (dB)	RX TIA gain stage.
rx_gain_pga	10.0	Float (dB)	RX PGA gain stage.
tx_gain_pad	22.0	Float (dB)	TX PAD gain stage.
tx_gain_iamp	3.0	Float (dB)	TX IAMP gain stage.

SXceiver

Parameter	Example	Possible Values	Notes
rx_antenna	"RX"	"RX"	RX antenna port.
tx_antenna	"TX"	"TX"	TX antenna port.
rx_gain_lna	42.0	Float (dB)	RX LNA gain stage.
rx_gain_pga	16.0	Float (dB)	RX PGA gain stage.
tx_gain_dac	9.0	Float (dB)	TX DAC gain stage.
tx_gain_mixer	30.0	Float (dB)	TX mixer gain stage.

Ettus USRP B200 / B210

Parameter	Example	Possible Values	Notes
rx_antenna	"TX/RX"	"TX/RX", "RX2"	RX antenna port.
tx_antenna	"TX/RX"	"TX/RX"	TX antenna port.
rx_gain_pga	50.0	Float (dB)	RX PGA gain stage.
tx_gain_pga	35.0	Float (dB)	TX PGA gain stage.

Adalm Pluto / Pluto+

Parameter	Example	Possible Values	Notes
rx_antenna	"A_BALANCED"	"A_BALANCED", "A_N", "A_P"	RX antenna port. "A_BALANCED" recommended.
tx_antenna	"A"	"A"	TX antenna port.
rx_gain_pga	20.0	Float (dB)	RX PGA gain stage.
tx_gain_pga	89.0	Float (dB)	TX PGA gain stage.

Firmware and driver requirements

The stock PlutoSDR firmware and SoapySDR driver do not support hardware timestamping, which is required by TETRA-bluestation. Before using this platform, follow the PlutoSDR setup procedure in the "Dependencies and Building" section.

Please note that most original PlutoSDRs have a significant frequency error and either require a calibration (frequency error correction via the ppm_err parameter) or a TCXO mod.

[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

This tool by BU2HB will help in calculating frequency values

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.
timezone	disabled	String (IANA tz name)	When set, the BS broadcasts UTC time and local time offset once per hyperframe (~61s), allowing MSs to synchronize their clocks. DST is handled automatically. Example: "Europe/Amsterdam".
local_ssi_ranges	0, 91	List of ranges	SSI ranges kept local to the cell. Overrides brew routing; matching incoming brew traffic is dropped. End value is exclusive.

brew: Brew (TETRA Homebrew Protocol)

Parameter	Default / Example	Possible Values	Notes
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://).
username	none	Integer	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
reconnect_delay_secs	15	Integer (seconds)	Delay before reconnect attempts after disconnect.
jitter_initial_latency_frames	0	Integer	Adds fixed startup latency (in frames) for inbound Brew jitter buffering. Adaptive buffering remains enabled.
whitelisted_ssis	[91]	List of SSIs	Limits Brew transmission to listed SSIs only. If unset, all non-local SSIs are allowed over Brew.
feature_sds_enabled	true	true, false	Enable SDS forwarding between local and Brew clients.