Debian Package Repository for GNU Radio
GNU Radio now has experimental binary and source packages in the Debian repository format. These allow you to install GNU Radio on to a Debian (not yet implemented) or Ubuntu Linux distribution without having to perform a source compilation of the tree. In addition, the system package manager is able to identify which runtime dependencies are needed such that these get installed automatically when the GNU Radio packages are installed.
Packages Available
Currently, binary and source packages are available for the Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) Linux distribution, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. These packages may work with other Debian derivative operating systems; however, this is untested.
The packages are unofficial and are not yet being uploaded to the Debian or Ubuntu official archives. The repository is hosted at the gnuradio.org site.
Preparing Your Sytem for Binary Installation
If you have already installed GNU Radio on your system via a source compile, you will need to uninstall it prior to installing the binary packages. The easiest way to do this is to change directory into the top level directory of your source tree, then run 'make uninstall.':
$ sudo make uninstall
This is only possible if you have not cleaned out your source tree since the original 'make install' was executed. Otherwise, you will have to manually go into $prefix/* and remove all traces of gnuradio (and USRP if you installed that).
To configure your package manager to reference the GNU Radio packages, you will either need to manually edit the /etc/apt/sources.list file, or use your favorite package manager to add the below lines into the file.
Ubuntu Hardy (8.04) Distribution
To track the stable release branch, insert the following:
deb http://gnuradio.org/ubuntu stable main contrib deb-src http://gnuradio.org/ubuntu stable main
To track the unstable development branch, insert the following:
deb http://gnuradio.org/ubuntu unstable main contrib deb-src http://gnuradio.org/ubuntu unstable main
Debian Etch Distribution
(Pending. Will look very similar to Ubuntu but with 'debian' instead of 'ubuntu' in the URL.)
Updating the Package List
Once the sources.list file contains the appropriate lines, you must update the package manager's knowledge of the available packages. From the command-line, you would enter:
$ sudo apt-get update
This may also be done in an application dependent way using dselect, aptitude, or Synaptic.
Selecting Packages
The packages themselves contain the necessary dependency information that will "pull in" anything needed by the packages you select, including other GNU Radio packages. Several "virtual" packages have been created to ease this process.
To install all of the GNU Radio and USRP documentation, libraries, examples, and utilities, enter:
$ sudo apt-get install gnuradio usrp
If you are developing your own custom C++-based signal processing blocks for GNU Radio, you must also install the development header files:
$ sudo apt-get install gnuradio-dev python-dev
There are several additional GNU Radio applications available to be installed; you may install these individually as desired.
Configuring the USRP Hardware
The installation of the USRP libraries will cause the group usrp to be added to the system. In order for a regular user to have access to the hardware device, you must add that username to the usrp group:
$ sudo addgroup <USERNAME> usrp
In order for this to become effective, you will need to restart the operating system, and possibly power cycle the USRP hardware.
