Getting Started with the LimeNET-Micro

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Basic setup

To get LimeNET-Micro board up and running:

  • Select how the board will be powered by placing a jumper on J27 header;
  • Connect mouse and keyboard to J10 USB connectors;
  • Connect monitor cable to J19 HDMI connector;
  • Insert CM3 module into J13 socket (or CM3(L) module into J13 and uSD card into J16 slot);
  • Flash eMMC or uSD card;
  • Install LimeSuite

Powering the board

LimeNET-Micro board can be powered in three ways:

  • Power over Ethernet – using RJ45 connector and power sourcing equipment (PSE) such as PoE capable network switch or PoE injector. LimeNET-Micro board works with PSE supplying power in “Mode A/Endspan” as well in “Mode B/Midspan” modes;
  • DC connector - 5V power source connected to J28 power jack should be capable to provide 2A-3A current;
  • microUSB port - 5V power source connected to J15 connector should be capable to provide 2A-3A current;


Power source can be selected fitting jumper in one of the three positions on J27 header:

  • A (pins 5-6) – 5V micro USB;
  • B (pins 3-4) – 5V external DC;
  • C (pins 1-2) – Power over Ethernet;

Flashing eMMC or uSD card

To flash eMMC or uSD card with latest Raspbian image please follow these steps:

  1. Download Raspbian image file by following this [link] or [link]
  2. Choose how the board will be powered by mounting a jumper on J27 header.
  3. Mount “USB boot”(J14) and unmount "EXT USB"(J18) jumpers.
  4. Insert CM3 module into J13 socket (or CM3(L) module into J13 and uSD card into J16 slot).
  5. Flash Raspbian image by following this guide [link].
  6. Remove “USB boot”(J14) jumper and reapply power. LimeNET-Micro should now boot to newly installed Raspbian image.

Installing Lime Suite

Installing from Osmocom repository

On Raspbian Stretch distribution(as of 2019/07/05 there are no packages for Raspbian Buster) you can install LimeSuite from Osmocom repository.

Open a terminal session, and type the following commands to add the repository and refresh the list of available packages: 

sudo su
wget http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/latest/Raspbian_9.0/Release.key 
apt-key add Release.key
rm Release.key
echo "deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/latest/Raspbian_9.0/ ./" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/osmocom-latest.list
apt-get update
exit

To install Lime Suite and its dependencies, type the following command: 

sudo apt install limesuite

After installing reboot your device to apply udev rules.

Installing from PPA or building from source

LimeSuite can be installed by following the instructions on Installing Lime Suite on Linux

Updating the Firmware and Gateware

The code running on the LimeSDR itself - known as "firmware" and "gateware" - needs to be kept up-to-date. Read LimeSDR Firmware Management to find out how to update these, and how to recover them if anything ever goes wrong.

Further reading

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