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There is a osmocom Source and a rtl-sdr source block available in GNU Radio Companion. They seem to have the same settings. Is there a difference between them? Is one of them more up to date?

Amin Shah Gilani
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Welcor
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2 Answers2

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Is there a difference between them? Is one of them more up to date?

No, they are the same and here is the proof. 

--- /usr/share/gnuradio/grc/blocks/osmosdr_source.xml   2019-04-25 18:14:38.000000000 +0300
+++ /usr/share/gnuradio/grc/blocks/rtlsdr_source.xml    2019-04-25 18:14:38.000000000 +0300
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?xml version="1.0"?>
 <block>
-  <name>osmocom Source</name>
-  <key>osmosdr_source</key>
+  <name>RTL-SDR Source</name>
+  <key>rtlsdr_source</key>
   <category>Sources</category>
   <throttle>1</throttle>
   <import>import osmosdr</import>
Vasil Velichkov
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The RTL-SDR source block is effectively an Osmocom source block that has been tailored specifically for use with the RTL2832U TV tuner, also known as the "cheap software defined radio". The RTL2832U has coined this name as they can be purchased for roughly $20 USD and works fantastically despite a few limitations from cheap hardware. From what I gather, the Osmocom source block can be used with a variety of different SDR hardware, whereas the RTL-SDR source block should only be used with the RTL2832U.

Note: If you are using the RTL2832U, a custom device driver has to be loaded on prior to use with GNURadio, and can be found here.

Campbell McDiarmid
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  • Both have the same documentation (when double clicking on them). Both work with my RTL-SDR stick. But I am still confused that there are 2 of them. The Documentation of BOTH starts with "The osmocom source block: While primarily being developed for the OsmoSDR hardware, this block as well supports: [...]" and the rest is the same as well – Welcor May 14 '18 at 11:20