Why Data From USRP-2954 Came Out as 16 Bits in LabVIEW

Updated Apr 28, 2025

Reported In

Hardware

  • USRP-2954

Software

  • LabVIEW

Issue Details

Why does the ADC of the USRP-2954 show 16 bits in LabVIEW when it is actually 14 bits?

Solution

This is because there is a digital signal processing (DSP) chain in front of the ADC RX resolution. During various digital/mathematical operations, the bit width is expanded.

 

The ADC still provides output at 14-bit resolution, but LabVIEW receives it as 16 bits. This bit expansion occurs during digital/mathematical operations. The NI DSP library uses <+/-, 18,1>, meaning the total fixed-point (FXP) word is 18 bits, and the data is reported to the host as 16 bits.