Merge branch 'master' of ettus.sourcerepo.com:ettus/uhdpriv into usrp2p

46 files changed, 1028 insertions, 530 deletions

diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/apps/txrx_uhd.c b/firmware/microblaze/apps/txrx_uhd.c
index 9cf4c163f..1c6e0624f 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/apps/txrx_uhd.c
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/apps/txrx_uhd.c
@@ -172,6 +172,33 @@ void handle_udp_data_packet(
 #define OTW_GPIO_BANK_TO_NUM(bank) \
     (((bank) == USRP2_DIR_RX)? (GPIO_RX_BANK) : (GPIO_TX_BANK))
 
+//setup the output data
+static usrp2_ctrl_data_t ctrl_data_out;
+static struct socket_address i2c_src;
+static struct socket_address spi_src;
+
+static volatile bool i2c_done = false;
+void i2c_read_done_callback(void) {
+  //printf("I2C read done callback\n");
+  i2c_async_data_ready(ctrl_data_out.data.i2c_args.data);
+  i2c_done = true;
+  i2c_register_callback(0);
+}
+
+void i2c_write_done_callback(void) {
+  //printf("I2C write done callback\n");
+  i2c_done = true;
+  i2c_register_callback(0);
+}
+
+static volatile bool spi_done = false;
+static volatile uint32_t spi_readback_data;
+void get_spi_readback_data(void) {
+  ctrl_data_out.data.spi_args.data = spi_get_data();
+  spi_done = true;
+  spi_register_callback(0);
+}
+
 void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
     struct socket_address src, struct socket_address dst,
     unsigned char *payload, int payload_len
@@ -197,11 +224,9 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
     }
 
     //setup the output data
-    usrp2_ctrl_data_t ctrl_data_out = {
-        .proto_ver = USRP2_FW_COMPAT_NUM,
-        .id=USRP2_CTRL_ID_HUH_WHAT,
-        .seq=ctrl_data_in->seq
-    };
+    ctrl_data_out.proto_ver = USRP2_FW_COMPAT_NUM;
+    ctrl_data_out.id=USRP2_CTRL_ID_HUH_WHAT;
+    ctrl_data_out.seq=ctrl_data_in->seq;
 
     //handle the data based on the id
     switch(ctrl_data_in_id){
@@ -212,6 +237,7 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_WAZZUP_BRO:
         ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_WAZZUP_DUDE;
         memcpy(&ctrl_data_out.data.ip_addr, get_ip_addr(), sizeof(struct ip_addr));
+        send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
         break;
 
     /*******************************************************************
@@ -219,19 +245,21 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
      ******************************************************************/
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_TRANSACT_ME_SOME_SPI_BRO:{
             //transact
-            uint32_t result = spi_transact(
-                (ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.readback == 0)? SPI_TXONLY : SPI_TXRX,
+            bool success = spi_async_transact(
+                //(ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.readback == 0)? SPI_TXONLY : SPI_TXRX,
                 ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.dev,      //which device
                 ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.data,     //32 bit data
                 ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.num_bits, //length in bits
-                (ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.mosi_edge == USRP2_CLK_EDGE_RISE)? SPIF_PUSH_FALL : SPIF_PUSH_RISE |
-                (ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.miso_edge == USRP2_CLK_EDGE_RISE)? SPIF_LATCH_RISE : SPIF_LATCH_FALL
+                (ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.mosi_edge == USRP2_CLK_EDGE_RISE)? SPIF_PUSH_FALL : SPIF_PUSH_RISE | //flags
+                (ctrl_data_in->data.spi_args.miso_edge == USRP2_CLK_EDGE_RISE)? SPIF_LATCH_RISE : SPIF_LATCH_FALL,
+                get_spi_readback_data //callback
             );
 
             //load output
-            ctrl_data_out.data.spi_args.data = result;
             ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_OMG_TRANSACTED_SPI_DUDE;
+            spi_src = src;
         }
+//        send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
         break;
 
     /*******************************************************************
@@ -239,11 +267,13 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
      ******************************************************************/
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_DO_AN_I2C_READ_FOR_ME_BRO:{
             uint8_t num_bytes = ctrl_data_in->data.i2c_args.bytes;
-            i2c_read(
+            i2c_register_callback(i2c_read_done_callback);
+            i2c_async_read(
                 ctrl_data_in->data.i2c_args.addr,
-                ctrl_data_out.data.i2c_args.data,
                 num_bytes
             );
+            i2c_src = src;
+//            i2c_dst = dst;
             ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_HERES_THE_I2C_DATA_DUDE;
             ctrl_data_out.data.i2c_args.bytes = num_bytes;
         }
@@ -251,11 +281,14 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
 
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_WRITE_THESE_I2C_VALUES_BRO:{
             uint8_t num_bytes = ctrl_data_in->data.i2c_args.bytes;
-            i2c_write(
+            i2c_register_callback(i2c_read_done_callback);
+            i2c_async_write(
                 ctrl_data_in->data.i2c_args.addr,
                 ctrl_data_in->data.i2c_args.data,
                 num_bytes
             );
+            i2c_src = src;
+//            i2c_dst = dst;
             ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_COOL_IM_DONE_I2C_WRITE_DUDE;
             ctrl_data_out.data.i2c_args.bytes = num_bytes;
         }
@@ -287,6 +320,7 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
 
         }
         ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_OMG_POKED_REGISTER_SO_BAD_DUDE;
+        send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
         break;
 
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_PEEK_AT_THIS_REGISTER_FOR_ME_BRO:
@@ -309,6 +343,7 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
 
         }
         ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_WOAH_I_DEFINITELY_PEEKED_IT_DUDE;
+        send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
         break;
 
     case USRP2_CTRL_ID_SO_LIKE_CAN_YOU_READ_THIS_UART_BRO:{
@@ -335,9 +370,9 @@ void handle_udp_ctrl_packet(
 
     default:
         ctrl_data_out.id = USRP2_CTRL_ID_HUH_WHAT;
-
+        send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
     }
-    send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
+    
 }
 
 /*
@@ -503,6 +538,17 @@ main(void)
 
     buffer_irq_handler(0);
 
+    if(i2c_done) {
+      i2c_done = false;
+      send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, i2c_src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
+      //printf("Sending UDP packet from main loop for I2C...\n");
+    }
+
+    if(spi_done) {
+      spi_done = false;
+      send_udp_pkt(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT, spi_src, &ctrl_data_out, sizeof(ctrl_data_out));
+    }
+
     int pending = pic_regs->pending;		// poll for under or overrun
 
     if (pending & PIC_UNDERRUN_INT){
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/dbsm.c b/firmware/microblaze/lib/dbsm.c
index d495860fd..cee343eaa 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/dbsm.c
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/dbsm.c
@@ -160,12 +160,12 @@ dbsm_process_status(dbsm_t *sm, uint32_t status)
     putchar('E');
     // Most likely an ethernet Rx error.  We just restart the transfer.
     if (status & (BPS_ERROR(sm->buf0)))
-      //dbsm_error_helper(sm, sm->buf0);
-      dbsm_process_helper(sm, sm->buf0); //forward errors
+      dbsm_error_helper(sm, sm->buf0);
+      //dbsm_process_helper(sm, sm->buf0); //forward errors
 
     if (status & (BPS_ERROR(sm->buf0 ^ 1)))
-      //dbsm_error_helper(sm, sm->buf0 ^ 1);
-      dbsm_process_helper(sm, sm->buf0 ^ 1); //forward errors
+      dbsm_error_helper(sm, sm->buf0 ^ 1);
+      //dbsm_process_helper(sm, sm->buf0 ^ 1); //forward errors
   }
 
   if (status & BPS_DONE(sm->buf0))
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.c b/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.c
index 3f738733b..177341267 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.c
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.c
@@ -19,12 +19,15 @@
 #include "i2c.h"
 #include "memory_map.h"
 #include "stdint.h"
+#include <string.h>
+#include "pic.h"
+#include "nonstdio.h"
 
 #define MAX_WB_DIV 4	// maximum wishbone divisor (from 100 MHz MASTER_CLK)
 
 // prescaler divisor values for 100 kHz I2C [uses 5 * SCLK internally]
 
-#define PRESCALER(wb_div) (((MASTER_CLK_RATE/(wb_div)) / (5 * 100000)) - 1)
+#define PRESCALER(wb_div) (((MASTER_CLK_RATE/(wb_div)) / (5 * 400000)) - 1)
 
 static uint16_t prescaler_values[MAX_WB_DIV+1] = {
   0xffff,	// 0: can't happen
@@ -34,6 +37,18 @@ static uint16_t prescaler_values[MAX_WB_DIV+1] = {
   PRESCALER(4), // 4:  25 MHz
 };
 
+//asynchronous (interrupt-driven) i2c state variables
+volatile uint8_t i2c_buf[17]; //tx/rx data transfer buffer
+volatile uint8_t *volatile i2c_bufptr = i2c_buf; //ptr to current position
+volatile uint8_t i2c_len = 0; //length remaining in current transfer
+volatile i2c_state_t i2c_state = I2C_STATE_IDLE; //current I2C transfer state
+i2c_dir_t i2c_dir; //I2C transfer direction
+
+void  (*volatile i2c_callback)(void); //function pointer to i2c callback to be called when transaction is complete
+
+static void i2c_irq_handler(unsigned irq);
+inline void i2c_async_err(void);
+
 void
 i2c_init(void)
 {
@@ -47,9 +62,10 @@ i2c_init(void)
   i2c_regs->prescaler_lo = prescaler_values[wb_div] & 0xff;
   i2c_regs->prescaler_hi = (prescaler_values[wb_div] >> 8) & 0xff;
 
-  i2c_regs->ctrl = I2C_CTRL_EN;	// enable core
+  i2c_regs->ctrl = I2C_CTRL_EN; //| I2C_CTRL_IE;	// enable core
 
-  // FIXME interrupt driven?
+  // FIXME interrupt driven?  
+  pic_register_handler(IRQ_I2C, i2c_irq_handler);
 }
 
 static inline void
@@ -107,7 +123,7 @@ i2c_write(unsigned char i2c_addr, const unsigned char *buf, unsigned int len)
   i2c_regs->data = (i2c_addr << 1) | 0;	 // 7 bit address and write bit (0)
 
   // generate START and write addr (and maybe STOP)
-  i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR | I2C_CMD_START | (len == 0 ? I2C_CMD_STOP : 0);  
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR | I2C_CMD_START | (len == 0 ? I2C_CMD_STOP : 0);
   if (!wait_chk_ack())
     goto fail;
 
@@ -124,4 +140,163 @@ i2c_write(unsigned char i2c_addr, const unsigned char *buf, unsigned int len)
   return false;
 }
 
-  
+static void i2c_irq_handler(unsigned irq) {
+//i2c state machine.
+
+  //printf("I2C irq handler\n");
+  //first let's make sure nothing is f'ed up
+  //TODO: uncomment this error checking when we have some way to handle errors
+//  if(((i2c_regs->cmd_status & I2C_ST_RXACK) != 0) && i2c_dir == I2C_DIR_WRITE) { //we got a NACK and we didn't send it
+//    printf("\tNACK received\n");
+//    i2c_async_err();
+//    return;
+//  }// else printf("\tACK received, proceeding\n");
+
+  if(i2c_regs->cmd_status & I2C_ST_AL) { 
+    printf("\tArbitration lost!\n");
+    i2c_async_err();
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if(i2c_regs->cmd_status & I2C_ST_TIP) {
+    //printf("\tI2C still busy in interrupt\n");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  //now decide what to do
+  switch(i2c_state) {
+
+  case I2C_STATE_IDLE:
+    //this is an error. in idle state, we shouldn't be transferring data, and the fact that the IRQ fired is terrible bad.
+    printf("AAAAAHHHHH INTERRUPT IN THE IDLE STATE AAAHHHHHHHHH\n");
+    i2c_async_err();
+    break;
+
+  case I2C_STATE_CONTROL_BYTE_SENT: //here we've sent the control byte, and we're either clocking data in or out now, but we haven't received a byte yet.
+  case I2C_STATE_DATA:      //here we're sending/receiving data and if we're receiving there's data in the data reg
+
+    //if(i2c_state == I2C_STATE_DATA) printf("\tI2C in state DATA with dir=%d and len=%d\n", i2c_dir, i2c_len);
+    //else printf("\tI2C in state CONTROL_BYTE_SENT with dir=%d and len=%d\n", i2c_dir, i2c_len);
+
+    if(i2c_dir == I2C_DIR_READ) {
+      if(i2c_state == I2C_STATE_DATA) *(i2c_bufptr++) = i2c_regs->data;
+      //printf("\tRead %x\n", *(i2c_bufptr-1));
+      //set up another data byte
+      if(i2c_len > 1) //only one more byte to transfer
+        i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_RD;
+      else
+        i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_RD | I2C_CMD_NACK | I2C_CMD_STOP;
+    }
+    else if(i2c_dir == I2C_DIR_WRITE) {
+      //write a byte
+      //printf("\tWriting %x\n", *i2c_bufptr);
+      i2c_regs->data = *(i2c_bufptr++);
+      if(i2c_len > 1)
+        i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR;
+      else {
+        //printf("\tGenerating STOP\n");
+        i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR | I2C_CMD_STOP;
+      }
+    };
+    i2c_len--;
+    if(i2c_len == 0) i2c_state = I2C_STATE_LAST_BYTE;
+    else i2c_state = I2C_STATE_DATA; //takes care of the addr_sent->data transition
+    break;
+
+
+  case I2C_STATE_LAST_BYTE: //here we've already sent the last read request and the last data is waiting for us.
+    //printf("\tI2C in state LAST BYTE\n");
+
+    if(i2c_dir == I2C_DIR_READ) {
+      *(i2c_bufptr++) = i2c_regs->data;
+      //printf("\tRead %x\n", *(i2c_bufptr-1));
+      i2c_state = I2C_STATE_DATA_READY;
+    } else {
+      i2c_state = I2C_STATE_IDLE;
+    }
+    i2c_regs->ctrl &= ~I2C_CTRL_IE; //disable interrupts until next time
+
+    if(i2c_callback) {
+      i2c_callback(); //if we registered a callback, call it!
+    }
+
+    break;
+
+
+  default: //terrible things have happened.
+    break;
+  }
+
+}
+
+void i2c_register_callback(void (*volatile callback)(void)) {
+  i2c_callback = callback;
+}
+
+inline void i2c_async_err(void) {
+  i2c_state = I2C_STATE_IDLE;
+  i2c_regs->ctrl &= ~I2C_CTRL_IE;
+  printf("I2C error\n");
+//TODO: set an error flag instead of just dropping things on the floor
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_STOP;
+}
+
+bool i2c_async_read(uint8_t addr, unsigned int len) {
+  //printf("Starting async read\n");
+  if(i2c_state != I2C_STATE_IDLE) return false; //sorry mario but your i2c is in another castle
+  if(len == 0) return true; //just idiot-proofing
+  if(len > sizeof(i2c_buf)) return false;
+
+  //disable I2C interrupts and clear pending interrupts on the I2C device
+  i2c_regs->ctrl &= ~I2C_CTRL_IE;
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status |= I2C_CMD_IACK;
+
+  i2c_len = len;
+  i2c_dir = I2C_DIR_READ;
+  i2c_bufptr = i2c_buf;
+  //then set up the transfer by issuing the control byte
+  i2c_regs->ctrl |= I2C_CTRL_IE;
+  i2c_regs->data = (addr << 1) | 0x01; //7 bit addr and read bit
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR | I2C_CMD_START; //generate start & start writing addr
+  //update the state so the irq handler knows what's going on
+  i2c_state = I2C_STATE_CONTROL_BYTE_SENT;
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool i2c_async_write(uint8_t addr, const uint8_t *buf, unsigned int len) {
+  //printf("Starting async write\n");
+  if(i2c_state != I2C_STATE_IDLE) return false; //sorry mario but your i2c is in another castle
+  if(len > sizeof(i2c_buf)) return false;
+
+  //disable I2C interrupts and clear pending interrupts on the I2C device
+  i2c_regs->ctrl &= ~I2C_CTRL_IE;
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status |= I2C_CMD_IACK;
+
+  //copy the buffer into our own if writing
+  memcpy((void *)i2c_buf, buf, len);
+
+  i2c_len = len;
+  i2c_dir = I2C_DIR_WRITE;
+  i2c_bufptr = i2c_buf;
+  //then set up the transfer by issuing the control byte
+  i2c_regs->ctrl |= I2C_CTRL_IE;
+  i2c_regs->data = (addr << 1) | 0x00; //7 bit addr and read bit
+  i2c_regs->cmd_status = I2C_CMD_WR | I2C_CMD_START; //generate start & start writing addr
+  //update the state so the irq handler knows what's going on
+  i2c_state = I2C_STATE_CONTROL_BYTE_SENT;
+
+  return true;
+}
+
+//TODO: determine if it's better to read sequentially into the user's buffer, copy on transfer complete, or copy on request (shown below). probably best to copy on request.
+bool i2c_async_data_ready(void *buf) {
+  if(i2c_state == I2C_STATE_DATA_READY) {
+    i2c_state = I2C_STATE_IDLE;
+    memcpy(buf, (void *)i2c_buf, (i2c_bufptr - i2c_buf)); //TODO: not really comfortable with this
+    //printf("Copying %d bytes to user buffer\n", i2c_bufptr-i2c_buf);
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.h b/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.h
index ecb6aa0d2..77129e922 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.h
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/i2c.h
@@ -20,20 +20,38 @@
 #define INCLUDED_I2C_H
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
+#include "stdint.h"
+
+typedef enum { I2C_STATE_IDLE, 
+               I2C_STATE_CONTROL_BYTE_SENT, 
+               I2C_STATE_DATA, 
+               I2C_STATE_LAST_BYTE, 
+               I2C_STATE_DATA_READY, 
+               I2C_STATE_ERROR 
+             } i2c_state_t;
+
+typedef enum { I2C_DIR_WRITE=0, I2C_DIR_READ=1 } i2c_dir_t;
 
 void i2c_init(void);
 bool i2c_read (unsigned char i2c_addr, unsigned char *buf, unsigned int len);
 bool i2c_write(unsigned char i2c_addr, const unsigned char *buf, unsigned int len);
 
+bool i2c_async_read(uint8_t addr, unsigned int len);
+bool i2c_async_write(uint8_t addr, const uint8_t *buf, unsigned int len);
+bool i2c_async_data_ready(void *);
+//static void i2c_irq_handler(unsigned irq);
+void i2c_register_callback(void (*callback)(void));
 
 // Write 24LC024 / 24LC025 EEPROM on motherboard or daughterboard.
 // Which EEPROM is determined by i2c_addr.  See i2c_addr.h
 
 bool eeprom_write (int i2c_addr, int eeprom_offset, const void *buf, int len);
+bool eeprom_write_async (int i2c_addr, int eeprom_offset, const void *buf, int len, void (*callback)(void));
 
 // Read 24LC024 / 24LC025 EEPROM on motherboard or daughterboard.
 // Which EEPROM is determined by i2c_addr.  See i2c_addr.h
 
 bool eeprom_read (int i2c_addr, int eeprom_offset, void *buf, int len);
+bool eeprom_read_async(int i2c_addr, int eeprom_offset, void *buf, int len, void (*callback)(void));
 
 #endif /* INCLUDED_I2C_H */
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.c b/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.c
index bef808e57..2a41a1bfa 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.c
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.c
@@ -17,6 +17,12 @@
 
 #include "spi.h"
 #include "memory_map.h"
+#include "pic.h"
+#include "nonstdio.h"
+
+void (*volatile spi_callback)(void); //SPI callback when xfer complete.
+
+static void spi_irq_handler(unsigned irq);
 
 void
 spi_init(void) 
@@ -59,3 +65,44 @@ spi_transact(bool readback, int slave, uint32_t data, int length, uint32_t flags
   else
     return 0;
 }
+
+void spi_register_callback(void (*volatile callback)(void)) {
+  spi_callback = callback;
+}
+
+static void spi_irq_handler(unsigned irq) {
+//  printf("SPI IRQ handler\n");
+//  uint32_t wat = spi_regs->ctrl; //read a register just to clear the interrupt
+  //spi_regs->ctrl &= ~SPI_CTRL_IE;
+  if(spi_callback) spi_callback(); //we could just use the PIC to register the user's callback, but this provides the ability to do other things later
+}
+
+uint32_t spi_get_data(void) {
+  return spi_regs->txrx0;
+}
+
+bool 
+spi_async_transact(int slave, uint32_t data, int length, uint32_t flags, void (*volatile callback)(void)) {
+  flags &= (SPI_CTRL_TXNEG | SPI_CTRL_RXNEG);
+  int ctrl = SPI_CTRL_ASS | SPI_CTRL_IE | (SPI_CTRL_CHAR_LEN_MASK & length) | flags;
+
+  if(spi_regs->ctrl & SPI_CTRL_GO_BSY) {
+    printf("Async SPI busy!\n");
+    return false; //we don't wait on busy, we just return failure. we count on the host to not set up another transaction before the last one finishes.
+  }
+
+  // Tell it which SPI slave device to access
+  spi_regs->ss = slave & 0xffff;
+
+  // Data we will send
+  spi_regs->txrx0 = data;
+
+  spi_register_callback(callback);
+  pic_register_handler(IRQ_SPI, spi_irq_handler);
+
+  // Run it -- write once and rewrite with GO set
+  spi_regs->ctrl = ctrl;
+  spi_regs->ctrl = ctrl | SPI_CTRL_GO_BSY;
+
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.h b/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.h
index 01e4d26fd..54618cedd 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.h
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/spi.h
@@ -48,6 +48,13 @@ void spi_wait(void);
 uint32_t
 spi_transact(bool readback, int slave, uint32_t data, int length, uint32_t flags);
 
+uint32_t spi_get_data(void);
+//static void spi_irq_handler(unsigned irq);
+void spi_register_callback(void (*volatile callback)(void));
+
+bool 
+spi_async_transact(int slave, uint32_t data, int length, uint32_t flags, void (*volatile callback)(void));
+
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------
 // Routines that manipulate the FLASH SPI BUS
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/firmware/microblaze/lib/u2_init.c b/firmware/microblaze/lib/u2_init.c
index 75bc40859..8d666b76b 100644
--- a/firmware/microblaze/lib/u2_init.c
+++ b/firmware/microblaze/lib/u2_init.c
@@ -45,22 +45,26 @@ get_hw_rev(void)
 bool
 u2_init(void)
 {
+  hal_disable_ints();
   hal_io_init();
 
   // init spi, so that we can switch over to the high-speed clock
   spi_init();
 
-  // init i2c so we can read our rev
-  i2c_init();
-  get_hw_rev();
-
   // set up the default clocks
   clocks_init();
 
+  hal_uart_init();
+
+  // init i2c so we can read our rev
   pic_init();	// progammable interrupt controller
+  i2c_init();
+  hal_enable_ints();
+  get_hw_rev();
+
   bp_init();	// buffer pool
   
-  hal_enable_ints();
+
 
   // flash all leds to let us know board is alive
   hal_set_leds(0x0, 0x1f);
diff --git a/fpga/usrp2/vrt/vita_rx_framer.v b/fpga/usrp2/vrt/vita_rx_framer.v
index fd82263d0..235817941 100644
--- a/fpga/usrp2/vrt/vita_rx_framer.v
+++ b/fpga/usrp2/vrt/vita_rx_framer.v
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ module vita_rx_framer
        VITA_ERR_SECS : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b00,vita_time_fifo_o[63:32]};
        VITA_ERR_TICS : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b00,32'd0};
        VITA_ERR_TICS2 : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b00,vita_time_fifo_o[31:0]};
-       VITA_ERR_PAYLOAD : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b11,28'd0,flags_fifo_o};
+       VITA_ERR_PAYLOAD : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b10,28'd0,flags_fifo_o};
        //VITA_ERR_TRAILER : pkt_fifo_line <= {2'b11,vita_trailer};
        
        default : pkt_fifo_line <= 34'h0_FFFF_FFFF;
diff --git a/host/config/Version.cmake b/host/config/Version.cmake
index a592a4565..9e4b6b306 100644
--- a/host/config/Version.cmake
+++ b/host/config/Version.cmake
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ ELSE(${GIT} STREQUAL "GIT-NOTFOUND")
     #extract the timestamp from the git log entry
     EXECUTE_PROCESS(
         WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
-        COMMAND ${PYTHON_EXECUTABLE} -c "import re; print re.match('^.*Date:\\s*(\\d*).*$', '''${_git_log}''', re.MULTILINE | re.DOTALL).groups()[0]"
+        COMMAND ${PYTHON_EXECUTABLE} -c "import re; print re.match('^.*Date:\\s*(\\d*).*$', ''' ${_git_log} ''', re.MULTILINE | re.DOTALL).groups()[0]"
         OUTPUT_VARIABLE _git_timestamp OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE
     )
 
diff --git a/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt b/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
index d0041f71c..b4383f88d 100644
--- a/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ SET(manual_sources
     coding.rst
     dboards.rst
     general.rst
+    images.rst
     usrp2.rst
 )
 
diff --git a/host/docs/images.rst b/host/docs/images.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ff5c5404e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/docs/images.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+========================================================================
+UHD - Firmware and FPGA Image Application Notes
+========================================================================
+
+.. contents:: Table of Contents
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Images Overview
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Every USRP device must be loaded with special firmware and FPGA images.
+The methods of loading images into the device varies among devices:
+
+* **USRP1:** The host code will automatically load the firmware and FPGA at runtime.
+* **USRP2:** The user must manually write the images onto the USRP2 SD card.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Pre-built images
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Pre-built images are available for download.
+See the UHD wiki for the download link.
+
+The pre-built images come in platform-specific installer packages
+and platform-independent archive files:
+
+* **Linux:** DEB or RPM installer
+* **Windows:** not available yet...
+* **Macintosh:** not available yet...
+* **Platform-independent:** ZIP or TAR.GZ archive
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Linux installers
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+The Linux-based installers will install the images into /usr/share/uhd/images.
+On a Linux system, the UHD will always search this path for image files.
+
+Commands to install a linux rpm or deb package:
+
+::
+
+    sudo rpm -i <linux-images-installer>.rpm
+
+    -- OR --
+
+    sudo dpkg -i <linux-images-installer>.deb
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Archive install
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+When installing images from an archive, there are two options:
+
+**Option 1:**
+
+Unpack the archive into the UHD installation prefix.
+The UHD will always search <prefix>/share/uhd/images for image files.
+Where <prefix> was set by the CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX at configure-time.
+
+**Option 2:**
+
+Unpack the archive anywhere and set the UHD_IMAGE_PATH environment variable.
+The UHD_IMAGE_PATH may contain a list of directories to search for image files,
+or paths to specific image files.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Building images
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The UHD source repository comes with the source code necessary to build
+both firmware and FPGA images for all supported devices.
+The build commands for a particular image can be found in <uhd-repo-path>/images/Makefile.
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Xilinx FPGA builds
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Xilinx ISE 12.x and up is required to build the Xilinx FPGA images.
+The build requires that you have a unix-like environment with make.
+Make sure that xtclsh from the Xilinx ISE bin directory is in your $PATH.
+
+See <uhd-repo-path>/fpga/usrp2/top/*
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Microblaze firmware builds
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+The Microblaze GCC compiler from the Xilinx EDK is required to build the Microblaze firmware images.
+The build requires that you have a unix-like environment with autotools and make.
+Make sure that mb-gcc from the Xilinx EDK/microblaze directory is in your $PATH.
+
+See <uhd-repo-path>/firmware/microblaze
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Altera FPGA builds
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Quartus is required to build the Altera FPGA images.
+Pre-built images can also be found in <uhd-repo-path>/fpga/usrp1/rbf
+
+See <uhd-repo-path>/fpga/usrp1/toplevel/*
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+FX2 firmware builds
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+The sdcc compiler is required to build the FX2 firmware images.
+The build requires that you have a unix-like environment with autotools and make.
+
+See <uhd-repo-path>/firmware/fx2
diff --git a/host/docs/index.rst b/host/docs/index.rst
index b31a3d0ac..6973ede19 100644
--- a/host/docs/index.rst
+++ b/host/docs/index.rst
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Building the UHD
 Application Notes
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 * `General App Notes <./general.html>`_
+* `Firmware and FPGA Image Notes <./images.html>`_
 * `USRP2 App Notes <./usrp2.html>`_
 * `Daughterboard App Notes <./dboards.html>`_
 
diff --git a/host/docs/usrp2.rst b/host/docs/usrp2.rst
index bc4ea0e44..3ac326f58 100644
--- a/host/docs/usrp2.rst
+++ b/host/docs/usrp2.rst
@@ -5,42 +5,6 @@ UHD - USRP2 Application Notes
 .. contents:: Table of Contents
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Building firmware and FPGA images
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-FPGA Image
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-Xilinx ISE 10.1 and up is required to build the FPGA image for the USRP2.
-The build requires that you have a unix-like environment with make.
-Make sure that xtclsh from the Xilinx ISE bin directory is in your $PATH.
-
-Run the following commands:
-::
-
-    cd <uhd-repo-path>/fpga/usrp2/top/u2_rev3
-    make -f Makefile.udp bin
-
-*The image file will be ./build/u2_rev3.bin*
-
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-Firmware Image
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-The Microblaze GCC compiler from the Xilinx EDK is required to build the firmware.
-The build requires that you have a unix-like environment with autotools and make.
-Make sure that mb-gcc from the Xilinx EDK/microblaze directory is in your $PATH.
-
-Run the following commands:
-::
-
-    cd <uhd-repo-path>/firmware/microblaze
-    ./boostrap
-    ./configure --host=mb
-    make
-
-*The image file will be ./usrp2/usrp2_txrx_uhd.bin*
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Load the images onto the SD card
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 **Warning!**
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/CMakeLists.txt b/host/include/uhd/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
index 76ee24e5f..130956f8a 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ INSTALL(FILES
     dboard_manager.hpp
 
     ### utilities ###
+    dsp_utils.hpp
+    misc_utils.hpp
     subdev_spec.hpp
     tune_helper.hpp
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_iface.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_iface.hpp
index fc7ea3052..e776ecc42 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_iface.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_iface.hpp
@@ -65,11 +65,34 @@ public:
         AUX_ADC_B = 'b'
     };
 
+    //! Special properties that differentiate this daughterboard slot
+    struct special_props_t{
+        /*!
+         * Soft clock divider:
+         * When a motherboard cannot provided a divided dboard clock,
+         * it may provided a "soft" divided clock over an FPGA GPIO.
+         * The implementation must know the type of clock provided.
+         */
+        bool soft_clock_divider;
+
+        /*!
+         * Mangle i2c addresses:
+         * When i2c is shared across multiple daugterboard slots,
+         * the i2c addresses will be mangled on the secondary slot
+         * to avoid conflicts between slots in the i2c address space.
+         * The mangling is daguhterboard specific so the implementation
+         * needs to know whether it should use mangled addresses or not.
+         */
+        bool mangle_i2c_addrs;
+    };
+
     /*!
-     * Get the motherboard name of the form: usrp1, usrp2...
-     * \return string representing the motherboard name
+     * Get special properties information for this dboard slot.
+     * This call helps the dboard code to handle implementation
+     * differences between different motherboards and dboard slots.
+     * \return the special properties struct
      */
-    virtual std::string get_mboard_name(void) = 0;
+    virtual special_props_t get_special_props(void) = 0;
 
     /*!
      * Write to an aux dac.
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_manager.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_manager.hpp
index e5831d4cf..c68f069f0 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_manager.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dboard_manager.hpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
         const dboard_id_t &dboard_id,
         dboard_ctor_t dboard_ctor,
         const std::string &name,
-        const prop_names_t &subdev_names = prop_names_t(1, "")
+        const prop_names_t &subdev_names = prop_names_t(1, "0")
     );
 
     /*!
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8ec04dd2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+//
+// Copyright 2010 Ettus Research LLC
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+//
+
+#ifndef INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP
+#define INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP
+
+#include <uhd/config.hpp>
+#include <uhd/types/stream_cmd.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
+#include <boost/cstdint.hpp>
+
+namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
+
+namespace dsp_type1{
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the rx mux word from properties.
+     * \param subdev_conn the subdev connection type
+     * \return the 32-bit rx mux control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_rx_mux_word(subdev_conn_t subdev_conn);
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the tx mux word from properties.
+     * \param subdev_conn the subdev connection type
+     * \return the 32-bit tx mux control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_tx_mux_word(subdev_conn_t subdev_conn);
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the cordic word from the frequency and clock rate.
+     * The frequency will be set to the actual (possible) frequency.
+     *
+     * \param freq the requested frequency in Hz
+     * \param codec_rate the dsp codec rate in Hz
+     * \return the 32-bit cordic control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_cordic_word_and_update(
+        double &freq, double codec_rate
+    );
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the CIC filter word from the rate.
+     * Check if requested decim/interp rate is:
+     *      multiple of 4, enable two halfband filters
+     *      multiple of 2, enable one halfband filter
+     *      handle remainder in CIC
+     *
+     * \param rate the requested rate in Sps
+     * \return the 32-bit cic filter control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_cic_filter_word(unsigned rate);
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the IQ scale factor word from I and Q components.
+     * \param i the I component of the scalar
+     * \param q the Q component of the scalar
+     * \return the 32-bit scale factor control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_iq_scale_word(
+        boost::int16_t i, boost::int16_t q
+    );
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the IQ scale factor word from the rate.
+     * \param rate the requested rate in Sps
+     * \return the 32-bit scale factor control word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_iq_scale_word(unsigned rate);
+
+    /*!
+     * Calculate the stream command word from the stream command struct.
+     * \param stream_cmd the requested stream command with mode, flags, timestamp
+     * \param num_samps_continuous number of samples to request in continuous mode
+     * \return the 32-bit stream command word
+     */
+    UHD_API boost::uint32_t calc_stream_cmd_word(
+        const stream_cmd_t &stream_cmd, size_t num_samps_continuous
+    );
+
+} //namespace dsp_type1
+
+}} //namespace
+
+#endif /* INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP */
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2af9f5b40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+//
+// Copyright 2010 Ettus Research LLC
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+//
+
+#ifndef INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP
+#define INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP
+
+#include <uhd/config.hpp>
+#include <uhd/wax.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/gain_group.hpp>
+
+namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
+
+    /*!
+     * Different policies for gain group prioritization.
+     */
+    enum gain_group_policy_t{
+        GAIN_GROUP_POLICY_RX = 'R',
+        GAIN_GROUP_POLICY_TX = 'T'
+    };
+
+    /*!
+     * Create a gain group that represents the subdevice and its codec.
+     * \param subdev the object with subdevice properties
+     * \param codec the object with codec properties
+     * \param gain_group_policy the policy to use
+     */
+    UHD_API gain_group::sptr make_gain_group(
+        wax::obj subdev, wax::obj codec,
+        gain_group_policy_t gain_group_policy
+    );
+
+    /*!
+     * Verify the rx subdevice specification.
+     * If the subdev spec if empty, automatically fill it.
+     * \param subdev_spec the subdev spec to verify/fill
+     * \param mboard the motherboard properties object
+     * \throw exception when the subdev spec is invalid
+     */
+    UHD_API void verify_rx_subdev_spec(subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec, wax::obj mboard);
+
+    /*!
+     * Verify the tx subdevice specification.
+     * If the subdev spec if empty, automatically fill it.
+     * \param subdev_spec the subdev spec to verify/fill
+     * \param mboard the motherboard properties object
+     * \throw exception when the subdev spec is invalid
+     */
+    UHD_API void verify_tx_subdev_spec(subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec, wax::obj mboard);
+
+}} //namespace
+
+#endif /* INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP */
+
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp b/host/include/uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp
index 1b5eacfa9..53c571e4e 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@
 #include <boost/range/begin.hpp>
 #include <boost/range/end.hpp>
 #include <boost/range/size.hpp>
+#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <vector>
+#include <string>
 
 /*! \file algorithm.hpp
  * Useful templated functions and classes that I like to pretend are part of stl.
@@ -30,6 +33,24 @@
 namespace std{
 
     /*!
+     * Split a string at the separation characters.
+     * \param string the string to split
+     * \param sep the separator characters
+     * \return a range of strings
+     */
+    inline std::vector<std::string> split_string(
+        const std::string &string, const std::string &sep = "\t "
+    ){
+        std::vector<std::string> strings;
+        if (not string.empty()) boost::split(
+            // do not split an empty string:
+            // let me tell you about the time when boost::split segfaulted...
+            strings, string, boost::is_any_of(sep)
+        );
+        return strings;
+    }
+
+    /*!
      * A wrapper around std::copy that takes ranges instead of iterators.
      *
      * Copy the elements of the source range into the destination range.
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/utils/props.hpp b/host/include/uhd/utils/props.hpp
index f376d2612..fbca03019 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/utils/props.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/utils/props.hpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
 #include <uhd/wax.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/exception.hpp>
-#include <boost/tuple/tuple.hpp>
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
@@ -36,8 +35,25 @@ namespace uhd{
      * Allows properties to be sub-sectioned by name.
      */
     struct UHD_API named_prop_t{
-        wax::obj key;
-        std::string name;
+        const wax::obj key;
+        const std::string name;
+
+        //! Convert the key to the specified type
+        template<typename T> inline T as(void){
+            return key.as<T>();
+        }
+
+        /*!
+         * Utility function to convert generic key into a named prop.
+         * If the key was already a named prop, the prop will be split.
+         * Otherwise, the key will be the key, and the name will be used.
+         * \param key a reference to the prop object
+         * \param name a reference to the name object
+         * \return a named property struct with key and name
+         */
+        static named_prop_t extract(
+            const wax::obj &key, const std::string &name = ""
+        );
 
         /*!
          * Create a new named prop from key and name.
@@ -48,17 +64,6 @@ namespace uhd{
     };
 
     /*!
-     * Utility function to separate a named property into its components.
-     * \param key a reference to the prop object
-     * \param name a reference to the name object
-     * \return a tuple that can be used with boost::tie
-     */
-    UHD_API boost::tuple<wax::obj, std::string> extract_named_prop(
-        const wax::obj &key,
-        const std::string &name = ""
-    );
-
-    /*!
      * Throw when getting a not-implemented or write-only property.
      * Throw-site information will be included with this error.
      */
diff --git a/host/lib/CMakeLists.txt b/host/lib/CMakeLists.txt
index 48cfe742e..81845de21 100644
--- a/host/lib/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/lib/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -53,6 +53,17 @@ INCLUDE(${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/utils/CMakeLists.txt)
 ########################################################################
 # Append to the list of sources for lib uhd
 ########################################################################
+FILE(TO_NATIVE_PATH ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/${PKG_DATA_DIR} LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR)
+STRING(REPLACE "\\" "\\\\" LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR ${LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR})
+MESSAGE(STATUS "Local package data directory: ${LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR}")
+
+IF(UNIX)
+    #on unix systems, installers will use this directory for the package data
+    FILE(TO_NATIVE_PATH /usr/${PKG_DATA_DIR} INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR)
+    STRING(REPLACE "\\" "\\\\" INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR ${INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR})
+    MESSAGE(STATUS "Installer package data directory: ${INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR}")
+ENDIF(UNIX)
+
 CONFIGURE_FILE(
     ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/constants.hpp.in
     ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/constants.hpp
diff --git a/host/lib/constants.hpp.in b/host/lib/constants.hpp.in
index aa51e558c..4aedb6d4a 100644
--- a/host/lib/constants.hpp.in
+++ b/host/lib/constants.hpp.in
@@ -18,12 +18,9 @@
 #ifndef INCLUDED_LIBUHD_CONSTANTS_HPP
 #define INCLUDED_LIBUHD_CONSTANTS_HPP
 
-#include <uhd/config.hpp>
-#include <string>
-
 //these should be pre-processor macros to avoid static initialization issues
 #define UHD_VERSION_STRING "@CPACK_PACKAGE_VERSION@"
-#define UHD_INSTALL_PREFIX "@CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX@"
-#define UHD_PKG_DATA_DIR "@PKG_DATA_DIR@"
+#define LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR "@LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR@"
+#define INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR "@INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR@"
 
 #endif /* INCLUDED_LIBUHD_CONSTANTS_HPP */
diff --git a/host/lib/types.cpp b/host/lib/types.cpp
index 5c0fb1f42..f957cd83f 100644
--- a/host/lib/types.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/types.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <uhd/types/otw_type.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/io_type.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/serial.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include <boost/math/special_functions/round.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
@@ -181,15 +180,10 @@ static std::string trim(const std::string &in){
 }
 
 device_addr_t::device_addr_t(const std::string &args){
-    //split the args at the semi-colons
-    std::vector<std::string> pairs;
-    boost::split(pairs, args, boost::is_any_of(arg_delim));
-    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &pair, pairs){
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &pair, std::split_string(args, arg_delim)){
         if (trim(pair) == "") continue;
 
-        //split the key value pairs at the equals
-        std::vector<std::string> key_val;
-        boost::split(key_val, pair, boost::is_any_of(pair_delim));
+        std::vector<std::string> key_val = std::split_string(pair, pair_delim);
         if (key_val.size() != 2) throw std::runtime_error("invalid args string: "+args);
         (*this)[trim(key_val.front())] = trim(key_val.back());
     }
@@ -238,13 +232,12 @@ mac_addr_t mac_addr_t::from_string(const std::string &mac_addr_str){
             throw std::runtime_error("expected exactly 5 or 17 characters");
 
         //split the mac addr hex string at the colons
-        std::vector<std::string> hex_strs;
-        boost::split(hex_strs, mac_addr_str, boost::is_any_of(":"));
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < hex_strs.size(); i++){
+        size_t i = 0;
+        BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &hex_str, std::split_string(mac_addr_str, ":")){
             int hex_num;
-            std::istringstream iss(hex_strs[i]);
+            std::istringstream iss(hex_str);
             iss >> std::hex >> hex_num;
-            bytes[i] = boost::uint8_t(hex_num);
+            bytes[i++] = boost::uint8_t(hex_num);
         }
 
     }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/CMakeLists.txt b/host/lib/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
index d951ab412..2b408e479 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -22,10 +22,9 @@ LIBUHD_APPEND_SOURCES(
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/dboard_eeprom.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/dboard_id.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/dboard_manager.cpp
-    ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp
+    ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/mimo_usrp.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
-    ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/misc_utils.hpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/simple_usrp.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
     ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/usrp/tune_helper.cpp
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
index 9180828d8..f8236d598 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
@@ -95,8 +95,7 @@ basic_rx::~basic_rx(void){
 }
 
 void basic_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -161,8 +160,7 @@ void basic_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void basic_rx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -194,8 +192,7 @@ basic_tx::~basic_tx(void){
 }
 
 void basic_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -252,8 +249,7 @@ void basic_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void basic_tx::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
index 03e6b6255..06cf91d3b 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ static const uhd::dict<std::string, gain_range_t> dbsrx_gain_ranges = map_list_o
  **********************************************************************/
 class dbsrx : public rx_dboard_base{
 public:
-    dbsrx(ctor_args_t args, boost::uint8_t max2118_addr);
+    dbsrx(ctor_args_t args);
     ~dbsrx(void);
 
     void rx_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val);
@@ -73,7 +73,9 @@ private:
     uhd::dict<std::string, float> _gains;
     max2118_write_regs_t _max2118_write_regs;
     max2118_read_regs_t _max2118_read_regs;
-    boost::uint8_t _max2118_addr; //0x67 or 0x65 depending on which side
+    boost::uint8_t _max2118_addr(void){
+        return (this->get_iface()->get_special_props().mangle_i2c_addrs)? 0x65 : 0x67;
+    };
 
     void set_lo_freq(double target_freq);
     void set_gain(float gain, const std::string &name);
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ private:
 
             //send the data
             this->get_iface()->write_i2c(
-                _max2118_addr, regs_vector
+                _max2118_addr(), regs_vector
             );
         }
     }
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ private:
 
             //read from i2c
             regs_vector = this->get_iface()->read_i2c(
-                _max2118_addr, num_bytes
+                _max2118_addr(), num_bytes
             );
 
             for(boost::uint8_t i=0; i < num_bytes; i++){
@@ -156,10 +158,8 @@ private:
 /***********************************************************************
  * Register the DBSRX dboard
  **********************************************************************/
-// FIXME 0x67 is the default i2c address on USRP2
-//       need to handle which side for USRP1 with different address
 static dboard_base::sptr make_dbsrx(dboard_base::ctor_args_t args){
-    return dboard_base::sptr(new dbsrx(args, 0x67));
+    return dboard_base::sptr(new dbsrx(args));
 }
 
 //dbid for USRP2 version
@@ -177,27 +177,27 @@ UHD_STATIC_BLOCK(reg_dbsrx_on_usrp1_dboard){
 /***********************************************************************
  * Structors
  **********************************************************************/
-dbsrx::dbsrx(ctor_args_t args, boost::uint8_t max2118_addr) : rx_dboard_base(args){
+dbsrx::dbsrx(ctor_args_t args) : rx_dboard_base(args){
     //warn user about incorrect DBID on USRP1, requires R193 populated
-    if (this->get_iface()->get_mboard_name() == "usrp1" and this->get_rx_id() == 0x000D)
+    if (this->get_iface()->get_special_props().soft_clock_divider and this->get_rx_id() == 0x000D)
         uhd::print_warning(
             str(boost::format(
                 "DBSRX: incorrect dbid\n"
-                "%s expects dbid 0x0002 and R193\n"
+                "Expected dbid 0x0002 and R193\n"
                 "found dbid == %d\n"
                 "Please see the daughterboard app notes" 
-                ) % (this->get_iface()->get_mboard_name()) % (this->get_rx_id().to_pp_string()))
+                ) % this->get_rx_id().to_pp_string())
         );
 
     //warn user about incorrect DBID on non-USRP1, requires R194 populated
-    if (this->get_iface()->get_mboard_name() != "usrp1" and this->get_rx_id() == 0x0002)
+    if (not this->get_iface()->get_special_props().soft_clock_divider and this->get_rx_id() == 0x0002)
         uhd::print_warning(
             str(boost::format(
                 "DBSRX: incorrect dbid\n"
-                "%s expects dbid 0x000D and R194\n"
+                "Expected dbid 0x000D and R194\n"
                 "found dbid == %d\n"
                 "Please see the daughterboard app notes" 
-                ) % (this->get_iface()->get_mboard_name()) % (this->get_rx_id().to_pp_string()))
+                ) % this->get_rx_id().to_pp_string())
         );
 
     //enable only the clocks we need
@@ -207,9 +207,6 @@ dbsrx::dbsrx(ctor_args_t args, boost::uint8_t max2118_addr) : rx_dboard_base(arg
     this->get_iface()->set_pin_ctrl(dboard_iface::UNIT_RX, 0x0); // All unused in atr
     this->get_iface()->set_gpio_ddr(dboard_iface::UNIT_RX, 0x0); // All Inputs
 
-    //set the i2c address for the max2118
-    _max2118_addr = max2118_addr;
-
     //send initial register settings
     this->send_reg(0x0, 0x5);
 
@@ -503,8 +500,7 @@ void dbsrx::set_bandwidth(float bandwidth){
  * RX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void dbsrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -517,13 +513,13 @@ void dbsrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_gains.keys(), name, "dbsrx gain name");
-        val = _gains[name];
+        assert_has(_gains.keys(), key.name, "dbsrx gain name");
+        val = _gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(dbsrx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "dbsrx gain name");
-        val = dbsrx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(dbsrx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "dbsrx gain name");
+        val = dbsrx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -546,19 +542,6 @@ void dbsrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = dbsrx_antennas;
         return;
 
-/*
-    case SUBDEV_PROP_QUADRATURE:
-        val = true;
-        return;
-
-    case SUBDEV_PROP_IQ_SWAPPED:
-        val = false;
-        return;
-
-    case SUBDEV_PROP_SPECTRUM_INVERTED:
-        val = false;
-        return;
-*/
     case SUBDEV_PROP_CONNECTION:
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
@@ -586,8 +569,7 @@ void dbsrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void dbsrx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -597,7 +579,7 @@ void dbsrx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_BANDWIDTH:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
index b6b44199a..c3ab96e59 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
@@ -398,8 +398,7 @@ double rfx_xcvr::set_lo_freq(
  * RX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void rfx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -412,13 +411,13 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), name, "rfx rx gain name");
-        val = _rx_gains[name];
+        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), key.name, "rfx rx gain name");
+        val = _rx_gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "rfx rx gain name");
-        val = _rx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "rfx rx gain name");
+        val = _rx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -458,8 +457,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void rfx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -469,7 +467,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
@@ -484,8 +482,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
  * TX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void rfx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -499,7 +496,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(rfx_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "rfx tx gain name");
+        assert_has(rfx_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "rfx tx gain name");
         //no controllable tx gains, will not get here
         return;
 
@@ -540,8 +537,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void rfx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -551,7 +547,7 @@ void rfx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
index 9dd9b550b..f6f4f4a61 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
@@ -78,8 +78,7 @@ unknown_rx::~unknown_rx(void){
 }
 
 void unknown_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -136,8 +135,7 @@ void unknown_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void unknown_rx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -169,8 +167,7 @@ unknown_tx::~unknown_tx(void){
 }
 
 void unknown_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -227,8 +224,7 @@ void unknown_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void unknown_tx::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
index 3038ce30b..ccd897674 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
@@ -467,8 +467,7 @@ double wbx_xcvr::set_lo_freq(
  * RX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void wbx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -481,13 +480,13 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), name, "wbx rx gain name");
-        val = _rx_gains[name];
+        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), key.name, "wbx rx gain name");
+        val = _rx_gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(wbx_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "wbx rx gain name");
-        val = wbx_rx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(wbx_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "wbx rx gain name");
+        val = wbx_rx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -527,8 +526,7 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void wbx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -538,7 +536,7 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
@@ -553,8 +551,7 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
  * TX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void wbx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -567,13 +564,13 @@ void wbx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_tx_gains.keys(), name, "wbx tx gain name");
-        val = _tx_gains[name];
+        assert_has(_tx_gains.keys(), key.name, "wbx tx gain name");
+        val = _tx_gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(wbx_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "wbx tx gain name");
-        val = wbx_tx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(wbx_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "wbx tx gain name");
+        val = wbx_tx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -613,8 +610,7 @@ void wbx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void wbx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -624,7 +620,7 @@ void wbx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
index 2c94bcd2d..798ff74a3 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
@@ -438,8 +438,7 @@ void xcvr2450::set_rx_gain(float gain, const std::string &name){
  * RX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void xcvr2450::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -452,13 +451,13 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), name, "xcvr rx gain name");
-        val = _rx_gains[name];
+        assert_has(_rx_gains.keys(), key.name, "xcvr rx gain name");
+        val = _rx_gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(xcvr_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "xcvr rx gain name");
-        val = xcvr_rx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(xcvr_rx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "xcvr rx gain name");
+        val = xcvr_rx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -502,8 +501,7 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void xcvr2450::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -513,7 +511,7 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_rx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
@@ -528,8 +526,7 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
  * TX Get and Set
  **********************************************************************/
 void xcvr2450::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -542,13 +539,13 @@ void xcvr2450::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        assert_has(_tx_gains.keys(), name, "xcvr tx gain name");
-        val = _tx_gains[name];
+        assert_has(_tx_gains.keys(), key.name, "xcvr tx gain name");
+        val = _tx_gains[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_RANGE:
-        assert_has(xcvr_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), name, "xcvr tx gain name");
-        val = xcvr_tx_gain_ranges[name];
+        assert_has(xcvr_tx_gain_ranges.keys(), key.name, "xcvr tx gain name");
+        val = xcvr_tx_gain_ranges[key.name];
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN_NAMES:
@@ -588,8 +585,7 @@ void xcvr2450::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 }
 
 void xcvr2450::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<subdev_prop_t>()){
@@ -599,7 +595,7 @@ void xcvr2450::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
-        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), name);
+        this->set_tx_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA:
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fe1313af1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+//
+// Copyright 2010 Ettus Research LLC
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+//
+
+#include <uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp>
+#include <uhd/types/dict.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
+#include <boost/assign/list_of.hpp>
+#include <boost/tuple/tuple.hpp>
+#include <boost/math/special_functions/round.hpp>
+#include <cmath>
+
+using namespace uhd;
+using namespace uhd::usrp;
+
+template <class T> T ceil_log2(T num){
+    return std::ceil(std::log(num)/std::log(T(2)));
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_rx_mux_word(subdev_conn_t subdev_conn){
+    switch(subdev_conn){
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ: return (0x1 << 2) | (0x0 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC1, DDC0I=ADC0
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI: return (0x0 << 2) | (0x1 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC0, DDC0I=ADC1
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_I:     return (0x3 << 2) | (0x0 << 0); //DDC0Q=ZERO, DDC0I=ADC0
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_Q:     return (0x1 << 2) | (0x3 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC1, DDC0I=ZERO
+    default:                     UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
+    }
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_tx_mux_word(subdev_conn_t subdev_conn){
+    switch(subdev_conn){
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ: return (0x1 << 4) | (0x0 << 0); //DAC1=DUC0Q, DAC0=DUC0I
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI: return (0x0 << 4) | (0x1 << 0); //DAC1=DUC0I, DAC0=DUC0Q
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_I:     return (0xf << 4) | (0x0 << 0); //DAC1=ZERO,  DAC0=DUC0I
+    case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_Q:     return (0x0 << 4) | (0xf << 0); //DAC1=DUC0I, DAC0=ZERO
+    default:                     UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
+    }
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_cordic_word_and_update(
+    double &freq,
+    double codec_rate
+){
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(std::abs(freq) <= codec_rate/2.0);
+    static const double scale_factor = std::pow(2.0, 32);
+
+    //calculate the freq register word (signed)
+    boost::int32_t freq_word = boost::int32_t(boost::math::round((freq / codec_rate) * scale_factor));
+
+    //update the actual frequency
+    freq = (double(freq_word) / scale_factor) * codec_rate;
+
+    return boost::uint32_t(freq_word);
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_cic_filter_word(unsigned rate){
+    int hb0 = 0, hb1 = 0;
+    if (not (rate & 0x1)){
+        hb0 = 1;
+        rate /= 2;
+    }
+    if (not (rate & 0x1)){
+        hb1 = 1;
+        rate /= 2;
+    }
+    return (hb1 << 9) | (hb0 << 8) | (rate & 0xff);
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_iq_scale_word(
+    boost::int16_t i, boost::int16_t q
+){
+    return (boost::uint32_t(i) << 16) | (boost::uint32_t(q) << 0);
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_iq_scale_word(unsigned rate){
+    // Calculate CIC interpolation (i.e., without halfband interpolators)
+    unsigned tmp_rate = calc_cic_filter_word(rate) & 0xff;
+
+    // Calculate closest multiplier constant to reverse gain absent scale multipliers
+    double rate_cubed = std::pow(double(tmp_rate), 3);
+    boost::int16_t scale = boost::math::iround((4096*std::pow(2, ceil_log2(rate_cubed)))/(1.65*rate_cubed));
+    return calc_iq_scale_word(scale, scale);
+}
+
+boost::uint32_t dsp_type1::calc_stream_cmd_word(
+    const stream_cmd_t &stream_cmd, size_t num_samps_continuous
+){
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(stream_cmd.num_samps <= 0x3fffffff);
+
+    //setup the mode to instruction flags
+    typedef boost::tuple<bool, bool, bool> inst_t;
+    static const uhd::dict<stream_cmd_t::stream_mode_t, inst_t> mode_to_inst = boost::assign::map_list_of
+                                                            //reload, chain, samps
+        (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_START_CONTINUOUS,   inst_t(true,  true,  false))
+        (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_STOP_CONTINUOUS,    inst_t(false, false, false))
+        (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_NUM_SAMPS_AND_DONE, inst_t(false, false, true))
+        (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_NUM_SAMPS_AND_MORE, inst_t(false, true,  true))
+    ;
+
+    //setup the instruction flag values
+    bool inst_reload, inst_chain, inst_samps;
+    boost::tie(inst_reload, inst_chain, inst_samps) = mode_to_inst[stream_cmd.stream_mode];
+
+    //calculate the word from flags and length
+    boost::uint32_t word = 0;
+    word |= boost::uint32_t((stream_cmd.stream_now)? 1 : 0) << 31;
+    word |= boost::uint32_t((inst_chain)?            1 : 0) << 30;
+    word |= boost::uint32_t((inst_reload)?           1 : 0) << 29;
+    word |= (inst_samps)? stream_cmd.num_samps : ((inst_chain)? num_samps_continuous : 1);
+    return word;
+}
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp b/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index ebed12c41..000000000
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,187 +0,0 @@
-//
-// Copyright 2010 Ettus Research LLC
-//
-// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-//
-// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-// GNU General Public License for more details.
-//
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-//
-
-#ifndef INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP
-#define INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP
-
-#include <uhd/config.hpp>
-#include <uhd/types/dict.hpp>
-#include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
-#include <uhd/types/stream_cmd.hpp>
-#include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
-#include <boost/cstdint.hpp>
-#include <boost/assign/list_of.hpp>
-#include <boost/tuple/tuple.hpp>
-#include <boost/math/special_functions/round.hpp>
-
-namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
-
-namespace dsp_type1{
-
-    template <class T> T ceil_log2(T num){
-        return std::ceil(std::log(num)/std::log(T(2)));
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the rx mux word from properties.
-     * \param subdev_conn the subdev connection type
-     * \param the 32-bit rx mux control word
-     */
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_rx_mux_word(
-        subdev_conn_t subdev_conn
-    ){
-        switch(subdev_conn){
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ: return (0x1 << 2) | (0x0 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC1, DDC0I=ADC0
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI: return (0x0 << 2) | (0x1 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC0, DDC0I=ADC1
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_I:     return (0x3 << 2) | (0x0 << 0); //DDC0Q=ZERO, DDC0I=ADC0
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_Q:     return (0x1 << 2) | (0x3 << 0); //DDC0Q=ADC1, DDC0I=ZERO
-        default:                     UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the tx mux word from properties.
-     * \param subdev_conn the subdev connection type
-     * \param the 32-bit tx mux control word
-     */
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_tx_mux_word(
-        subdev_conn_t subdev_conn
-    ){
-        switch(subdev_conn){
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ: return (0x1 << 4) | (0x0 << 0); //DAC1=DUC0Q, DAC0=DUC0I
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI: return (0x0 << 4) | (0x1 << 0); //DAC1=DUC0I, DAC0=DUC0Q
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_I:     return (0xf << 4) | (0x0 << 0); //DAC1=ZERO,  DAC0=DUC0I
-        case SUBDEV_CONN_REAL_Q:     return (0x0 << 4) | (0xf << 0); //DAC1=DUC0I, DAC0=ZERO
-        default:                     UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the cordic word from the frequency and clock rate.
-     * The frequency will be set to the actual (possible) frequency.
-     *
-     * \param freq the requested frequency in Hz
-     * \param codec_rate the dsp codec rate in Hz
-     * \param the 32-bit cordic control word
-     */
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_cordic_word_and_update(
-        double &freq,
-        double codec_rate
-    ){
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(std::abs(freq) <= codec_rate/2.0);
-        static const double scale_factor = std::pow(2.0, 32);
-
-        //calculate the freq register word (signed)
-        boost::int32_t freq_word = boost::int32_t(boost::math::round((freq / codec_rate) * scale_factor));
-
-        //update the actual frequency
-        freq = (double(freq_word) / scale_factor) * codec_rate;
-
-        return boost::uint32_t(freq_word);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the CIC filter word from the rate.
-     * Check if requested decim/interp rate is:
-     *      multiple of 4, enable two halfband filters
-     *      multiple of 2, enable one halfband filter
-     *      handle remainder in CIC
-     *
-     * \param rate the requested rate in Sps
-     * \return the 32-bit cic filter control word
-     */
-    template <typename dsp_rate_type>
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_cic_filter_word(dsp_rate_type rate){
-        int hb0 = 0, hb1 = 0;
-        if (not (rate & 0x1)){
-            hb0 = 1;
-            rate /= 2;
-        }
-        if (not (rate & 0x1)){
-            hb1 = 1;
-            rate /= 2;
-        }
-        return (hb1 << 9) | (hb0 << 8) | (rate & 0xff);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the IQ scale factor word from I and Q components.
-     * \param i the I component of the scalar
-     * \param q the Q component of the scalar
-     * \return the 32-bit scale factor control word
-     */
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_iq_scale_word(
-        boost::int16_t i, boost::int16_t q
-    ){
-        return (boost::uint32_t(i) << 16) | (boost::uint32_t(q) << 0);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the IQ scale factor word from the rate.
-     * \param rate the requested rate in Sps
-     * \return the 32-bit scale factor control word
-     */
-    template <typename dsp_rate_type>
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_iq_scale_word(dsp_rate_type rate){
-        // Calculate CIC interpolation (i.e., without halfband interpolators)
-        dsp_rate_type tmp_rate = calc_cic_filter_word(rate) & 0xff;
-
-        // Calculate closest multiplier constant to reverse gain absent scale multipliers
-        double rate_cubed = std::pow(double(tmp_rate), 3);
-        boost::int16_t scale = boost::math::iround((4096*std::pow(2, ceil_log2(rate_cubed)))/(1.65*rate_cubed));
-        return calc_iq_scale_word(scale, scale);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-     * Calculate the stream command word from the stream command struct.
-     * \param stream_cmd the requested stream command with mode, flags, timestamp
-     * \param num_samps_continuous number of samples to request in continuous mode
-     * \return the 32-bit stream command word
-     */
-    static inline boost::uint32_t calc_stream_cmd_word(
-        const stream_cmd_t &stream_cmd, size_t num_samps_continuous
-    ){
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(stream_cmd.num_samps <= 0x3fffffff);
-
-        //setup the mode to instruction flags
-        typedef boost::tuple<bool, bool, bool> inst_t;
-        static const uhd::dict<stream_cmd_t::stream_mode_t, inst_t> mode_to_inst = boost::assign::map_list_of
-                                                                //reload, chain, samps
-            (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_START_CONTINUOUS,   inst_t(true,  true,  false))
-            (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_STOP_CONTINUOUS,    inst_t(false, false, false))
-            (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_NUM_SAMPS_AND_DONE, inst_t(false, false, true))
-            (stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_NUM_SAMPS_AND_MORE, inst_t(false, true,  true))
-        ;
-
-        //setup the instruction flag values
-        bool inst_reload, inst_chain, inst_samps;
-        boost::tie(inst_reload, inst_chain, inst_samps) = mode_to_inst[stream_cmd.stream_mode];
-
-        //calculate the word from flags and length
-        boost::uint32_t word = 0;
-        word |= boost::uint32_t((stream_cmd.stream_now)? 1 : 0) << 31;
-        word |= boost::uint32_t((inst_chain)?            1 : 0) << 30;
-        word |= boost::uint32_t((inst_reload)?           1 : 0) << 29;
-        word |= (inst_samps)? stream_cmd.num_samps : ((inst_chain)? num_samps_continuous : 1);
-        return word;
-    }
-
-} //namespace dsp_type1
-
-}} //namespace
-
-#endif /* INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_DSP_UTILS_HPP */
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
index 0aa03a6cc..46094ba32 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
@@ -15,9 +15,13 @@
 // along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 //
 
-#include "misc_utils.hpp"
+#include <uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/gain_group.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/dboard_id.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/mboard_props.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/dboard_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/codec_props.hpp>
 #include <boost/bind.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
@@ -25,9 +29,6 @@
 using namespace uhd;
 using namespace uhd::usrp;
 
-static const size_t subdev_gain_priority = 1; //higher, closer to the antenna
-static const size_t codec_gain_priority = 0;
-
 /***********************************************************************
  * codec gain group helper functions:
  *    do this so we dont have to bind a templated function
@@ -76,7 +77,15 @@ static void set_subdev_gain(wax::obj subdev, const std::string &name, float gain
 /***********************************************************************
  * gain group factory function for usrp
  **********************************************************************/
-gain_group::sptr usrp::make_gain_group(wax::obj subdev, wax::obj codec){
+gain_group::sptr usrp::make_gain_group(
+    wax::obj subdev, wax::obj codec,
+    gain_group_policy_t gain_group_policy
+){
+    const size_t subdev_gain_priority = 1;
+    const size_t codec_gain_priority = (gain_group_policy == GAIN_GROUP_POLICY_RX)?
+        (subdev_gain_priority - 1): //RX policy, codec gains fill last (lower priority)
+        (subdev_gain_priority + 1); //TX policy, codec gains fill first (higher priority)
+
     gain_group::sptr gg = gain_group::make();
     gain_fcns_t fcns;
     //add all the subdev gains first (antenna to dsp order)
@@ -112,3 +121,69 @@ gain_group::sptr usrp::make_gain_group(wax::obj subdev, wax::obj codec){
     }
     return gg;
 }
+
+/***********************************************************************
+ * verify subdev specs
+ **********************************************************************/
+static void verify_xx_subdev_spec(
+    mboard_prop_t dboard_names_prop,
+    mboard_prop_t dboard_prop,
+    subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec,
+    wax::obj mboard,
+    std::string xx_type
+){
+    prop_names_t dboard_names = mboard[dboard_names_prop].as<prop_names_t>();
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(dboard_names.size() > 0); //well i hope there is a dboard
+
+    //the subdevice specification is empty: handle automatic
+    if (subdev_spec.empty()){
+        BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &db_name, dboard_names){
+            wax::obj dboard = mboard[named_prop_t(dboard_prop, db_name)];
+
+            //if the dboard slot is populated, take the first subdevice
+            if (dboard[DBOARD_PROP_DBOARD_ID].as<dboard_id_t>() != dboard_id_t::none()){
+                std::string sd_name = dboard[DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>().front();
+                subdev_spec.push_back(subdev_spec_pair_t(db_name, sd_name));
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        //didnt find any populated dboards: add the first subdevice
+        if (subdev_spec.empty()){
+            std::string db_name = dboard_names.front();
+            wax::obj dboard = mboard[named_prop_t(dboard_prop, db_name)];
+            std::string sd_name = dboard[DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>().front();
+            subdev_spec.push_back(subdev_spec_pair_t(db_name, sd_name));
+        }
+    }
+
+    //sanity check that the dboard/subdevice names exist for this mboard
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const subdev_spec_pair_t &pair, subdev_spec){
+        //empty db name means select dboard automatically
+        if (pair.db_name.empty()){
+            if (dboard_names.size() != 1) throw std::runtime_error(
+                "A daughterboard name must be provided for multi-slot boards: " + subdev_spec.to_string()
+            );
+            pair.db_name == dboard_names.front();
+        }
+        uhd::assert_has(dboard_names, pair.db_name, xx_type + " dboard name");
+        wax::obj dboard = mboard[named_prop_t(dboard_prop, pair.db_name)];
+        uhd::assert_has(dboard[DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>(), pair.sd_name, xx_type + " subdev name");
+    }
+}
+
+void usrp::verify_rx_subdev_spec(subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec, wax::obj mboard){
+    return verify_xx_subdev_spec(
+        MBOARD_PROP_RX_DBOARD_NAMES,
+        MBOARD_PROP_RX_DBOARD,
+        subdev_spec, mboard, "rx"
+    );
+}
+
+void usrp::verify_tx_subdev_spec(subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec, wax::obj mboard){
+    return verify_xx_subdev_spec(
+        MBOARD_PROP_TX_DBOARD_NAMES,
+        MBOARD_PROP_TX_DBOARD,
+        subdev_spec, mboard, "tx"
+    );
+}
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.hpp b/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 7fe3c899d..000000000
--- a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-//
-// Copyright 2010 Ettus Research LLC
-//
-// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-// (at your option) any later version.
-//
-// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-// GNU General Public License for more details.
-//
-// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-//
-
-#ifndef INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP
-#define INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP
-
-#include <uhd/config.hpp>
-#include <uhd/wax.hpp>
-#include <uhd/utils/gain_group.hpp>
-
-namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
-
-    /*!
-     * Create a gain group that represents the subdevice and its codec.
-     */
-    gain_group::sptr make_gain_group(wax::obj subdev, wax::obj codec);
-
-}} //namespace
-
-#endif /* INCLUDED_LIBUHD_USRP_MISC_UTILS_HPP */
-
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
index 0f00e2f74..7a3e72867 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 //
 
 #include <uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include <stdexcept>
@@ -35,12 +35,9 @@ subdev_spec_pair_t::subdev_spec_pair_t(
 }
 
 subdev_spec_t::subdev_spec_t(const std::string &markup){
-    std::vector<std::string> pairs;
-    boost::split(pairs, markup, boost::is_any_of("\t "));
-    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &pair, pairs){
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &pair, std::split_string(markup)){
         if (pair == "") continue;
-        std::vector<std::string> db_sd;
-        boost::split(db_sd, pair, boost::is_any_of(":"));
+        std::vector<std::string> db_sd = std::split_string(pair, ":");
         switch(db_sd.size()){
         case 1: this->push_back(subdev_spec_pair_t("", db_sd.front())); break;
         case 2: this->push_back(subdev_spec_pair_t(db_sd.front(), db_sd.back())); break;
@@ -56,13 +53,9 @@ std::string subdev_spec_t::to_pp_string(void) const{
     size_t count = 0;
     ss << "Subdevice Specification:" << std::endl;
     BOOST_FOREACH(const subdev_spec_pair_t &pair, *this){
-        std::string db_name = pair.db_name;
-        if (db_name == "") db_name = "0";
-        std::string sd_name = pair.sd_name;
-        if (sd_name == "") sd_name = "0";
         ss << boost::format(
             "    Channel %d: Daughterboard %s, Subdevice %s"
-        ) % (count++) % db_name % sd_name << std::endl;
+        ) % (count++) % pair.db_name % pair.sd_name << std::endl;
     }
     return ss.str();
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/codec_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/codec_impl.cpp
index 969b5b4b9..f7f9ce2d5 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/codec_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/codec_impl.cpp
@@ -53,9 +53,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::codec_init(void){
 /***********************************************************************
  * RX Codec Properties
  **********************************************************************/
-void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_codec_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_codec_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<codec_prop_t>()){
@@ -136,9 +134,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_codec_set_gain(float gain, const std::string &name){
 /***********************************************************************
  * TX Codec Properties
  **********************************************************************/
-void usrp2_mboard_impl::tx_codec_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+void usrp2_mboard_impl::tx_codec_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val){
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<codec_prop_t>()){
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_iface.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_iface.cpp
index be45c2c9e..cff13292b 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_iface.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_iface.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,12 @@ public:
     usrp2_dboard_iface(usrp2_iface::sptr iface, usrp2_clock_ctrl::sptr clock_ctrl);
     ~usrp2_dboard_iface(void);
 
-    std::string get_mboard_name(void){return "usrp2";}
+    special_props_t get_special_props(void){
+        special_props_t props;
+        props.soft_clock_divider = false;
+        props.mangle_i2c_addrs = false;
+        return props;
+    }
 
     void write_aux_dac(unit_t, aux_dac_t, float);
     float read_aux_adc(unit_t, aux_adc_t);
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
index 075f22388..a462b93c2 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dboard_impl.cpp
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 
 #include "usrp2_impl.hpp"
 #include "usrp2_regs.hpp"
-#include "../dsp_utils.hpp"
-#include "../misc_utils.hpp"
+#include <uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/dboard_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
@@ -59,8 +59,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::dboard_init(void){
  * RX DBoard Properties
  **********************************************************************/
 void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<dboard_prop_t>()){
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV:
-        val = _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev(name);
+        val = _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev(key.name);
         return;
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES:
@@ -90,7 +89,9 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_GAIN_GROUP:
         val = make_gain_group(
-            _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev(name), _rx_codec_proxy->get_link()
+            _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev(key.name),
+            _rx_codec_proxy->get_link(),
+            GAIN_GROUP_POLICY_RX
         );
         return;
 
@@ -114,8 +115,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::rx_dboard_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
  * TX DBoard Properties
  **********************************************************************/
 void usrp2_mboard_impl::tx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<dboard_prop_t>()){
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::tx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV:
-        val = _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev(name);
+        val = _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev(key.name);
         return;
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES:
@@ -145,7 +145,9 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::tx_dboard_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
 
     case DBOARD_PROP_GAIN_GROUP:
         val = make_gain_group(
-            _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev(name), _tx_codec_proxy->get_link()
+            _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev(key.name),
+            _tx_codec_proxy->get_link(),
+            GAIN_GROUP_POLICY_TX
         );
         return;
 
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
index 936b1f7a2..97bda51fc 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/dsp_impl.cpp
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@
 
 #include "usrp2_impl.hpp"
 #include "usrp2_regs.hpp"
-#include "../dsp_utils.hpp"
+#include <uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/dsp_props.hpp>
 #include <boost/bind.hpp>
+#include <cmath>
 
 using namespace uhd;
 using namespace uhd::usrp;
@@ -30,10 +31,10 @@ static const size_t default_interp = 16;
 /***********************************************************************
  * DDC Helper Methods
  **********************************************************************/
-template <class rate_t> static rate_t
-pick_closest_rate(double exact_rate, const std::vector<rate_t> &rates){
-    rate_t closest_match = rates.at(0);
-    BOOST_FOREACH(rate_t possible_rate, rates){
+template <typename rate_type>
+static rate_type pick_closest_rate(double exact_rate, const std::vector<rate_type> &rates){
+    unsigned closest_match = rates.front();
+    BOOST_FOREACH(rate_type possible_rate, rates){
         if(std::abs(exact_rate - possible_rate) < std::abs(exact_rate - closest_match))
             closest_match = possible_rate;
     }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/fw_common.h b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/fw_common.h
index fc1e6f2a7..4d3b62d6b 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/fw_common.h
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/fw_common.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 //fpga and firmware compatibility numbers
 #define USRP2_FPGA_COMPAT_NUM 1
-#define USRP2_FW_COMPAT_NUM 5
+#define USRP2_FW_COMPAT_NUM 6
 
 //used to differentiate control packets over data port
 #define USRP2_INVALID_VRT_HEADER 0
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
index 6c4234641..fc1cc3a9a 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 
 #include "usrp2_impl.hpp"
 #include "usrp2_regs.hpp"
-#include "../dsp_utils.hpp"
+#include <uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp>
+#include <uhd/usrp/dsp_utils.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/mboard_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/mac_addr.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/dict.hpp>
 #include <boost/bind.hpp>
+#include <boost/assign/list_of.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/ip/address_v4.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <boost/date_time/posix_time/posix_time.hpp>
@@ -194,12 +196,13 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::issue_ddc_stream_cmd(const stream_cmd_t &stream_cmd){
 /***********************************************************************
  * MBoard Get Properties
  **********************************************************************/
+static const std::string dboard_name = "0";
+
 void usrp2_mboard_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the other props
-    if (key.type() == typeid(std::string)){
+    if (key_.type() == typeid(std::string)){
         if (key.as<std::string>() == "mac-addr"){
             byte_vector_t bytes = _iface->read_eeprom(USRP2_I2C_ADDR_MBOARD, USRP2_EE_MBOARD_MAC_ADDR, 6);
             val = mac_addr_t::from_bytes(bytes).to_string();
@@ -230,25 +233,25 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_RX_DBOARD:
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(name == "");
+        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(key.name == dboard_name);
         val = _rx_dboard_proxy->get_link();
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_RX_DBOARD_NAMES:
-        val = prop_names_t(1, "");
+        val = prop_names_t(1, dboard_name);
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TX_DBOARD:
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(name == "");
+        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(key.name == dboard_name);
         val = _tx_dboard_proxy->get_link();
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TX_DBOARD_NAMES:
-        val = prop_names_t(1, "");
+        val = prop_names_t(1, dboard_name);
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_RX_DSP:
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(name == "");
+        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(key.name == "");
         val = _rx_dsp_proxy->get_link();
         return;
 
@@ -257,7 +260,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TX_DSP:
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(name == "");
+        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(key.name == "");
         val = _tx_dsp_proxy->get_link();
         return;
 
@@ -333,14 +336,9 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_RX_SUBDEV_SPEC:
         _rx_subdev_spec = val.as<subdev_spec_t>();
-        //handle automatic
-        if (_rx_subdev_spec.empty()) _rx_subdev_spec.push_back(
-            subdev_spec_pair_t("", _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev_names().front())
-        );
+        verify_rx_subdev_spec(_rx_subdev_spec, this->get_link());
         //sanity check
         UHD_ASSERT_THROW(_rx_subdev_spec.size() == 1);
-        uhd::assert_has((*this)[MBOARD_PROP_RX_DBOARD_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>(), _rx_subdev_spec.front().db_name, "rx dboard names");
-        uhd::assert_has(_dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev_names(), _rx_subdev_spec.front().sd_name, "rx subdev names");
         //set the mux
         _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.dsp_rx_mux, dsp_type1::calc_rx_mux_word(
             _dboard_manager->get_rx_subdev(_rx_subdev_spec.front().sd_name)[SUBDEV_PROP_CONNECTION].as<subdev_conn_t>()
@@ -349,14 +347,9 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val){
 
     case MBOARD_PROP_TX_SUBDEV_SPEC:
         _tx_subdev_spec = val.as<subdev_spec_t>();
-        //handle automatic
-        if (_tx_subdev_spec.empty()) _tx_subdev_spec.push_back(
-            subdev_spec_pair_t("", _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev_names().front())
-        );
+        verify_tx_subdev_spec(_tx_subdev_spec, this->get_link());
         //sanity check
         UHD_ASSERT_THROW(_tx_subdev_spec.size() == 1);
-        uhd::assert_has((*this)[MBOARD_PROP_TX_DBOARD_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>(), _tx_subdev_spec.front().db_name, "tx dboard names");
-        uhd::assert_has(_dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev_names(), _tx_subdev_spec.front().sd_name, "tx subdev names");
         //set the mux
         _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.dsp_tx_mux, dsp_type1::calc_tx_mux_word(
             _dboard_manager->get_tx_subdev(_tx_subdev_spec.front().sd_name)[SUBDEV_PROP_CONNECTION].as<subdev_conn_t>()
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
index 21f411afe..568c87a22 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 #include <uhd/usrp/device_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/static.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <boost/assign/list_of.hpp>
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
@@ -41,12 +41,6 @@ static const size_t DISCOVERY_TIMEOUT_MS = 100;
 /***********************************************************************
  * Helper Functions
  **********************************************************************/
-std::vector<std::string> split_addrs(const std::string &addrs_str){
-    std::vector<std::string> addrs;
-    boost::split(addrs, addrs_str, boost::is_any_of("\t "));
-    return addrs;
-}
-
 template <class T> std::string num2str(T num){
     return boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(num);
 }
@@ -80,7 +74,7 @@ static uhd::device_addrs_t usrp2_find(const device_addr_t &hint){
     }
 
     //if there are multiple addresses, just return good, dont test
-    std::vector<std::string> addrs = split_addrs(hint["addr"]);
+    std::vector<std::string> addrs = std::split_string(hint["addr"]);
     if (addrs.size() > 1){
         device_addr_t new_addr;
         new_addr["type"] = "usrp2";
@@ -155,7 +149,7 @@ static device::sptr usrp2_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr){
     std::vector<udp_simple::sptr> ctrl_transports;
     std::vector<udp_zero_copy::sptr> data_transports;
 
-    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &addr, split_addrs(device_addr["addr"])){
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &addr, std::split_string(device_addr["addr"])){
         ctrl_transports.push_back(udp_simple::make_connected(
             addr, num2str(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT)
         ));
@@ -207,8 +201,7 @@ usrp2_impl::~usrp2_impl(void){
  * Device Properties
  **********************************************************************/
 void usrp2_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
-    wax::obj key; std::string name;
-    boost::tie(key, name) = extract_named_prop(key_);
+    named_prop_t key = named_prop_t::extract(key_);
 
     //handle the get request conditioned on the key
     switch(key.as<device_prop_t>()){
@@ -218,7 +211,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case DEVICE_PROP_MBOARD:
-        val = _mboard_dict[name]->get_link();
+        val = _mboard_dict[key.name]->get_link();
         return;
 
     case DEVICE_PROP_MBOARD_NAMES:
diff --git a/host/lib/utils/paths.cpp b/host/lib/utils/paths.cpp
index 4029bd989..6ad12d3cc 100644
--- a/host/lib/utils/paths.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/utils/paths.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 #include "constants.hpp"
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <boost/program_options.hpp>
 #include <boost/filesystem.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
@@ -58,15 +58,9 @@ static std::vector<fs::path> get_env_paths(const std::string &var_name){
     po::store(po::parse_environment(desc, boost::bind(&name_mapper, var_name, _1)), vm);
     po::notify(vm);
 
-    //split the path at the path separators
-    std::vector<std::string> path_strings;
-    if (not var_value.empty()) boost::split(//dont split empty strings
-        path_strings, var_value, boost::is_any_of(env_path_sep)
-    );
-
     //convert to filesystem path, filter blank paths
     std::vector<fs::path> paths;
-    BOOST_FOREACH(std::string &path_string, path_strings){
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &path_string, std::split_string(var_value, env_path_sep)){
         if (path_string.empty()) continue;
         paths.push_back(fs::system_complete(path_string));
     }
@@ -78,13 +72,17 @@ static std::vector<fs::path> get_env_paths(const std::string &var_name){
  **********************************************************************/
 std::vector<fs::path> get_image_paths(void){
     std::vector<fs::path> paths = get_env_paths("UHD_IMAGE_PATH");
-    paths.push_back(fs::path(UHD_INSTALL_PREFIX) / UHD_PKG_DATA_DIR / "images");
+    paths.push_back(fs::path(LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR) / "images");
+    if (not std::string(INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR).empty())
+        paths.push_back(fs::path(INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR) / "images");
     return paths;
 }
 
 std::vector<fs::path> get_module_paths(void){
     std::vector<fs::path> paths = get_env_paths("UHD_MODULE_PATH");
-    paths.push_back(fs::path(UHD_INSTALL_PREFIX) / UHD_PKG_DATA_DIR / "modules");
+    paths.push_back(fs::path(LOCAL_PKG_DATA_DIR) / "modules");
+    if (not std::string(INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR).empty())
+        paths.push_back(fs::path(INSTALLER_PKG_DATA_DIR) / "modules");
     return paths;
 }
 
diff --git a/host/lib/utils/props.cpp b/host/lib/utils/props.cpp
index fac5fe24f..fc9f8e63f 100644
--- a/host/lib/utils/props.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/utils/props.cpp
@@ -29,15 +29,12 @@ named_prop_t::named_prop_t(
     /* NOP */
 }
 
-typedef boost::tuple<wax::obj, std::string> named_prop_tuple;
-
-named_prop_tuple uhd::extract_named_prop(
+named_prop_t named_prop_t::extract(
     const wax::obj &key,
     const std::string &name
 ){
     if (key.type() == typeid(named_prop_t)){
-        named_prop_t np = key.as<named_prop_t>();
-        return named_prop_tuple(np.key, np.name);
+        return key.as<named_prop_t>();
     }
-    return named_prop_tuple(key, name);
+    return named_prop_t(key, name);
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/utils/warning.cpp b/host/lib/utils/warning.cpp
index ae4d4c7aa..8a7d35a23 100644
--- a/host/lib/utils/warning.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/utils/warning.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 //
 
 #include <uhd/utils/warning.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <vector>
@@ -24,13 +24,9 @@
 using namespace uhd;
 
 void uhd::print_warning(const std::string &msg){
-    //extract the message lines
-    std::vector<std::string> lines;
-    boost::split(lines, msg, boost::is_any_of("\n"));
-
     //print the warning message
     std::cerr << std::endl << "Warning:" << std::endl;
-    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &line, lines){
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &line, std::split_string(msg, "\n")){
         std::cerr << "    " << line << std::endl;
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/utils/uhd_usrp_probe.cpp b/host/utils/uhd_usrp_probe.cpp
index 097317516..8947034d7 100644
--- a/host/utils/uhd_usrp_probe.cpp
+++ b/host/utils/uhd_usrp_probe.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include <uhd/utils/safe_main.hpp>
 #include <uhd/device.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/ranges.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/device_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/mboard_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/dboard_props.hpp>
@@ -26,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/dboard_id.hpp>
 #include <boost/program_options.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ static std::string make_border(const std::string &text){
     std::stringstream ss;
     ss << boost::format("  _____________________________________________________") << std::endl;
     ss << boost::format(" /") << std::endl;
-    std::vector<std::string> lines; boost::split(lines, text, boost::is_any_of("\n"));
+    std::vector<std::string> lines = std::split_string(text, "\n");
     while (lines.back() == "") lines.pop_back(); //strip trailing newlines
     if (lines.size()) lines[0] = "    " + lines[0]; //indent the title line
     BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &line, lines){