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

Conflicts:
	host/lib/usrp/usrp2/io_impl.cpp
	host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp

18 files changed, 381 insertions, 316 deletions

diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
index 4b0d8bf27..41f6f8002 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_basic_and_lf.cpp
@@ -149,6 +149,10 @@ void basic_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = sd_name_to_conn[get_subdev_name()];
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -178,6 +182,9 @@ void basic_rx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
         return; // it wont do you much good, but you can set it
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
@@ -241,6 +248,10 @@ void basic_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = sd_name_to_conn[get_subdev_name()];
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -270,6 +281,9 @@ void basic_tx::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
         return; // it wont do you much good, but you can set it
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
index 81434f054..23cafea53 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_dbsrx.cpp
@@ -551,6 +551,10 @@ void dbsrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -587,6 +591,9 @@ void dbsrx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_BANDWIDTH:
         this->set_bandwidth(val.as<float>());
         return;
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
index c3ab96e59..cfc34381e 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_rfx.cpp
@@ -444,6 +444,10 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -474,6 +478,9 @@ void rfx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_rx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
@@ -524,6 +531,10 @@ void rfx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = true;
         return;
@@ -554,6 +565,9 @@ void rfx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_tx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_tvrx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_tvrx.cpp
index 41c52fbf5..b1fc2ea76 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_tvrx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_tvrx.cpp
@@ -66,25 +66,25 @@ static const uhd::dict<std::string, freq_range_t> tvrx_freq_ranges = map_list_of
     ("UHF"  , freq_range_t(454e6, 860e6))
 ;
 
-static const boost::array<float, 17> vhflo_gains_db = 
+static const boost::array<double, 17> vhflo_gains_db =
     {{-6.00000, -6.00000, -6.00000, -4.00000, 0.00000,
      5.00000, 10.00000, 17.40000, 26.30000, 36.00000,
      43.00000, 48.00000, 49.50000, 50.10000, 50.30000,
      50.30000, 50.30000}};
-                                 
-static const boost::array<float, 17> vhfhi_gains_db = 
+
+static const boost::array<double, 17> vhfhi_gains_db =
     {{13.3000,  -13.3000,  -13.3000,   -1.0000,    7.7000,
     11.0000,   14.7000,   19.3000,   26.1000,   36.0000,
     42.7000,   46.0000,   47.0000,   47.8000,   48.2000,
     48.2000,   48.2000}};
-    
-static const boost::array<float, 17> uhf_gains_db =
+
+static const boost::array<double, 17> uhf_gains_db =
     {{-8.0000,   -8.0000,   -7.0000,    4.0000,   10.2000,
      14.5000,   17.5000,   20.0000,   24.5000,   30.8000,
      37.0000,   39.8000,   40.7000,   41.6000,   42.6000,
      43.2000,   43.8000}};
-     
-static const boost::array<float, 17> tvrx_if_gains_db = 
+
+static const boost::array<double, 17> tvrx_if_gains_db =
     {{-1.50000,   -1.50000,   -1.50000,   -1.00000,    0.20000,
      2.10000,    4.30000,    6.40000,    9.00000,   12.00000,
      14.80000,   18.20000,   26.10000,   32.50000,  32.50000,
@@ -96,32 +96,32 @@ static const boost::array<float, 17> tvrx_if_gains_db =
 //need dang near as many coefficients as to just map it like this and interp.
 //these numbers are culled from the 4937DI5 datasheet and are probably totally inaccurate
 //but if it's better than the old linear fit i'm happy
-static const uhd::dict<std::string, boost::array<float, 17> > tvrx_rf_gains_db = map_list_of
+static const uhd::dict<std::string, boost::array<double, 17> > tvrx_rf_gains_db = map_list_of
     ("VHFLO", vhflo_gains_db)
     ("VHFHI", vhfhi_gains_db)
     ("UHF"  , uhf_gains_db)
 ;
 
 //sample voltages for the above points
-static const boost::array<float, 17> tvrx_gains_volts = 
+static const boost::array<double, 17> tvrx_gains_volts =
     {{0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4.0}};
 
 static uhd::dict<std::string, gain_range_t> get_tvrx_gain_ranges(void) {
-    float rfmax = 0.0, rfmin = FLT_MAX;
+    double rfmax = 0.0, rfmin = FLT_MAX;
     BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string range, tvrx_rf_gains_db.keys()) {
-        float my_max = tvrx_rf_gains_db[range].back(); //we're assuming it's monotonic
-        float my_min = tvrx_rf_gains_db[range].front(); //if it's not this is wrong wrong wrong
+        double my_max = tvrx_rf_gains_db[range].back(); //we're assuming it's monotonic
+        double my_min = tvrx_rf_gains_db[range].front(); //if it's not this is wrong wrong wrong
         if(my_max > rfmax) rfmax = my_max;
         if(my_min < rfmin) rfmin = my_min;
     }
-    
-    float ifmin = tvrx_if_gains_db.front();
-    float ifmax = tvrx_if_gains_db.back();
-    
+
+    double ifmin = tvrx_if_gains_db.front();
+    double ifmax = tvrx_if_gains_db.back();
+
     return map_list_of
-        ("RF", gain_range_t(rfmin, rfmax, (rfmax-rfmin)/4096.0))
-        ("IF", gain_range_t(ifmin, ifmax, (ifmax-ifmin)/4096.0))
-        ;
+        ("RF", gain_range_t(float(rfmin), float(rfmax), float((rfmax-rfmin)/4096.0)))
+        ("IF", gain_range_t(float(ifmin), float(ifmax), float((ifmax-ifmin)/4096.0)))
+    ;
 }
 
 static const double opamp_gain = 1.22; //onboard DAC opamp gain
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class tvrx : public rx_dboard_base{
 public:
     tvrx(ctor_args_t args);
     ~tvrx(void);
-    
+
     void rx_get(const wax::obj &key, wax::obj &val);
     void rx_set(const wax::obj &key, const wax::obj &val);
 
@@ -198,11 +198,11 @@ tvrx::tvrx(ctor_args_t args) : rx_dboard_base(args){
     }
 
     //send initial register settings if necessary
-    
+
     //set default freq
     _lo_freq = tvrx_freq_range.min + tvrx_if_freq; //init _lo_freq to a sane default
     set_freq(tvrx_freq_range.min);
-    
+
     //set default gains
     BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &name, get_tvrx_gain_ranges().keys()){
         set_gain(get_tvrx_gain_ranges()[name].min, name);
@@ -238,33 +238,33 @@ static std::string get_band(double freq) {
  * \return a voltage to feed the TVRX analog gain
  */
 
-static float gain_interp(float gain, boost::array<float, 17> db_vector, boost::array<float, 17> volts_vector) {
-    float volts;
-    gain = std::clip<float>(gain, db_vector.front(), db_vector.back()); //let's not get carried away here
-    
+static double gain_interp(double gain, boost::array<double, 17> db_vector, boost::array<double, 17> volts_vector) {
+    double volts;
+    gain = std::clip<double>(gain, db_vector.front(), db_vector.back()); //let's not get carried away here
+
     boost::uint8_t gain_step = 0;
     //find which bin we're in
     for(size_t i = 0; i < db_vector.size()-1; i++) {
         if(gain >= db_vector[i] && gain <= db_vector[i+1]) gain_step = i;
     }
-    
+
     //find the current slope for linear interpolation
-    float slope = (volts_vector[gain_step + 1] - volts_vector[gain_step]) 
+    double slope = (volts_vector[gain_step + 1] - volts_vector[gain_step])
                 / (db_vector[gain_step + 1] - db_vector[gain_step]);
-                
+
     //the problem here is that for gains approaching the maximum, the voltage slope becomes infinite
     //i.e., a small change in gain requires an infinite change in voltage
     //to cope, we limit the slope
-    
-    if(slope == std::numeric_limits<float>::infinity())
+
+    if(slope == std::numeric_limits<double>::infinity())
         return volts_vector[gain_step];
 
     //use the volts per dB slope to find the final interpolated voltage
     volts = volts_vector[gain_step] + (slope * (gain - db_vector[gain_step]));
-        
+
     if(tvrx_debug)
         std::cout << "Gain interp: gain: " << gain << ", gain_step: " << int(gain_step) << ", slope: " << slope << ", volts: " << volts << std::endl;
-    
+
     return volts;
 }
 
@@ -283,17 +283,17 @@ static float rf_gain_to_voltage(float gain, double lo_freq){
     std::string band = get_band(lo_freq + tvrx_if_freq);
 
     //this is the voltage at the TVRX gain input
-    float gain_volts = gain_interp(gain, tvrx_rf_gains_db[band], tvrx_gains_volts);
+    double gain_volts = gain_interp(gain, tvrx_rf_gains_db[band], tvrx_gains_volts);
     //this is the voltage at the USRP DAC output
-    float dac_volts = gain_volts / opamp_gain;
-    
-    dac_volts = std::clip<float>(dac_volts, 0.0, 3.3);
+    double dac_volts = gain_volts / opamp_gain;
+
+    dac_volts = std::clip<double>(dac_volts, 0.0, 3.3);
 
     if (tvrx_debug) std::cerr << boost::format(
         "tvrx RF AGC gain: %f dB, dac_volts: %f V"
     ) % gain % dac_volts << std::endl;
 
-    return dac_volts;
+    return float(dac_volts);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -306,17 +306,17 @@ static float rf_gain_to_voltage(float gain, double lo_freq){
 static float if_gain_to_voltage(float gain){
     //clip the input
     gain = std::clip<float>(gain, get_tvrx_gain_ranges()["IF"].min, get_tvrx_gain_ranges()["IF"].max);
-    
-    float gain_volts = gain_interp(gain, tvrx_if_gains_db, tvrx_gains_volts);
-    float dac_volts = gain_volts / opamp_gain;
-    
-    dac_volts = std::clip<float>(dac_volts, 0.0, 3.3);
+
+    double gain_volts = gain_interp(gain, tvrx_if_gains_db, tvrx_gains_volts);
+    double dac_volts = gain_volts / opamp_gain;
+
+    dac_volts = std::clip<double>(dac_volts, 0.0, 3.3);
 
     if (tvrx_debug) std::cerr << boost::format(
         "tvrx IF AGC gain: %f dB, dac_volts: %f V"
     ) % gain % dac_volts << std::endl;
 
-    return dac_volts;
+    return float(dac_volts);
 }
 
 void tvrx::set_gain(float gain, const std::string &name){
@@ -337,27 +337,27 @@ void tvrx::set_gain(float gain, const std::string &name){
  */
 
 void tvrx::set_freq(double freq) {
-    freq = std::clip<float>(freq, tvrx_freq_range.min, tvrx_freq_range.max);
+    freq = std::clip<double>(freq, tvrx_freq_range.min, tvrx_freq_range.max);
     std::string prev_band = get_band(_lo_freq - tvrx_if_freq);
     std::string new_band = get_band(freq);
-    
+
     double target_lo_freq = freq + tvrx_if_freq; //the desired LO freq for high-side mixing
     double f_ref = reference_freq / double(reference_divider); //your tuning step size
-    
+
     int divisor = int((target_lo_freq + (f_ref * 4.0)) / (f_ref * 8)); //the divisor we'll use
     double actual_lo_freq = (f_ref * 8 * divisor); //the LO freq we'll actually get
-    
+
     if((divisor & ~0x7fff)) UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
-    
+
     //now we update the registers
     _tuner_4937di5_regs.db1 = (divisor >> 8) & 0xff;
     _tuner_4937di5_regs.db2 = divisor & 0xff;
-    
+
     if(new_band == "VHFLO") _tuner_4937di5_regs.bandsel = tuner_4937di5_regs_t::BANDSEL_VHFLO;
     else if(new_band == "VHFHI") _tuner_4937di5_regs.bandsel = tuner_4937di5_regs_t::BANDSEL_VHFHI;
     else if(new_band == "UHF") _tuner_4937di5_regs.bandsel = tuner_4937di5_regs_t::BANDSEL_UHF;
     else UHD_THROW_INVALID_CODE_PATH();
-    
+
     _tuner_4937di5_regs.power = tuner_4937di5_regs_t::POWER_OFF;
     update_regs();
 
@@ -365,10 +365,10 @@ void tvrx::set_freq(double freq) {
     //we do this because the gains are different for different band settings
     //not FAR off, but we do this to be consistent
     if(prev_band != new_band) set_gain(_gains["RF"], "RF");
-    
-    if(tvrx_debug) 
+
+    if(tvrx_debug)
         std::cout << boost::format("set_freq: target LO: %f f_ref: %f divisor: %i actual LO: %f") % target_lo_freq % f_ref % divisor % actual_lo_freq << std::endl;
-    
+
     _lo_freq = actual_lo_freq; //for rx props
 }
 
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ void tvrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         return;
 
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
-    /* 
+    /*
      * so here we have to do some magic. because the TVRX uses a relatively high IF,
      * we have to watch the sample rate to see if the IF will be aliased
      * or if it will fall within Nyquist.
@@ -447,6 +447,10 @@ void tvrx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -467,10 +471,14 @@ void tvrx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_GAIN:
         this->set_gain(val.as<float>(), key.name);
         return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
         this->set_freq(val.as<double>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
index f6f4f4a61..ec7ab440b 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_unknown.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,10 @@ void unknown_rx::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -151,6 +155,9 @@ void unknown_rx::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
         return; // it wont do you much good, but you can set it
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
@@ -211,6 +218,10 @@ void unknown_tx::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -240,6 +251,9 @@ void unknown_tx::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
     case SUBDEV_PROP_FREQ:
         return; // it wont do you much good, but you can set it
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
index e473ce41e..907268aac 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_wbx.cpp
@@ -513,6 +513,10 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -543,6 +547,9 @@ void wbx_xcvr::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_rx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
@@ -597,6 +604,10 @@ void wbx_xcvr::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -627,6 +638,9 @@ void wbx_xcvr::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_tx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
index 798ff74a3..0ee133f3d 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard/db_xcvr2450.cpp
@@ -484,6 +484,10 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_IQ;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -518,6 +522,9 @@ void xcvr2450::rx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_rx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
@@ -572,6 +579,10 @@ void xcvr2450::tx_get(const wax::obj &key_, wax::obj &val){
         val = SUBDEV_CONN_COMPLEX_QI;
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        val = true; //always enabled
+        return;
+
     case SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET:
         val = false;
         return;
@@ -602,6 +613,9 @@ void xcvr2450::tx_set(const wax::obj &key_, const wax::obj &val){
         this->set_tx_ant(val.as<std::string>());
         return;
 
+    case SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED:
+        return; //always enabled
+
     default: UHD_THROW_PROP_SET_ERROR();
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/dboard_manager.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/dboard_manager.cpp
index 181f843a0..78daa1b4d 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/dboard_manager.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/dboard_manager.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ std::string dboard_id_t::to_pp_string(void) const{
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
- * internal helper classe
+ * internal helper classes
  **********************************************************************/
 /*!
  * A special wax proxy object that forwards calls to a subdev.
@@ -330,4 +330,14 @@ void dboard_manager_impl::set_nice_dboard_if(void){
         _iface->set_pin_ctrl(unit, 0x0000); //all gpio
         _iface->set_clock_enabled(unit, false); //clock off
     }
+
+    //disable all rx subdevices
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &sd_name, this->get_rx_subdev_names()){
+        this->get_rx_subdev(sd_name)[SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED] = false;
+    }
+
+    //disable all tx subdevices
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &sd_name, this->get_tx_subdev_names()){
+        this->get_tx_subdev(sd_name)[SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED] = false;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
index 5cfcdc8d3..05308baba 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/misc_utils.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 
 #include <uhd/usrp/misc_utils.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/algorithm.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/gain_group.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/dboard_id.hpp>
 #include <uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp>
@@ -186,6 +187,22 @@ static void verify_xx_subdev_spec(
             "Validate %s subdev spec failed: %s\n    %s"
         ) % xx_type % subdev_spec.to_string() % e.what()));
     }
+
+    //now use the subdev spec to enable the subdevices in use and vice-versa
+    BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &db_name, mboard[dboard_names_prop].as<prop_names_t>()){
+        wax::obj dboard = mboard[named_prop_t(dboard_prop, db_name)];
+        BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &sd_name, dboard[DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV_NAMES].as<prop_names_t>()){
+            try{
+                bool enable = std::has(subdev_spec, subdev_spec_pair_t(db_name, sd_name));
+                dboard[named_prop_t(DBOARD_PROP_SUBDEV, sd_name)][SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED] = enable;
+            }
+            catch(const std::exception &e){
+                throw std::runtime_error(str(boost::format(
+                    "Cannot set enabled property on subdevice %s:%s\n    %s"
+                ) % db_name % sd_name % e.what()));
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 void usrp::verify_rx_subdev_spec(subdev_spec_t &subdev_spec, wax::obj mboard){
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/single_usrp.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/single_usrp.cpp
index bb4af44b8..08dc3bb1d 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/single_usrp.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/single_usrp.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ public:
         return _dev;
     }
 
+    /*******************************************************************
+     * Mboard methods
+     ******************************************************************/
     std::string get_pp_string(void){
         std::string buff = str(boost::format(
             "Single USRP:\n"
@@ -101,9 +104,10 @@ public:
         return buff;
     }
 
-    /*******************************************************************
-     * Misc
-     ******************************************************************/
+    std::string get_mboard_name(void){
+        return _mboard()[MBOARD_PROP_NAME].as<std::string>();
+    }
+
     time_spec_t get_time_now(void){
         return _mboard()[MBOARD_PROP_TIME_NOW].as<time_spec_t>();
     }
@@ -135,6 +139,10 @@ public:
         return _mboard()[MBOARD_PROP_RX_SUBDEV_SPEC].as<subdev_spec_t>();
     }
 
+    std::string get_rx_subdev_name(size_t chan){
+        return _rx_subdev(chan)[SUBDEV_PROP_NAME].as<std::string>();
+    }
+
     void set_rx_rate(double rate){
         _rx_dsp()[DSP_PROP_HOST_RATE] = rate;
     }
@@ -206,6 +214,10 @@ public:
         return _mboard()[MBOARD_PROP_TX_SUBDEV_SPEC].as<subdev_spec_t>();
     }
 
+    std::string get_tx_subdev_name(size_t chan){
+        return _tx_subdev(chan)[SUBDEV_PROP_NAME].as<std::string>();
+    }
+
     void set_tx_rate(double rate){
         _tx_dsp()[DSP_PROP_HOST_RATE] = rate;
     }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
index 7a3e72867..95d2cbb12 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/subdev_spec.cpp
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ subdev_spec_pair_t::subdev_spec_pair_t(
     /* NOP */
 }
 
+bool usrp::operator==(const subdev_spec_pair_t &lhs, const subdev_spec_pair_t &rhs){
+    return (lhs.db_name == rhs.db_name) and (lhs.sd_name == rhs.sd_name);
+}
+
 subdev_spec_t::subdev_spec_t(const std::string &markup){
     BOOST_FOREACH(const std::string &pair, std::split_string(markup)){
         if (pair == "") continue;
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/io_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/io_impl.cpp
index aee760a83..6728d9b15 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/io_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/io_impl.cpp
@@ -33,33 +33,26 @@ using namespace uhd::usrp;
 using namespace uhd::transport;
 namespace asio = boost::asio;
 
+static const size_t alignment_padding = 512;
+
 /***********************************************************************
- * Pseudo send buffer implementation
+ * Helper struct to associate an offset with a buffer
  **********************************************************************/
-class pseudo_managed_send_buffer : public managed_send_buffer{
+class offset_send_buffer{
 public:
+    typedef boost::shared_ptr<offset_send_buffer> sptr;
 
-    pseudo_managed_send_buffer(
-        const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff,
-        const boost::function<ssize_t(size_t)> &commit
-    ):
-        _buff(buff),
-        _commit(commit)
-    {
-        /* NOP */
+    static sptr make(managed_send_buffer::sptr buff, size_t offset = 0){
+        return sptr(new offset_send_buffer(buff, offset));
     }
 
-    ssize_t commit(size_t num_bytes){
-        return _commit(num_bytes);
-    }
+    //member variables
+    managed_send_buffer::sptr buff;
+    size_t offset; /* in bytes */
 
 private:
-    const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &get(void) const{
-        return _buff;
-    }
-
-    const boost::asio::mutable_buffer      _buff;
-    const boost::function<ssize_t(size_t)> _commit;
+    offset_send_buffer(managed_send_buffer::sptr buff, size_t offset):
+        buff(buff), offset(offset){/* NOP */}
 };
 
 /***********************************************************************
@@ -70,8 +63,8 @@ struct usrp1_impl::io_impl{
         data_transport(data_transport),
         underflow_poll_samp_count(0),
         overflow_poll_samp_count(0),
-        send_buff(data_transport->get_send_buff()),
-        num_bytes_committed(0)
+        curr_buff_committed(true),
+        curr_buff(offset_send_buffer::make(data_transport->get_send_buff()))
     {
         /* NOP */
     }
@@ -91,100 +84,91 @@ struct usrp1_impl::io_impl{
     size_t overflow_poll_samp_count;
 
     //wrapper around the actual send buffer interface
-    //all of this to ensure only full buffers are committed
-    managed_send_buffer::sptr send_buff;
-    size_t num_bytes_committed;
-    boost::uint8_t pseudo_buff[BYTES_PER_PACKET];
-    ssize_t phony_commit_pseudo_buff(size_t num_bytes);
-    ssize_t phony_commit_send_buff(size_t num_bytes);
-    ssize_t commit_send_buff(void);
+    //all of this to ensure only aligned lengths are committed
+    //NOTE: you must commit before getting a new buffer
+    //since the vrt packet handler obeys this, we are ok
+    bool curr_buff_committed;
+    offset_send_buffer::sptr curr_buff;
+    void commit_send_buff(offset_send_buffer::sptr, offset_send_buffer::sptr, size_t);
     void flush_send_buff(void);
-    bool get_send_buffs(vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &);
-
-    //helpers to get at the send buffer + offset
-    inline void *get_send_mem_ptr(void){
-        return send_buff->cast<boost::uint8_t *>() + num_bytes_committed;
-    }
-    inline size_t get_send_mem_size(void){
-        return send_buff->size() - num_bytes_committed;
-    }
+    bool get_send_buffs(vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &, double);
 };
 
 /*!
- * Accept a commit of num bytes to the pseudo buffer.
- * Memcpy the entire contents of pseudo buffer into send buffers.
- *
- * Under most conditions:
- *   The first loop iteration will fill the remainder of the send buffer.
- *   The second loop iteration will empty the pseudo buffer remainder.
+ * Perform an actual commit on the send buffer:
+ * Copy the remainder of alignment to the next buffer.
+ * Commit the current buffer at multiples of alignment.
  */
-ssize_t usrp1_impl::io_impl::phony_commit_pseudo_buff(size_t num_bytes){
-    size_t bytes_to_copy = num_bytes, bytes_copied = 0;
-    while(bytes_to_copy){
-        size_t bytes_copied_here = std::min(bytes_to_copy, get_send_mem_size());
-        std::memcpy(get_send_mem_ptr(), pseudo_buff + bytes_copied, bytes_copied_here);
-        ssize_t ret = phony_commit_send_buff(bytes_copied_here);
-        if (ret < 0) return ret;
-        bytes_to_copy -= ret;
-        bytes_copied += ret;
-    }
-    return bytes_copied;
-}
+void usrp1_impl::io_impl::commit_send_buff(
+    offset_send_buffer::sptr curr,
+    offset_send_buffer::sptr next,
+    size_t num_bytes
+){
+    //total number of bytes now in the current buffer
+    size_t bytes_in_curr_buffer = curr->offset + num_bytes;
+
+    //calculate how many to commit and remainder
+    size_t num_bytes_remaining = bytes_in_curr_buffer % alignment_padding;
+    size_t num_bytes_to_commit = bytes_in_curr_buffer - num_bytes_remaining;
+
+    //copy the remainder into the next buffer
+    std::memcpy(
+        next->buff->cast<char *>() + next->offset,
+        curr->buff->cast<char *>() + num_bytes_to_commit,
+        num_bytes_remaining
+    );
 
-/*!
- * Accept a commit of num bytes to the send buffer.
- * Conditionally commit the send buffer if full.
- */
-ssize_t usrp1_impl::io_impl::phony_commit_send_buff(size_t num_bytes){
-    num_bytes_committed += num_bytes;
-    if (num_bytes_committed != send_buff->size()) return num_bytes;
-    ssize_t ret = commit_send_buff();
-    return (ret < 0)? ret : num_bytes;
+    //update the offset into the next buffer
+    next->offset += num_bytes_remaining;
+
+    //commit the current buffer
+    curr->buff->commit(num_bytes_to_commit);
+    curr_buff_committed = true;
 }
 
 /*!
- * Flush the send buffer:
- * Zero-pad the send buffer to the nearest 512 byte boundary and commit.
+ * Flush the current buffer by padding out to alignment and committing.
  */
 void usrp1_impl::io_impl::flush_send_buff(void){
-    size_t bytes_to_pad = (-1*num_bytes_committed)%512;
-    std::memset(get_send_mem_ptr(), 0, bytes_to_pad);
-    num_bytes_committed += bytes_to_pad;
-    commit_send_buff();
+    //calculate the number of bytes to alignment
+    size_t bytes_to_pad = (-1*curr_buff->offset)%alignment_padding;
+
+    //get the buffer, clear, and commit (really current buffer)
+    vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t buffs(1);
+    if (this->get_send_buffs(buffs, 0.1)){
+        std::memset(buffs[0]->cast<void *>(), 0, bytes_to_pad);
+        buffs[0]->commit(bytes_to_pad);
+    }
 }
 
 /*!
- * Perform an actual commit on the send buffer:
- * Commit the contents of the send buffer and request a new buffer.
+ * Get a managed send buffer with the alignment padding:
+ * Always grab the next send buffer so we can timeout here.
  */
-ssize_t usrp1_impl::io_impl::commit_send_buff(void){
-    ssize_t ret = send_buff->commit(num_bytes_committed);
-    send_buff = data_transport->get_send_buff();
-    num_bytes_committed = 0;
-    return ret;
-}
-
 bool usrp1_impl::io_impl::get_send_buffs(
-    vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &buffs
+    vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &buffs, double timeout
 ){
-    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(buffs.size() == 1);
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(curr_buff_committed and buffs.size() == 1);
+
+    //try to get a new managed buffer with timeout
+    offset_send_buffer::sptr next_buff(offset_send_buffer::make(data_transport->get_send_buff(timeout)));
+    if (not next_buff->buff.get()) return false; /* propagate timeout here */
+
+    //calculate the buffer pointer and size given the offset
+    //references to the buffers are held in the bound function
+    buffs[0] = managed_send_buffer::make_safe(
+        boost::asio::buffer(
+            curr_buff->buff->cast<char *>() + curr_buff->offset,
+            curr_buff->buff->size()         - curr_buff->offset
+        ),
+        boost::bind(&usrp1_impl::io_impl::commit_send_buff, this, curr_buff, next_buff, _1)
+    );
 
-    //not enough bytes free -> use the pseudo buffer
-    if (get_send_mem_size() < BYTES_PER_PACKET){
-        buffs[0] = managed_send_buffer::sptr(new pseudo_managed_send_buffer(
-            boost::asio::buffer(pseudo_buff),
-            boost::bind(&usrp1_impl::io_impl::phony_commit_pseudo_buff, this, _1)
-        ));
-    }
-    //otherwise use the send buffer offset by the bytes written
-    else{
-        buffs[0] = managed_send_buffer::sptr(new pseudo_managed_send_buffer(
-            boost::asio::buffer(get_send_mem_ptr(), get_send_mem_size()),
-            boost::bind(&usrp1_impl::io_impl::phony_commit_send_buff, this, _1)
-        ));
-    }
+    //store the next buffer for the next call
+    curr_buff = next_buff;
+    curr_buff_committed = false;
 
-    return buffs[0].get() != NULL;
+    return true;
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
@@ -213,10 +197,17 @@ static void usrp1_bs_vrt_packer(
     if_packet_info.num_packet_words32 = if_packet_info.num_payload_words32;
 }
 
+size_t usrp1_impl::get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const {
+    return (_data_transport->get_send_frame_size() - alignment_padding)
+        / _tx_otw_type.get_sample_size()
+        / _tx_subdev_spec.size()
+    ;
+}
+
 size_t usrp1_impl::send(
     const std::vector<const void *> &buffs, size_t num_samps,
     const tx_metadata_t &metadata, const io_type_t &io_type,
-    send_mode_t send_mode
+    send_mode_t send_mode, double timeout
 ){
     size_t num_samps_sent = vrt_packet_handler::send(
         _io_impl->packet_handler_send_state,       //last state of the send handler
@@ -225,7 +216,7 @@ size_t usrp1_impl::send(
         io_type, _tx_otw_type,                     //input and output types to convert
         _clock_ctrl->get_master_clock_freq(),      //master clock tick rate
         &usrp1_bs_vrt_packer,
-        boost::bind(&usrp1_impl::io_impl::get_send_buffs, _io_impl.get(), _1),
+        boost::bind(&usrp1_impl::io_impl::get_send_buffs, _io_impl.get(), _1, timeout),
         get_max_send_samps_per_packet(),
         0,                                         //vrt header offset
         _tx_subdev_spec.size()                     //num channels
@@ -272,18 +263,25 @@ static void usrp1_bs_vrt_unpacker(
 }
 
 static bool get_recv_buffs(
-    zero_copy_if::sptr zc_if, size_t timeout_ms,
+    zero_copy_if::sptr zc_if, double timeout,
     vrt_packet_handler::managed_recv_buffs_t &buffs
 ){
     UHD_ASSERT_THROW(buffs.size() == 1);
-    buffs[0] = zc_if->get_recv_buff(timeout_ms);
+    buffs[0] = zc_if->get_recv_buff(timeout);
     return buffs[0].get() != NULL;
 }
 
+size_t usrp1_impl::get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const {
+    return _data_transport->get_recv_frame_size()
+        / _rx_otw_type.get_sample_size()
+        / _rx_subdev_spec.size()
+    ;
+}
+
 size_t usrp1_impl::recv(
     const std::vector<void *> &buffs, size_t num_samps,
     rx_metadata_t &metadata, const io_type_t &io_type,
-    recv_mode_t recv_mode, size_t timeout_ms
+    recv_mode_t recv_mode, double timeout
 ){
     size_t num_samps_recvd = vrt_packet_handler::recv(
         _io_impl->packet_handler_recv_state,       //last state of the recv handler
@@ -292,7 +290,7 @@ size_t usrp1_impl::recv(
         io_type, _rx_otw_type,                     //input and output types to convert
         _clock_ctrl->get_master_clock_freq(),      //master clock tick rate
         &usrp1_bs_vrt_unpacker,
-        boost::bind(&get_recv_buffs, _data_transport, timeout_ms, _1),
+        boost::bind(&get_recv_buffs, _data_transport, timeout, _1),
         &vrt_packet_handler::handle_overflow_nop,
         0,                                         //vrt header offset
         _rx_subdev_spec.size()                     //num channels
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.cpp
index 156fc119f..276ca86f6 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.cpp
@@ -106,17 +106,8 @@ static device_addrs_t usrp1_find(const device_addr_t &hint)
 /***********************************************************************
  * Make
  **********************************************************************/
-template<typename output_type> static output_type cast_from_dev_addr(
-    const device_addr_t &device_addr,
-    const std::string &key,
-    output_type def_val
-){
-    return (device_addr.has_key(key))?
-        boost::lexical_cast<output_type>(device_addr[key]) : def_val;
-}
+static device::sptr usrp1_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr){
 
-static device::sptr usrp1_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr)
-{
     //extract the FPGA path for the USRP1
     std::string usrp1_fpga_image = find_image_path(
         device_addr.has_key("fpga")? device_addr["fpga"] : "usrp1_fpga.rbf"
@@ -127,29 +118,26 @@ static device::sptr usrp1_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr)
     std::vector<usb_device_handle::sptr> device_list =
         usb_device_handle::get_device_list(USRP1_VENDOR_ID, USRP1_PRODUCT_ID);
 
-    //create data and control transports
-    usb_zero_copy::sptr data_transport;
-    usrp_ctrl::sptr usrp_ctrl;
-
-
-    BOOST_FOREACH(usb_device_handle::sptr handle, device_list) {
-        if (handle->get_serial() == device_addr["serial"]) {
-            usb_control::sptr ctrl_transport = usb_control::make(handle);
-            usrp_ctrl = usrp_ctrl::make(ctrl_transport);
-            usrp_ctrl->usrp_load_fpga(usrp1_fpga_image);
-
-            data_transport = usb_zero_copy::make(
-                handle,        // identifier
-                6,             // IN endpoint
-                2,             // OUT endpoint
-                size_t(cast_from_dev_addr<double>(device_addr, "recv_xfer_size", 0)),
-                size_t(cast_from_dev_addr<double>(device_addr, "recv_num_xfers", 0)),
-                size_t(cast_from_dev_addr<double>(device_addr, "send_xfer_size", 0)),
-                size_t(cast_from_dev_addr<double>(device_addr, "send_num_xfers", 0))
-            );
+    //locate the matching handle in the device list
+    usb_device_handle::sptr handle;
+    BOOST_FOREACH(usb_device_handle::sptr dev_handle, device_list) {
+        if (dev_handle->get_serial() == device_addr["serial"]){
+            handle = dev_handle;
             break;
         }
     }
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(handle.get() != NULL); //better be found
+
+    //create control objects and a data transport
+    usb_control::sptr ctrl_transport = usb_control::make(handle);
+    usrp_ctrl::sptr usrp_ctrl = usrp_ctrl::make(ctrl_transport);
+    usrp_ctrl->usrp_load_fpga(usrp1_fpga_image);
+    usb_zero_copy::sptr data_transport = usb_zero_copy::make(
+        handle,        // identifier
+        6,             // IN endpoint
+        2,             // OUT endpoint
+        device_addr    // param hints
+    );
 
     //create the usrp1 implementation guts
     return device::sptr(new usrp1_impl(data_transport, usrp_ctrl));
@@ -209,9 +197,9 @@ usrp1_impl::~usrp1_impl(void){
     /* NOP */
 }
 
-bool usrp1_impl::recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, size_t timeout_ms){
+bool usrp1_impl::recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, double timeout){
     //dummy fill-in for the recv_async_msg
-    boost::this_thread::sleep(boost::posix_time::milliseconds(timeout_ms));
+    boost::this_thread::sleep(boost::posix_time::microseconds(long(timeout*1e6)));
     return false;
 }
 
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.hpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.hpp
index 20ae3c02a..ff4d40762 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.hpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp1/usrp1_impl.hpp
@@ -83,25 +83,18 @@ public:
                 size_t,
                 const uhd::tx_metadata_t &,
                 const uhd::io_type_t &,
-                send_mode_t);
+                send_mode_t, double);
 
     size_t recv(const std::vector<void *> &,
                 size_t, uhd::rx_metadata_t &,
                 const uhd::io_type_t &,
-                recv_mode_t,
-                size_t timeout);
+                recv_mode_t, double);
 
-    static const size_t BYTES_PER_PACKET = 512*4; //under the transfer size
+    size_t get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const;
 
-    size_t get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const {
-        return BYTES_PER_PACKET/_tx_otw_type.get_sample_size()/_tx_subdev_spec.size();
-    }
-
-    size_t get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const {
-        return BYTES_PER_PACKET/_rx_otw_type.get_sample_size()/_rx_subdev_spec.size();
-    }
+    size_t get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const;
 
-    bool recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, size_t);
+    bool recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, double);
 
 private:
     /*!
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/io_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/io_impl.cpp
index 7d9a426a3..eba704059 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/io_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/io_impl.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ using namespace uhd::transport;
 namespace asio = boost::asio;
 
 static const int underflow_flags = async_metadata_t::EVENT_CODE_UNDERFLOW | async_metadata_t::EVENT_CODE_UNDERFLOW_IN_PACKET;
-static const double RECV_TIMEOUT_MS = 100;
 
 /***********************************************************************
  * io impl details (internal to this file)
@@ -59,9 +58,9 @@ struct usrp2_impl::io_impl{
         recv_pirate_crew.join_all();
     }
 
-    bool get_recv_buffs(vrt_packet_handler::managed_recv_buffs_t &buffs, size_t timeout_ms){
+    bool get_recv_buffs(vrt_packet_handler::managed_recv_buffs_t &buffs, double timeout){
         boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
-        return recv_pirate_booty->pop_elems_with_timed_wait(buffs, boost::posix_time::milliseconds(timeout_ms));
+        return recv_pirate_booty->pop_elems_with_timed_wait(buffs, timeout);
     }
 
     //state management for the vrt packet handler code
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::io_impl::recv_pirate_loop(
     size_t next_packet_seq = 0;
 
     while(recv_pirate_crew_raiding){
-        managed_recv_buffer::sptr buff = zc_if->get_recv_buff(RECV_TIMEOUT_MS);
+        managed_recv_buffer::sptr buff = zc_if->get_recv_buff();
         if (not buff.get()) continue; //ignore timeout/error buffers
 
         try{
@@ -151,8 +150,7 @@ void usrp2_impl::io_init(void){
         std::memcpy(send_buff->cast<void*>(), &data, sizeof(data));
         send_buff->commit(sizeof(data));
         //drain the recv buffers (may have junk)
-
-        while (data_transport->get_recv_buff(RECV_TIMEOUT_MS).get()){};
+        while (data_transport->get_recv_buff().get()){};
     }
 
     //the number of recv frames is the number for the first transport
@@ -170,22 +168,16 @@ void usrp2_impl::io_init(void){
             _mboards.at(i), i
         ));
     }
-
-    std::cout << "RX samples per packet: " << get_max_recv_samps_per_packet() << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "TX samples per packet: " << get_max_send_samps_per_packet() << std::endl;
-    std::cout << "Recv pirate num frames: " << num_frames << std::endl;
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
  * Async Data
  **********************************************************************/
 bool usrp2_impl::recv_async_msg(
-    async_metadata_t &async_metadata, size_t timeout_ms
+    async_metadata_t &async_metadata, double timeout
 ){
     boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
-    return _io_impl->async_msg_fifo->pop_with_timed_wait(
-        async_metadata, boost::posix_time::milliseconds(timeout_ms)
-    );
+    return _io_impl->async_msg_fifo->pop_with_timed_wait(async_metadata, timeout);
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
@@ -193,28 +185,40 @@ bool usrp2_impl::recv_async_msg(
  **********************************************************************/
 static bool get_send_buffs(
     const std::vector<udp_zero_copy::sptr> &trans,
-    vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &buffs
+    vrt_packet_handler::managed_send_buffs_t &buffs,
+    double timeout
 ){
     UHD_ASSERT_THROW(trans.size() == buffs.size());
+    bool good = true;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < buffs.size(); i++){
-        buffs[i] = trans[i]->get_send_buff();
+        buffs[i] = trans[i]->get_send_buff(timeout);
+        good = good and (buffs[i].get() != NULL);
     }
-    return true;
+    return good;
+}
+
+size_t usrp2_impl::get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const{
+    static const size_t hdr_size = 0
+        + vrt::max_if_hdr_words32*sizeof(boost::uint32_t)
+        - sizeof(vrt::if_packet_info_t().cid) //no class id ever used
+    ;
+    const size_t bpp = _data_transports.front()->get_send_frame_size() - hdr_size;
+    return bpp/_tx_otw_type.get_sample_size();
 }
 
 size_t usrp2_impl::send(
     const std::vector<const void *> &buffs, size_t num_samps,
     const tx_metadata_t &metadata, const io_type_t &io_type,
-    send_mode_t send_mode
+    send_mode_t send_mode, double timeout
 ){
     return vrt_packet_handler::send(
         _io_impl->packet_handler_send_state,       //last state of the send handler
         buffs, num_samps,                          //buffer to fill
         metadata, send_mode,                       //samples metadata
-        io_type, _io_helper.get_tx_otw_type(),     //input and output types to convert
+        io_type, _tx_otw_type,                     //input and output types to convert
         _mboards.front()->get_master_clock_freq(), //master clock tick rate
         uhd::transport::vrt::if_hdr_pack_be,
-        boost::bind(&get_send_buffs, _data_transports, _1),
+        boost::bind(&get_send_buffs, _data_transports, _1, timeout),
         get_max_send_samps_per_packet()
     );
 }
@@ -222,18 +226,28 @@ size_t usrp2_impl::send(
 /***********************************************************************
  * Receive Data
  **********************************************************************/
+size_t usrp2_impl::get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const{
+    static const size_t hdr_size = 0
+        + vrt::max_if_hdr_words32*sizeof(boost::uint32_t)
+        + sizeof(vrt::if_packet_info_t().tlr) //forced to have trailer
+        - sizeof(vrt::if_packet_info_t().cid) //no class id ever used
+    ;
+    const size_t bpp = _data_transports.front()->get_recv_frame_size() - hdr_size;
+    return bpp/_rx_otw_type.get_sample_size();
+}
+
 size_t usrp2_impl::recv(
     const std::vector<void *> &buffs, size_t num_samps,
     rx_metadata_t &metadata, const io_type_t &io_type,
-    recv_mode_t recv_mode, size_t timeout_ms
+    recv_mode_t recv_mode, double timeout
 ){
     return vrt_packet_handler::recv(
         _io_impl->packet_handler_recv_state,       //last state of the recv handler
         buffs, num_samps,                          //buffer to fill
         metadata, recv_mode,                       //samples metadata
-        io_type, _io_helper.get_rx_otw_type(),     //input and output types to convert
+        io_type, _rx_otw_type,                     //input and output types to convert
         _mboards.front()->get_master_clock_freq(), //master clock tick rate
         uhd::transport::vrt::if_hdr_unpack_be,
-        boost::bind(&usrp2_impl::io_impl::get_recv_buffs, _io_impl.get(), _1, timeout_ms)
+        boost::bind(&usrp2_impl::io_impl::get_recv_buffs, _io_impl.get(), _1, timeout)
     );
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
index 8c5ef49ed..e0e0d726e 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/mboard_impl.cpp
@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ using namespace boost::posix_time;
 usrp2_mboard_impl::usrp2_mboard_impl(
     size_t index,
     transport::udp_simple::sptr ctrl_transport,
-    const usrp2_io_helper &io_helper
+    size_t recv_frame_size
 ):
     _index(index),
-    _io_helper(io_helper)
+    _recv_frame_size(recv_frame_size)
 {
     //make a new interface for usrp2 stuff
     _iface = usrp2_iface::make(ctrl_transport);
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ usrp2_mboard_impl::usrp2_mboard_impl(
     this->issue_ddc_stream_cmd(stream_cmd_t::STREAM_MODE_STOP_CONTINUOUS);
 
     //setup the vrt rx registers
-    _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_nsamps_per_pkt, _io_helper.get_max_recv_samps_per_packet());
+    _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_nsamps_per_pkt, _recv_frame_size);
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_nchannels, 1);
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_clear_overrun, 1); //reset
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_vrt_header, 0
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ void usrp2_mboard_impl::set_time_spec(const time_spec_t &time_spec, bool now){
 
 void usrp2_mboard_impl::issue_ddc_stream_cmd(const stream_cmd_t &stream_cmd){
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_stream_cmd, dsp_type1::calc_stream_cmd_word(
-        stream_cmd, _io_helper.get_max_recv_samps_per_packet()
+        stream_cmd, _recv_frame_size
     ));
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_time_secs,  boost::uint32_t(stream_cmd.time_spec.get_full_secs()));
     _iface->poke32(_iface->regs.rx_ctrl_time_ticks, stream_cmd.time_spec.get_tick_count(get_master_clock_freq()));
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
index 568c87a22..a680708ad 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.cpp
@@ -124,26 +124,7 @@ static uhd::device_addrs_t usrp2_find(const device_addr_t &hint){
 /***********************************************************************
  * Make
  **********************************************************************/
-template <typename out_type, typename in_type>
-out_type lexical_cast(const in_type &in){
-    try{
-        return boost::lexical_cast<out_type>(in);
-    }catch(...){
-        throw std::runtime_error(str(boost::format(
-            "failed to cast \"%s\" to type \"%s\""
-        ) % boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(in) % typeid(out_type).name()));
-    }
-}
-
 static device::sptr usrp2_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr){
-    //extract the receive and send buffer sizes
-    size_t recv_buff_size = 0, send_buff_size= 0 ;
-    if (device_addr.has_key("recv_buff_size")){
-        recv_buff_size = size_t(lexical_cast<double>(device_addr["recv_buff_size"]));
-    }
-    if (device_addr.has_key("send_buff_size")){
-        send_buff_size = size_t(lexical_cast<double>(device_addr["send_buff_size"]));
-    }
 
     //create a ctrl and data transport for each address
     std::vector<udp_simple::sptr> ctrl_transports;
@@ -154,8 +135,7 @@ static device::sptr usrp2_make(const device_addr_t &device_addr){
             addr, num2str(USRP2_UDP_CTRL_PORT)
         ));
         data_transports.push_back(udp_zero_copy::make(
-            addr, num2str(USRP2_UDP_DATA_PORT),
-            recv_buff_size, send_buff_size
+            addr, num2str(USRP2_UDP_DATA_PORT), device_addr
         ));
     }
 
@@ -178,11 +158,23 @@ usrp2_impl::usrp2_impl(
 ):
     _data_transports(data_transports)
 {
+    //setup rx otw type
+    _rx_otw_type.width = 16;
+    _rx_otw_type.shift = 0;
+    _rx_otw_type.byteorder = uhd::otw_type_t::BO_BIG_ENDIAN;
+
+    //setup tx otw type
+    _tx_otw_type.width = 16;
+    _tx_otw_type.shift = 0;
+    _tx_otw_type.byteorder = uhd::otw_type_t::BO_BIG_ENDIAN;
+
+    //!!!!! set the otw type here before continuing, its used below
+
     //create a new mboard handler for each control transport
     for(size_t i = 0; i < ctrl_transports.size(); i++){
-        _mboards.push_back(usrp2_mboard_impl::sptr(
-            new usrp2_mboard_impl(i, ctrl_transports[i], _io_helper)
-        ));
+        _mboards.push_back(usrp2_mboard_impl::sptr(new usrp2_mboard_impl(
+            i, ctrl_transports[i], this->get_max_recv_samps_per_packet()
+        )));
         //use an empty name when there is only one mboard
         std::string name = (ctrl_transports.size() > 1)? boost::lexical_cast<std::string>(i) : "";
         _mboard_dict[name] = _mboards.back();
diff --git a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.hpp b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.hpp
index b37c61488..b81711e2b 100644
--- a/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.hpp
+++ b/host/lib/usrp/usrp2/usrp2_impl.hpp
@@ -73,54 +73,6 @@ private:
 };
 
 /*!
- * The io helper class encapculates the max packet sizes and otw types.
- * The otw types are read-only for now, this will be reimplemented
- * when it becomes possible to change the otw type in the usrp2.
- */
-class usrp2_io_helper{
-public:
-    usrp2_io_helper(void){
-        //setup rx otw type
-        _rx_otw_type.width = 16;
-        _rx_otw_type.shift = 0;
-        _rx_otw_type.byteorder = uhd::otw_type_t::BO_BIG_ENDIAN;
-
-        //setup tx otw type
-        _tx_otw_type.width = 16;
-        _tx_otw_type.shift = 0;
-        _tx_otw_type.byteorder = uhd::otw_type_t::BO_BIG_ENDIAN;
-    }
-
-    inline size_t get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const{
-        return _max_tx_bytes_per_packet/_tx_otw_type.get_sample_size();
-    }
-
-    inline size_t get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const{
-        return _max_rx_bytes_per_packet/_rx_otw_type.get_sample_size();
-    }
-
-    inline const uhd::otw_type_t &get_rx_otw_type(void) const{
-        return _rx_otw_type;
-    }
-
-    inline const uhd::otw_type_t &get_tx_otw_type(void) const{
-        return _tx_otw_type;
-    }
-
-private:
-    uhd::otw_type_t _rx_otw_type, _tx_otw_type;
-    static const size_t _max_rx_bytes_per_packet = uhd::transport::udp_simple::mtu
-        - uhd::transport::vrt::max_if_hdr_words32*sizeof(boost::uint32_t)
-        - sizeof(uhd::transport::vrt::if_packet_info_t().tlr) //forced to have trailer
-        + sizeof(uhd::transport::vrt::if_packet_info_t().cid) //no class id ever used
-    ;
-    static const size_t _max_tx_bytes_per_packet = uhd::transport::udp_simple::mtu
-        - uhd::transport::vrt::max_if_hdr_words32*sizeof(boost::uint32_t)
-        + sizeof(uhd::transport::vrt::if_packet_info_t().cid) //no class id ever used
-    ;
-};
-
-/*!
  * USRP2 mboard implementation guts:
  * The implementation details are encapsulated here.
  * Handles properties on the mboard, dboard, dsps...
@@ -130,7 +82,11 @@ public:
     typedef boost::shared_ptr<usrp2_mboard_impl> sptr;
 
     //structors
-    usrp2_mboard_impl(size_t index, uhd::transport::udp_simple::sptr, const usrp2_io_helper &);
+    usrp2_mboard_impl(
+        size_t index,
+        uhd::transport::udp_simple::sptr,
+        size_t recv_frame_size
+    );
     ~usrp2_mboard_impl(void);
 
     inline double get_master_clock_freq(void){
@@ -140,7 +96,7 @@ public:
 private:
     size_t _index;
     int _rev_hi, _rev_lo;
-    const usrp2_io_helper &_io_helper;
+    const size_t _recv_frame_size;
 
     //properties for this mboard
     void get(const wax::obj &, wax::obj &);
@@ -233,23 +189,19 @@ public:
     ~usrp2_impl(void);
 
     //the io interface
-    size_t get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const{
-        return _io_helper.get_max_send_samps_per_packet();
-    }
     size_t send(
         const std::vector<const void *> &, size_t,
         const uhd::tx_metadata_t &, const uhd::io_type_t &,
-        uhd::device::send_mode_t
+        uhd::device::send_mode_t, double
     );
-    size_t get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const{
-        return _io_helper.get_max_recv_samps_per_packet();
-    }
     size_t recv(
         const std::vector<void *> &, size_t,
         uhd::rx_metadata_t &, const uhd::io_type_t &,
-        uhd::device::recv_mode_t, size_t
+        uhd::device::recv_mode_t, double
     );
-    bool recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, size_t);
+    size_t get_max_send_samps_per_packet(void) const;
+    size_t get_max_recv_samps_per_packet(void) const;
+    bool recv_async_msg(uhd::async_metadata_t &, double);
 
 private:
     //device properties interface
@@ -262,7 +214,7 @@ private:
 
     //io impl methods and members
     std::vector<uhd::transport::udp_zero_copy::sptr> _data_transports;
-    const usrp2_io_helper _io_helper;
+    uhd::otw_type_t _rx_otw_type, _tx_otw_type;
     UHD_PIMPL_DECL(io_impl) _io_impl;
     void io_init(void);
 };