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

47 files changed, 1126 insertions, 894 deletions

diff --git a/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt b/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
index bbb8812b0..65db3befc 100644
--- a/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/docs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ SET(manual_sources
     dboards.rst
     general.rst
     images.rst
+    transport.rst
     usrp1.rst
     usrp2.rst
 )
diff --git a/host/docs/index.rst b/host/docs/index.rst
index bd55edc0b..7f8129e2d 100644
--- a/host/docs/index.rst
+++ b/host/docs/index.rst
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@ Building the UHD
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 Application Notes
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-* `General App Notes <./general.html>`_
+* `General Application Notes <./general.html>`_
 * `Firmware and FPGA Image Notes <./images.html>`_
-* `USRP1 App Notes <./usrp1.html>`_
-* `USRP2 App Notes <./usrp2.html>`_
-* `Daughterboard App Notes <./dboards.html>`_
+* `USRP1 Application Notes <./usrp1.html>`_
+* `USRP2 Application Notes <./usrp2.html>`_
+* `Daughterboard Application Notes <./dboards.html>`_
+* `Transport Application Notes <./transport.html>`_
 
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 API Documentation
diff --git a/host/docs/transport.rst b/host/docs/transport.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..432db4bb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/docs/transport.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+========================================================================
+UHD - Transport Application Notes
+========================================================================
+
+.. contents:: Table of Contents
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Introduction
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+A transport is the layer between the packet interface and a device IO interface.
+The advanced user can pass optional parameters
+into the underlying transport layer through the device address.
+These optional parameters control how the transport object allocates memory,
+resizes kernel buffers, spawns threads, etc.
+When not spcified, the transport layer will use values for these parameters
+that are known to perform well on a variety of systems.
+The transport parameters are defined below for the various transports in the UHD:
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+UDP transport (ASIO)
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+The UDP transport is implemented with Boost's ASIO library.
+ASIO provides an asynchronous API for user-space sockets.
+The transport implementation allocates a number of buffers
+and submits asynchronous requests for send and receive.
+IO service threads run in the background to process these requests.
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Transport parameters
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+The following parameters can be used to alter the transport's default behavior:
+
+* **recv_frame_size:** The size of a single receive buffer in bytes
+* **num_recv_frames:** The number of receive buffers to allocate
+* **send_frame_size:** The size of a single send buffer in bytes
+* **num_send_frames:** The number of send buffers to allocate
+* **concurrency_hint:** The number of threads to run the IO service
+
+**Note:** num_send_frames and concurrency_hint will not have an effect
+as the asynchronous send implementation is currently disabled.
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Resize socket buffers
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+It may be useful increase the size of the socket buffers to
+move the burden of buffering samples into the kernel, or to
+buffer incoming samples faster than they can be processed.
+However, if your application cannot process samples fast enough,
+no amount of buffering can save you.
+The following parameters can be used to alter socket's buffer sizes:
+
+* **recv_buff_size:** The desired size of the receive buffer in bytes
+* **send_buff_size:** The desired size of the send buffer in bytes
+
+**Note:** Large send buffers tend to decrease transmit performance.
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Linux specific notes
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+On linux, the maximum buffer sizes are capped by the sysctl values
+**net.core.rmem_max** and **net.core.wmem_max**.
+To change the maximum values, run the following commands:
+::
+
+    sudo sysctl -w net.core.rmem_max=<new value>
+    sudo sysctl -w net.core.wmem_max=<new value>
+
+Set the values permanently by editing */etc/sysctl.conf*
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+USB transport (libusb)
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+The USB transport is implemented with libusb.
+Libusb provides an asynchronous API for USB bulk transfers.
+The transport implementation allocates a number of buffers
+and submits asynchronous requests through libusb.
+Event handler threads run in the background to process these requests.
+
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Transport parameters
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+The following parameters can be used to alter the transport's default behavior:
+
+* **recv_frame_size:** The size of a single receive transfers in bytes
+* **num_recv_frames:** The number of simultaneous receive transfers
+* **send_frame_size:** The size of a single send transfers in bytes
+* **num_send_frames:** The number of simultaneous send transfers
+* **concurrency_hint:** The number of threads to run the event handler
diff --git a/host/docs/usrp1.rst b/host/docs/usrp1.rst
index 0baa93a45..3443fd871 100644
--- a/host/docs/usrp1.rst
+++ b/host/docs/usrp1.rst
@@ -60,29 +60,6 @@ Example device address string representations to specify non-standard firmware a
 
     fpga=usrp1_fpga_4rx.rbf, fw=usrp1_fw_custom.ihx
 
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-Change USB transfer parameters
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-The advanced user may manipulate parameters of the usb bulk transfers
-for various reasons, such as lowering latency or increasing buffer size.
-By default, the UHD will use values for these parameters
-that are known to perform well on a variety of systems.
-The following device address parameters can be used to manipulate USB bulk transfers:
-
-* **recv_xfer_size:** the size of each receive bulk transfer in bytes
-* **recv_num_xfers:** the number of simultaneous receive bulk transfers
-* **send_xfer_size:** the size of each send bulk transfer in bytes
-* **send_num_xfers:** the number of simultaneous send bulk transfers
-
-Example usage, set the device address markup string to the following:
-::
-
-    serial=12345678, recv_num_xfers=16
-
-   -- OR --
-
-    serial=12345678, recv_xfer_size=2048, recv_num_xfers=16
-
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Specifying the subdevice to use
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/host/docs/usrp2.rst b/host/docs/usrp2.rst
index 70e5ea28b..1ebab388a 100644
--- a/host/docs/usrp2.rst
+++ b/host/docs/usrp2.rst
@@ -166,47 +166,6 @@ The device address string representation for 2 USRP2s with IPv4 addresses 192.16
     addr=192.168.10.2 192.168.20.2
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Resize the send and receive buffers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-It may be useful increase the size of the socket buffers to
-move the burden of buffering samples into the kernel, or to
-buffer incoming samples faster than they can be processed.
-However, if you application cannot process samples fast enough,
-no amount of buffering can save you.
-
-By default, the UHD will try to resize both the send and receive buffer for optimum performance.
-A warning will be printed on instantiation if the actual buffer size is insufficient.
-See the OS specific notes below:
-
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-OS specific notes
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-On linux, the maximum buffer sizes are capped by the sysctl values
-**net.core.rmem_max** and **net.core.wmem_max**.
-To change the maximum values, run the following commands:
-::
-
-    sudo sysctl -w net.core.rmem_max=<new value>
-    sudo sysctl -w net.core.wmem_max=<new value>
-
-Set the values permanently by editing */etc/sysctl.conf*
-
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-Device address params
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-To manually set the size of the buffers,
-the usrp2 will accept two optional parameters in the device address.
-Each parameter will accept a numeric value for the number of bytes.
-
-* recv_buff_size
-* send_buff_size
-
-Example usage, set the device address markup string to the following:
-::
-
-    addr=192.168.10.2, recv_buff_size=100e6
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Hardware setup notes
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/host/examples/tx_timed_samples.cpp b/host/examples/tx_timed_samples.cpp
index f34c121d5..863446682 100644
--- a/host/examples/tx_timed_samples.cpp
+++ b/host/examples/tx_timed_samples.cpp
@@ -95,8 +95,11 @@ int UHD_SAFE_MAIN(int argc, char *argv[]){
         size_t num_tx_samps = dev->send(
             &buff.front(), samps_to_send, md,
             uhd::io_type_t::COMPLEX_FLOAT32,
-            uhd::device::SEND_MODE_FULL_BUFF
+            uhd::device::SEND_MODE_FULL_BUFF,
+            //send will backup into the host this many seconds before sending:
+            seconds_in_future + 0.1 //timeout (delay before transmit + padding)
         );
+        if (num_tx_samps < samps_to_send) std::cout << "Send timeout..." << std::endl;
         if(verbose) std::cout << std::endl << boost::format("Sent %d samples") % num_tx_samps << std::endl;
     }
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/device.hpp b/host/include/uhd/device.hpp
index 2077cae62..992276928 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/device.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/device.hpp
@@ -41,9 +41,6 @@ public:
     typedef boost::function<device_addrs_t(const device_addr_t &)> find_t;
     typedef boost::function<sptr(const device_addr_t &)> make_t;
 
-    //! A reasonable default timeout for receive
-    static const size_t default_recv_timeout_ms = 100;
-
     /*!
      * Register a device into the discovery and factory system.
      *
@@ -112,12 +109,15 @@ public:
      *
      * This is a blocking call and will not return until the number
      * of samples returned have been read out of each buffer.
+     * Under a timeout condition, the number of samples returned
+     * may be less than the number of samples specified.
      *
      * \param buffs a vector of read-only memory containing IF data
      * \param nsamps_per_buff the number of samples to send, per buffer
      * \param metadata data describing the buffer's contents
      * \param io_type the type of data loaded in the buffer
      * \param send_mode tells send how to unload the buffer
+     * \param timeout the timeout in seconds to wait on a packet
      * \return the number of samples sent
      */
     virtual size_t send(
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ public:
         size_t nsamps_per_buff,
         const tx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
-        send_mode_t send_mode
+        send_mode_t send_mode,
+        double timeout = 0.1
     ) = 0;
 
     /*!
@@ -136,7 +137,8 @@ public:
         size_t nsamps_per_buff,
         const tx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
-        send_mode_t send_mode
+        send_mode_t send_mode,
+        double timeout = 0.1
     );
 
     /*!
@@ -154,7 +156,9 @@ public:
      * See the rx metadata fragment flags and offset fields for details.
      *
      * This is a blocking call and will not return until the number
-     * of samples returned have been written into each buffer or timeout.
+     * of samples returned have been written into each buffer.
+     * Under a timeout condition, the number of samples returned
+     * may be less than the number of samples specified.
      *
      * When using the full buffer recv mode, the metadata only applies
      * to the first packet received and written into the recv buffers.
@@ -165,7 +169,7 @@ public:
      * \param metadata data to fill describing the buffer
      * \param io_type the type of data to fill into the buffer
      * \param recv_mode tells recv how to load the buffer
-     * \param timeout_ms the timeout in milliseconds to wait for a packet
+     * \param timeout the timeout in seconds to wait for a packet
      * \return the number of samples received or 0 on error
      */
     virtual size_t recv(
@@ -174,7 +178,7 @@ public:
         rx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
         recv_mode_t recv_mode,
-        size_t timeout_ms = default_recv_timeout_ms
+        double timeout = 0.1
     ) = 0;
 
     /*!
@@ -186,7 +190,7 @@ public:
         rx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
         recv_mode_t recv_mode,
-        size_t timeout_ms = default_recv_timeout_ms
+        double timeout = 0.1
     );
 
     /*!
@@ -204,12 +208,11 @@ public:
     /*!
      * Receive and asynchronous message from the device.
      * \param async_metadata the metadata to be filled in
-     * \param timeout_ms the timeout in milliseconds to wait for a message
+     * \param timeout the timeout in seconds to wait for a message
      * \return true when the async_metadata is valid, false for timeout
      */
     virtual bool recv_async_msg(
-        async_metadata_t &async_metadata,
-        size_t timeout_ms = default_recv_timeout_ms
+        async_metadata_t &async_metadata, double timeout = 0.1
     ) = 0;
 
 };
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/device.ipp b/host/include/uhd/device.ipp
index 60a3f535d..e2e51ecd0 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/device.ipp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/device.ipp
@@ -25,12 +25,13 @@ namespace uhd{
         size_t nsamps_per_buff,
         const tx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
-        send_mode_t send_mode
+        send_mode_t send_mode,
+        double timeout
     ){
         return this->send(
             std::vector<const void *>(1, buff),
             nsamps_per_buff, metadata,
-            io_type, send_mode
+            io_type, send_mode, timeout
         );
     }
 
@@ -40,12 +41,12 @@ namespace uhd{
         rx_metadata_t &metadata,
         const io_type_t &io_type,
         recv_mode_t recv_mode,
-        size_t timeout_ms
+        double timeout
     ){
         return this->recv(
             std::vector<void *>(1, buff),
             nsamps_per_buff, metadata,
-            io_type, recv_mode, timeout_ms
+            io_type, recv_mode, timeout
         );
     }
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.hpp
index 29ba74efc..f44a037f8 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.hpp
@@ -48,20 +48,17 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
          * \return true if the element fit without popping for space
          */
         virtual bool push_with_pop_on_full(
-            const elem_type &elem,
-            const seq_type &seq,
-            size_t index
+            const elem_type &elem, const seq_type &seq, size_t index
         ) = 0;
 
         /*!
          * Pop an aligned set of elements from this alignment buffer.
          * \param elems a collection to store the aligned elements
-         * \param time the timeout time
+         * \param timeout the timeout in seconds
          * \return false when the operation times out
          */
         virtual bool pop_elems_with_timed_wait(
-            std::vector<elem_type> &elems,
-            const time_duration_t &time
+            std::vector<elem_type> &elems, double timeout
         ) = 0;
     };
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.ipp b/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.ipp
index 61b3b60f5..833b5d399 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.ipp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/alignment_buffer.ipp
@@ -41,9 +41,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
         }
 
         UHD_INLINE bool push_with_pop_on_full(
-            const elem_type &elem,
-            const seq_type &seq,
-            size_t index
+            const elem_type &elem, const seq_type &seq, size_t index
         ){
             //clear the buffer for this index if the seqs are mis-ordered
             if (seq < _last_seqs[index]){
@@ -54,17 +52,16 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
         }
 
         UHD_INLINE bool pop_elems_with_timed_wait(
-            std::vector<elem_type> &elems,
-            const time_duration_t &time
+            std::vector<elem_type> &elems, double timeout
         ){
-            boost::system_time exit_time = boost::get_system_time() + time;
+            boost::system_time exit_time = boost::get_system_time() + to_time_dur(timeout);
             buff_contents_type buff_contents_tmp;
             std::list<size_t> indexes_to_do(_all_indexes);
 
             //do an initial pop to load an initial sequence id
             size_t index = indexes_to_do.front();
             if (not _buffs[index]->pop_with_timed_wait(
-                buff_contents_tmp, exit_time - boost::get_system_time()
+                buff_contents_tmp, from_time_dur(exit_time - boost::get_system_time())
             )) return false;
             elems[index] = buff_contents_tmp.first;
             seq_type expected_seq_id = buff_contents_tmp.second;
@@ -79,7 +76,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
                     indexes_to_do = _all_indexes;
                     index = indexes_to_do.front();
                     if (not _buffs[index]->pop_with_timed_wait(
-                        buff_contents_tmp, exit_time - boost::get_system_time()
+                        buff_contents_tmp, from_time_dur(exit_time - boost::get_system_time())
                     )) return false;
                     elems[index] = buff_contents_tmp.first;
                     expected_seq_id = buff_contents_tmp.second;
@@ -89,7 +86,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
                 //pop an element off for this index
                 index = indexes_to_do.front();
                 if (not _buffs[index]->pop_with_timed_wait(
-                    buff_contents_tmp, exit_time - boost::get_system_time()
+                    buff_contents_tmp, from_time_dur(exit_time - boost::get_system_time())
                 )) return false;
 
                 //if the sequence id matches:
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp
index d1deece96..aca93b071 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp
@@ -20,13 +20,9 @@
 
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
 #include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
-#include <boost/date_time/posix_time/posix_time_types.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
 
-    //! typedef for the time duration type for wait operations
-    typedef boost::posix_time::time_duration time_duration_t;
-
     /*!
      * Implement a templated bounded buffer:
      * Used for passing elements between threads in a producer-consumer model.
@@ -64,10 +60,10 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
          * Push a new element into the bounded_buffer.
          * Wait until the bounded_buffer becomes non-full or timeout.
          * \param elem the new element to push
-         * \param time the timeout time
+         * \param timeout the timeout in seconds
          * \return false when the operation times out
          */
-        virtual bool push_with_timed_wait(const elem_type &elem, const time_duration_t &time) = 0;
+        virtual bool push_with_timed_wait(const elem_type &elem, double timeout) = 0;
 
         /*!
          * Pop an element from the bounded_buffer.
@@ -80,10 +76,10 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
          * Pop an element from the bounded_buffer.
          * Wait until the bounded_buffer becomes non-empty or timeout.
          * \param elem the element reference pop to
-         * \param time the timeout time
+         * \param timeout the timeout in seconds
          * \return false when the operation times out
          */
-        virtual bool pop_with_timed_wait(elem_type &elem, const time_duration_t &time) = 0;
+        virtual bool pop_with_timed_wait(elem_type &elem, double timeout) = 0;
 
         /*!
          * Clear all elements from the bounded_buffer.
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.ipp b/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.ipp
index e106e229e..edc7faa06 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.ipp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.ipp
@@ -19,17 +19,28 @@
 #define INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_BOUNDED_BUFFER_IPP
 
 #include <boost/bind.hpp>
+#include <boost/function.hpp>
 #include <boost/circular_buffer.hpp>
 #include <boost/thread/condition.hpp>
+#include <boost/date_time/posix_time/posix_time_types.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
 
+    static UHD_INLINE boost::posix_time::time_duration to_time_dur(double timeout){
+        return boost::posix_time::microseconds(long(timeout*1e6));
+    }
+
+    static UHD_INLINE double from_time_dur(const boost::posix_time::time_duration &time_dur){
+        return 1e-6*time_dur.total_microseconds();
+    }
+
     template <typename elem_type>
     class bounded_buffer_impl : public bounded_buffer<elem_type>{
     public:
 
         bounded_buffer_impl(size_t capacity) : _buffer(capacity){
-            /* NOP */
+            _not_full_fcn = boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_full, this);
+            _not_empty_fcn = boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_empty, this);
         }
 
         UHD_INLINE bool push_with_pop_on_full(const elem_type &elem){
@@ -51,15 +62,17 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
 
         UHD_INLINE void push_with_wait(const elem_type &elem){
             boost::unique_lock<boost::mutex> lock(_mutex);
-            _full_cond.wait(lock, boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_full, this));
+            _full_cond.wait(lock, _not_full_fcn);
             _buffer.push_front(elem);
             lock.unlock();
             _empty_cond.notify_one();
         }
 
-        bool push_with_timed_wait(const elem_type &elem, const time_duration_t &time){
+        UHD_INLINE bool push_with_timed_wait(const elem_type &elem, double timeout){
             boost::unique_lock<boost::mutex> lock(_mutex);
-            if (not _full_cond.timed_wait(lock, time, boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_full, this))) return false;
+            if (not _full_cond.timed_wait(
+                lock, to_time_dur(timeout), _not_full_fcn
+            )) return false;
             _buffer.push_front(elem);
             lock.unlock();
             _empty_cond.notify_one();
@@ -68,16 +81,18 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
 
         UHD_INLINE void pop_with_wait(elem_type &elem){
             boost::unique_lock<boost::mutex> lock(_mutex);
-            _empty_cond.wait(lock, boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_empty, this));
-            elem = _buffer.back(); _buffer.pop_back();
+            _empty_cond.wait(lock, _not_empty_fcn);
+            elem = this->pop_back();
             lock.unlock();
             _full_cond.notify_one();
         }
 
-        bool pop_with_timed_wait(elem_type &elem, const time_duration_t &time){
+        UHD_INLINE bool pop_with_timed_wait(elem_type &elem, double timeout){
             boost::unique_lock<boost::mutex> lock(_mutex);
-            if (not _empty_cond.timed_wait(lock, time, boost::bind(&bounded_buffer_impl<elem_type>::not_empty, this))) return false;
-            elem = _buffer.back(); _buffer.pop_back();
+            if (not _empty_cond.timed_wait(
+                lock, to_time_dur(timeout), _not_empty_fcn
+            )) return false;
+            elem = this->pop_back();
             lock.unlock();
             _full_cond.notify_one();
             return true;
@@ -85,7 +100,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
 
         UHD_INLINE void clear(void){
             boost::unique_lock<boost::mutex> lock(_mutex);
-            while (not_empty()) _buffer.pop_back();
+            while (not_empty()) this->pop_back();
             lock.unlock();
             _full_cond.notify_one();
         }
@@ -97,6 +112,21 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{ namespace{ /*anon*/
 
         bool not_full(void) const{return not _buffer.full();}
         bool not_empty(void) const{return not _buffer.empty();}
+
+        boost::function<bool(void)> _not_full_fcn, _not_empty_fcn;
+
+        /*!
+         * Three part operation to pop an element:
+         * 1) assign elem to the back element
+         * 2) assign the back element to empty
+         * 3) pop the back to move the counter
+         */
+        UHD_INLINE elem_type pop_back(void){
+            elem_type elem = _buffer.back();
+            _buffer.back() = elem_type();
+            _buffer.pop_back();
+            return elem;
+        }
     };
 }}} //namespace
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/udp_zero_copy.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/udp_zero_copy.hpp
index 818709973..bbba97b21 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/udp_zero_copy.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/udp_zero_copy.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
 #include <uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp>
+#include <uhd/types/device_addr.hpp>
 #include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
@@ -50,14 +51,12 @@ public:
      *
      * \param addr a string representing the destination address
      * \param port a string representing the destination port
-     * \param recv_buff_size size in bytes for the recv buffer, 0 for automatic
-     * \param send_buff_size size in bytes for the send buffer, 0 for automatic
+     * \param hints optional parameters to pass to the underlying transport
      */
     static sptr make(
         const std::string &addr,
         const std::string &port,
-        size_t recv_buff_size = 0,
-        size_t send_buff_size = 0
+        const device_addr_t &hints = device_addr_t()
     );
 };
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_control.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_control.hpp
index f9829c3ec..e6c32f78e 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_control.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_control.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 #ifndef INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_USB_CONTROL_HPP
 #define INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_USB_CONTROL_HPP
 
-#include "usb_device_handle.hpp"
+#include <uhd/transport/usb_device_handle.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd { namespace transport {
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp
index 61bf380ba..b39171fba 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp
@@ -18,8 +18,9 @@
 #ifndef INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_USB_ZERO_COPY_HPP
 #define INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_USB_ZERO_COPY_HPP
 
-#include "usb_device_handle.hpp"
+#include <uhd/transport/usb_device_handle.hpp>
 #include <uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp>
+#include <uhd/types/device_addr.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd { namespace transport {
 
@@ -47,19 +48,13 @@ public:
      * \param handle a device handle that uniquely identifying the device
      * \param recv_endpoint an integer specifiying an IN endpoint number
      * \param send_endpoint an integer specifiying an OUT endpoint number
-     * \param recv_xfer_size the number of bytes for each receive transfer
-     * \param recv_num_xfers the number of simultaneous receive transfers
-     * \param send_xfer_size the number of bytes for each send transfer
-     * \param send_num_xfers the number of simultaneous send transfers
+     * \param hints optional parameters to pass to the underlying transport
      */
     static sptr make(
         usb_device_handle::sptr handle,
-        unsigned int recv_endpoint,
-        unsigned int send_endpoint,
-        size_t recv_xfer_size = 0,
-        size_t recv_num_xfers = 0,
-        size_t send_xfer_size = 0,
-        size_t send_num_xfers = 0
+        size_t recv_endpoint,
+        size_t send_endpoint,
+        const device_addr_t &hints = device_addr_t()
     );
 };
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp b/host/include/uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp
index 8ecafd3fb..7d8fb4b83 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@
 #define INCLUDED_UHD_TRANSPORT_ZERO_COPY_HPP
 
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
-#include <uhd/utils/pimpl.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/buffer.hpp>
 #include <boost/utility.hpp>
 #include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
+#include <boost/function.hpp>
 
 namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
 
@@ -34,14 +34,27 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
     class UHD_API managed_recv_buffer : boost::noncopyable{
     public:
         typedef boost::shared_ptr<managed_recv_buffer> sptr;
+        typedef boost::function<void(void)> release_fcn_t;
+
+        /*!
+         * Make a safe managed receive buffer:
+         * A safe managed buffer ensures that release is called once,
+         * either by the user or automatically upon deconstruction.
+         * \param buff a reference to the constant buffer
+         * \param release_fcn callback to release the memory
+         * \return a new managed receive buffer
+         */
+        static sptr make_safe(
+            const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff,
+            const release_fcn_t &release_fcn
+        );
 
         /*!
-         * Managed recv buffer destructor:
          * Signal to the transport that we are done with the buffer.
-         * This should be called to release the buffer to the transport.
+         * This should be called to release the buffer to the transport object.
          * After calling, the referenced memory should be considered invalid.
          */
-        virtual ~managed_recv_buffer(void) = 0;
+        virtual void release(void) = 0;
 
         /*!
          * Get the size of the underlying buffer.
@@ -71,20 +84,34 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
     /*!
      * A managed send buffer:
      * Contains a reference to transport-managed memory,
-     * and a method to release the memory after writing.
+     * and a method to commit the memory after writing.
      */
     class UHD_API managed_send_buffer : boost::noncopyable{
     public:
         typedef boost::shared_ptr<managed_send_buffer> sptr;
+        typedef boost::function<void(size_t)> commit_fcn_t;
+
+        /*!
+         * Make a safe managed send buffer:
+         * A safe managed buffer ensures that commit is called once,
+         * either by the user or automatically upon deconstruction.
+         * In the later case, the deconstructor will call commit(0).
+         * \param buff a reference to the mutable buffer
+         * \param commit_fcn callback to commit the memory
+         * \return a new managed send buffer
+         */
+        static sptr make_safe(
+            const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff,
+            const commit_fcn_t &commit_fcn
+        );
 
         /*!
          * Signal to the transport that we are done with the buffer.
          * This should be called to commit the write to the transport object.
          * After calling, the referenced memory should be considered invalid.
          * \param num_bytes the number of bytes written into the buffer
-         * \return the number of bytes written, 0 for timeout, negative for error
          */
-        virtual ssize_t commit(size_t num_bytes) = 0;
+        virtual void commit(size_t num_bytes) = 0;
 
         /*!
          * Get the size of the underlying buffer.
@@ -122,105 +149,46 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace transport{
 
         /*!
          * Get a new receive buffer from this transport object.
-         * \param timeout_ms the timeout to get the buffer in ms
+         * \param timeout the timeout to get the buffer in seconds
          * \return a managed buffer, or null sptr on timeout/error
          */
-        virtual managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms) = 0;
+        virtual managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(double timeout = 0.1) = 0;
 
         /*!
-         * Get the maximum number of receive frames:
-         *   The maximum number of valid managed recv buffers,
-         *   or the maximum number of frames in the ring buffer,
-         *   depending upon the underlying implementation.
+         * Get the number of receive frames:
+         * The number of simultaneous receive buffers in use.
          * \return number of frames
          */
         virtual size_t get_num_recv_frames(void) const = 0;
 
         /*!
-         * Get a new send buffer from this transport object.
-         * \return a managed buffer, or null sptr on timeout/error
-         */
-        virtual managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(void) = 0;
-
-        /*!
-         * Get the maximum number of send frames:
-         *   The maximum number of valid managed send buffers,
-         *   or the maximum number of frames in the ring buffer,
-         *   depending upon the underlying implementation.
-         * \return number of frames
-         */
-        virtual size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const = 0;
-
-    };
-
-    /*!
-     * A phony-zero-copy interface for transport objects that
-     * provides a zero-copy interface on top of copying transport.
-     * This interface implements the get managed recv buffer,
-     * the base class must implement the private recv method.
-     */
-    class UHD_API phony_zero_copy_recv_if : public virtual zero_copy_if{
-    public:
-        /*!
-         * Create a phony zero copy recv interface.
-         * \param max_buff_size max buffer size in bytes
+         * Get the size of a receive frame:
+         * The maximum capacity of a single receive buffer.
+         * \return frame size in bytes
          */
-        phony_zero_copy_recv_if(size_t max_buff_size);
-
-        //! destructor
-        virtual ~phony_zero_copy_recv_if(void);
+        virtual size_t get_recv_frame_size(void) const = 0;
 
         /*!
-         * Get a new receive buffer from this transport object.
-         * \param timeout_ms the timeout to get the buffer in ms
+         * Get a new send buffer from this transport object.
+         * \param timeout the timeout to get the buffer in seconds
          * \return a managed buffer, or null sptr on timeout/error
          */
-        managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms);
+        virtual managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(double timeout = 0.1) = 0;
 
-    private:
         /*!
-         * Perform a private copying recv.
-         * \param buff the buffer to write data into
-         * \param timeout_ms the timeout to get the buffer in ms
-         * \return the number of bytes written to buff, 0 for timeout, negative for error
-         */
-        virtual ssize_t recv(const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff, size_t timeout_ms) = 0;
-
-        UHD_PIMPL_DECL(impl) _impl;
-    };
-
-    /*!
-     * A phony-zero-copy interface for transport objects that
-     * provides a zero-copy interface on top of copying transport.
-     * This interface implements the get managed send buffer,
-     * the base class must implement the private send method.
-     */
-    class UHD_API phony_zero_copy_send_if : public virtual zero_copy_if{
-    public:
-        /*!
-         * Create a phony zero copy send interface.
-         * \param max_buff_size max buffer size in bytes
-         */
-        phony_zero_copy_send_if(size_t max_buff_size);
-
-        //! destructor
-        virtual ~phony_zero_copy_send_if(void);
-
-        /*!
-         * Get a new send buffer from this transport object.
-         * \return a managed buffer, or null sptr on timeout/error
+         * Get the number of send frames:
+         * The number of simultaneous send buffers in use.
+         * \return number of frames
          */
-        managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(void);
+        virtual size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const = 0;
 
-    private:
         /*!
-         * Perform a private copying send.
-         * \param buff the buffer to read data from
-         * \return the number of bytes read from buff, 0 for timeout, negative for error
+         * Get the size of a send frame:
+         * The maximum capacity of a single send buffer.
+         * \return frame size in bytes
          */
-        virtual ssize_t send(const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff) = 0;
+        virtual size_t get_send_frame_size(void) const = 0;
 
-        UHD_PIMPL_DECL(impl) _impl;
     };
 
 }} //namespace
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/types/device_addr.hpp b/host/include/uhd/types/device_addr.hpp
index e359d9467..eb3394230 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/types/device_addr.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/types/device_addr.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/dict.hpp>
+#include <boost/lexical_cast.hpp>
+#include <stdexcept>
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
 
@@ -62,6 +64,24 @@ namespace uhd{
          * \return a string with delimiter markup
          */
         std::string to_string(void) const;
+
+        /*!
+         * Lexically cast a parameter to the specified type,
+         * or use the default value if the key is not found.
+         * \param key the key as one of the address parameters
+         * \param def the value to use when key is not present
+         * \return the casted value as type T or the default
+         * \throw error when the parameter cannot be casted
+         */
+        template <typename T> T cast(const std::string &key, const T &def) const{
+            if (not this->has_key(key)) return def;
+            try{
+                return boost::lexical_cast<T>((*this)[key]);
+            }
+            catch(const boost::bad_lexical_cast &){
+                throw std::runtime_error("cannot cast " + key + " = " + (*this)[key]);
+            }
+        }
     };
 
     //handy typedef for a vector of device addresses
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/single_usrp.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/single_usrp.hpp
index 1b89a3620..3cd263bce 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/single_usrp.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/single_usrp.hpp
@@ -57,15 +57,21 @@ public:
      */
     virtual device::sptr get_device(void) = 0;
 
+    /*******************************************************************
+     * Mboard methods
+     ******************************************************************/
     /*!
      * Get a printable name for this usrp.
      * \return a printable string
      */
     virtual std::string get_pp_string(void) = 0;
 
-    /*******************************************************************
-     * Misc
-     ******************************************************************/
+    /*!
+     * Get canonical name for this USRP motherboard.
+     * \return a string representing the name
+     */
+    virtual std::string get_mboard_name(void) = 0;
+
     /*!
      * Gets the current time in the usrp time registers.
      * \return a timespec representing current usrp time
@@ -110,9 +116,16 @@ public:
     /*******************************************************************
      * RX methods
      ******************************************************************/
+    /*!
+     * Set the RX subdevice specification:
+     * The subdev spec maps a physical part of a daughter-board to a channel number.
+     * Set the subdev spec before calling into any methods with a channel number.
+     */
     virtual void set_rx_subdev_spec(const uhd::usrp::subdev_spec_t &spec) = 0;
     virtual uhd::usrp::subdev_spec_t get_rx_subdev_spec(void) = 0;
 
+    virtual std::string get_rx_subdev_name(size_t chan = 0) = 0;
+
     virtual void set_rx_rate(double rate) = 0;
     virtual double get_rx_rate(void) = 0;
 
@@ -143,9 +156,16 @@ public:
     /*******************************************************************
      * TX methods
      ******************************************************************/
+    /*!
+     * Set the TX subdevice specification:
+     * The subdev spec maps a physical part of a daughter-board to a channel number.
+     * Set the subdev spec before calling into any methods with a channel number.
+     */
     virtual void set_tx_subdev_spec(const uhd::usrp::subdev_spec_t &spec) = 0;
     virtual uhd::usrp::subdev_spec_t get_tx_subdev_spec(void) = 0;
 
+    virtual std::string get_tx_subdev_name(size_t chan = 0) = 0;
+
     virtual void set_tx_rate(double rate) = 0;
     virtual double get_tx_rate(void) = 0;
 
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp
index cd07cb7a8..8f096ffe4 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_props.hpp
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
         SUBDEV_PROP_ANTENNA_NAMES     = 'A', //ro, prop_names_t
         SUBDEV_PROP_LO_LOCKED         = 'L', //ro, bool
         SUBDEV_PROP_CONNECTION        = 'c', //ro, subdev_conn_t
+        SUBDEV_PROP_ENABLED           = 'e', //rw, bool
         SUBDEV_PROP_USE_LO_OFFSET     = 'l', //ro, bool
         SUBDEV_PROP_RSSI              = 'R', //ro, float
         SUBDEV_PROP_BANDWIDTH         = 'B'  //rw, double
diff --git a/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp b/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp
index 2f32509b9..5de3bb3b8 100644
--- a/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp
+++ b/host/include/uhd/usrp/subdev_spec.hpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #define INCLUDED_UHD_USRP_SUBDEV_SPEC_HPP
 
 #include <uhd/config.hpp>
+#include <boost/operators.hpp>
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
     /*!
      * A subdevice specification (daughterboard, subdevice) name pairing.
      */
-    struct UHD_API subdev_spec_pair_t{
+    struct UHD_API subdev_spec_pair_t : boost::equality_comparable<subdev_spec_pair_t>{
         //! The daughterboard name
         std::string db_name;
 
@@ -45,6 +46,9 @@ namespace uhd{ namespace usrp{
         );
     };
 
+    //! overloaded comparison operator for subdev_spec_pair_t
+    UHD_API bool operator==(const subdev_spec_pair_t &, const subdev_spec_pair_t &);
+
     /*!
      * A list of (daughterboard name, subdevice name) pairs:
      *
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/CMakeLists.txt b/host/lib/transport/CMakeLists.txt
index 61616d077..b9ec7a6ad 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/host/lib/transport/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ IF(LIBUSB_FOUND)
         INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/transport/msvc)
     ENDIF(MSVC)
     SET(HAVE_USB_SUPPORT TRUE)
+ELSE(LIBUSB_FOUND)
+    LIBUHD_APPEND_SOURCES(
+        ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/transport/usb_dummy_impl.cpp
+    )
 ENDIF(LIBUSB_FOUND)
 
 IF(HAVE_USB_SUPPORT)
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/libusb1_base.cpp b/host/lib/transport/libusb1_base.cpp
index 1dd0b48e8..cfa77d9ca 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/libusb1_base.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/transport/libusb1_base.cpp
@@ -16,12 +16,10 @@
 //
 
 #include "libusb1_base.hpp"
-#include <uhd/utils/thread_priority.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <uhd/types/dict.hpp>
 #include <boost/weak_ptr.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
-#include <boost/thread.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
 
 using namespace uhd;
@@ -35,14 +33,9 @@ public:
     libusb_session_impl(void){
         UHD_ASSERT_THROW(libusb_init(&_context) == 0);
         libusb_set_debug(_context, debug_level);
-        _mutex.lock();
-        _thread_group.create_thread(boost::bind(&libusb_session_impl::run_event_loop, this));
-        _mutex.lock();
     }
 
     ~libusb_session_impl(void){
-        _running = false;
-        _thread_group.join_all();
         libusb_exit(_context);
     }
 
@@ -52,21 +45,6 @@ public:
 
 private:
     libusb_context *_context;
-    boost::thread_group _thread_group;
-    bool _running;
-    boost::mutex _mutex;
-
-    void run_event_loop(void){
-        set_thread_priority_safe();
-        _running = true;
-        timeval tv;
-        _mutex.unlock();
-        while(_running){
-            tv.tv_sec = 0;
-            tv.tv_usec = 100000; //100ms
-            libusb_handle_events_timeout(this->get_context(), &tv);
-        }
-    }
 };
 
 libusb::session::sptr libusb::session::get_global_session(void){
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/libusb1_zero_copy.cpp b/host/lib/transport/libusb1_zero_copy.cpp
index f9beb0b4c..f589d7c77 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/libusb1_zero_copy.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/transport/libusb1_zero_copy.cpp
@@ -18,18 +18,19 @@
 #include "libusb1_base.hpp"
 #include <uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp>
 #include <uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/thread_priority.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <boost/shared_array.hpp>
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include <boost/thread.hpp>
+#include <boost/enable_shared_from_this.hpp>
 #include <vector>
 #include <iostream>
-#include <iomanip>
 
+using namespace uhd;
 using namespace uhd::transport;
 
-const int libusb_timeout = 0;
-
+static const double CLEANUP_TIMEOUT   = 0.2;    //seconds
 static const size_t DEFAULT_NUM_XFERS = 16;     //num xfers
 static const size_t DEFAULT_XFER_SIZE = 32*512; //bytes
 
@@ -84,10 +85,10 @@ public:
      * Get an available transfer:
      * For inputs, this is a just filled transfer.
      * For outputs, this is a just emptied transfer.
-     * \param timeout_ms the timeout to wait for a lut
+     * \param timeout the timeout to wait for a lut
      * \return the transfer pointer or NULL if timeout
      */
-    libusb_transfer *get_lut_with_wait(size_t timeout_ms = 100);
+    libusb_transfer *get_lut_with_wait(double timeout);
 
     //Callback use only
     void callback_handle_transfer(libusb_transfer *lut);
@@ -97,21 +98,18 @@ private:
     int  _endpoint;
     bool _input;
 
-    size_t _transfer_size;
-    size_t _num_transfers;
-
     //! hold a bounded buffer of completed transfers
     typedef bounded_buffer<libusb_transfer *> lut_buff_type;
     lut_buff_type::sptr _completed_list;
 
     //! a list of all transfer structs we allocated
-    std::vector<libusb_transfer *>  _all_luts;
+    std::vector<libusb_transfer *> _all_luts;
 
-    //! a list of shared arrays for the transfer buffers
-    std::vector<boost::shared_array<boost::uint8_t> > _buffers;
+    //! a block of memory for the transfer buffers
+    boost::shared_array<char> _buffer;
 
     // Calls for processing asynchronous I/O
-    libusb_transfer *allocate_transfer(int buff_len);
+    libusb_transfer *allocate_transfer(void *mem, size_t len);
     void print_transfer_status(libusb_transfer *lut);
 };
 
@@ -156,14 +154,12 @@ usb_endpoint::usb_endpoint(
 ):
     _handle(handle),
     _endpoint(endpoint),
-    _input(input),
-    _transfer_size(transfer_size),
-    _num_transfers(num_transfers)
+    _input(input)
 {
     _completed_list = lut_buff_type::make(num_transfers);
-
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < _num_transfers; i++){
-        _all_luts.push_back(allocate_transfer(_transfer_size));
+    _buffer = boost::shared_array<char>(new char[num_transfers*transfer_size]);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < num_transfers; i++){
+        _all_luts.push_back(allocate_transfer(_buffer.get() + i*transfer_size, transfer_size));
 
         //input luts are immediately submitted to be filled
         //output luts go into the completed list as free buffers
@@ -187,7 +183,7 @@ usb_endpoint::~usb_endpoint(void){
     }
 
     //collect canceled transfers (drain the queue)
-    while (this->get_lut_with_wait() != NULL){};
+    while (this->get_lut_with_wait(CLEANUP_TIMEOUT) != NULL){};
 
     //free all transfers
     BOOST_FOREACH(libusb_transfer *lut, _all_luts){
@@ -200,23 +196,23 @@ usb_endpoint::~usb_endpoint(void){
  * Allocate a libusb transfer
  * The allocated transfer - and buffer it contains - is repeatedly
  * submitted, reaped, and reused and should not be freed until shutdown.
- * \param buff_len size of the individual buffer held by each transfer
+ * \param mem a pointer to the buffer memory
+ * \param len size of the individual buffer
  * \return pointer to an allocated libusb_transfer
  */
-libusb_transfer *usb_endpoint::allocate_transfer(int buff_len){
+libusb_transfer *usb_endpoint::allocate_transfer(void *mem, size_t len){
     libusb_transfer *lut = libusb_alloc_transfer(0);
-
-    boost::shared_array<boost::uint8_t> buff(new boost::uint8_t[buff_len]);
-    _buffers.push_back(buff); //store a reference to this shared array
+    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(lut != NULL);
 
     unsigned int endpoint = ((_endpoint & 0x7f) | (_input ? 0x80 : 0));
+    unsigned char *buff = reinterpret_cast<unsigned char *>(mem);
     libusb_transfer_cb_fn lut_callback = libusb_transfer_cb_fn(&callback);
 
     libusb_fill_bulk_transfer(lut,                // transfer
                               _handle->get(),     // dev_handle
                               endpoint,           // endpoint
-                              buff.get(),         // buffer
-                              buff_len,           // length
+                              buff,               // buffer
+                              len,                // length
                               lut_callback,       // callback
                               this,               // user_data
                               0);                 // timeout
@@ -239,6 +235,7 @@ void usb_endpoint::submit(libusb_transfer *lut){
  * \param lut pointer to an libusb_transfer
  */
 void usb_endpoint::print_transfer_status(libusb_transfer *lut){
+    std::cout << "here " << lut->status << std::endl;
     switch (lut->status) {
     case LIBUSB_TRANSFER_COMPLETED:
         if (lut->actual_length < lut->length) {
@@ -274,136 +271,75 @@ void usb_endpoint::print_transfer_status(libusb_transfer *lut){
     }
 }
 
-libusb_transfer *usb_endpoint::get_lut_with_wait(size_t timeout_ms){
+libusb_transfer *usb_endpoint::get_lut_with_wait(double timeout){
     boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
     libusb_transfer *lut;
-    if (_completed_list->pop_with_timed_wait(
-        lut, boost::posix_time::milliseconds(timeout_ms)
-    )) return lut;
+    if (_completed_list->pop_with_timed_wait(lut, timeout)) return lut;
     return NULL;
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
- * Managed buffers
+ * USB zero_copy device class
  **********************************************************************/
-/*
- * Libusb managed receive buffer
- * Construct a recv buffer from a libusb transfer. The memory held by
- * the libusb transfer is exposed through the managed buffer interface.
- * Upon destruction, the transfer and buffer are resubmitted to the
- * endpoint for further use.
- */
-class libusb_managed_recv_buffer_impl : public managed_recv_buffer {
+class libusb_zero_copy_impl : public usb_zero_copy, public boost::enable_shared_from_this<libusb_zero_copy_impl> {
 public:
-    libusb_managed_recv_buffer_impl(libusb_transfer *lut,
-                                    usb_endpoint::sptr endpoint)
-        : _buff(lut->buffer, lut->length)
-    {
-        _lut = lut;
-        _endpoint = endpoint;
-    }
-
-    ~libusb_managed_recv_buffer_impl(void){
-        _endpoint->submit(_lut);
-    }
 
-private:
-    const boost::asio::const_buffer &get(void) const{
-        return _buff;
-    }
-
-    libusb_transfer *_lut;
-    usb_endpoint::sptr _endpoint;
-    const boost::asio::const_buffer _buff;
-};
+    libusb_zero_copy_impl(
+        libusb::device_handle::sptr handle,
+        size_t recv_endpoint,
+        size_t send_endpoint,
+        const device_addr_t &hints
+    );
 
-/*
- * Libusb managed send buffer
- * Construct a send buffer from a libusb transfer. The memory held by
- * the libusb transfer is exposed through the managed buffer interface.
- * Committing the buffer will set the data length and submit the buffer
- * to the endpoint. Submitting a buffer multiple times or destroying
- * the buffer before committing is an error. For the latter, the transfer
- * is returned to the endpoint with no data for reuse.
- */
-class libusb_managed_send_buffer_impl : public managed_send_buffer {
-public:
-    libusb_managed_send_buffer_impl(libusb_transfer *lut,
-                                    usb_endpoint::sptr endpoint)
-        : _buff(lut->buffer, lut->length), _committed(false)
-    {
-        _lut = lut;
-        _endpoint = endpoint;
+    ~libusb_zero_copy_impl(void){
+        _threads_running = false;
+        _thread_group.join_all();
     }
 
-    ~libusb_managed_send_buffer_impl(void){
-        if (!_committed) {
-            _lut->length = 0;
-            _lut->actual_length = 0;
-            _endpoint->submit(_lut);
-        }
-    }
+    managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(double);
+    managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(double);
 
-    ssize_t commit(size_t num_bytes)
-    {
-        if (_committed) {
-            std::cerr << "UHD: send buffer already committed" << std::endl;
-            return 0;
-        }
+    size_t get_num_recv_frames(void) const { return _num_recv_frames; }
+    size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const { return _num_send_frames; }
 
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(num_bytes <= boost::asio::buffer_size(_buff));
+    size_t get_recv_frame_size(void) const { return _recv_frame_size; }
+    size_t get_send_frame_size(void) const { return _send_frame_size; }
 
-        _lut->length = num_bytes;
-        _lut->actual_length = 0;
+private:
+    void release(libusb_transfer *lut){
+        _recv_ep->submit(lut);
+    }
 
+    void commit(libusb_transfer *lut, size_t num_bytes){
+        lut->length = num_bytes;
         try{
-            _endpoint->submit(_lut);
-            _committed = true;
-            return num_bytes;
+            _send_ep->submit(lut);
         }
         catch(const std::exception &e){
             std::cerr << "Error in commit: " << e.what() << std::endl;
-            return -1;
         }
     }
 
-private:
-    const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &get(void) const{
-        return _buff;
-    }
-
-    libusb_transfer *_lut;
-    usb_endpoint::sptr _endpoint;
-    const boost::asio::mutable_buffer _buff;
-    bool _committed;
-};
-
-
-/***********************************************************************
- * USB zero_copy device class
- **********************************************************************/
-class libusb_zero_copy_impl : public usb_zero_copy
-{
-private:
     libusb::device_handle::sptr _handle;
-    size_t _recv_num_frames, _send_num_frames;
+    const size_t _recv_frame_size, _num_recv_frames;
+    const size_t _send_frame_size, _num_send_frames;
     usb_endpoint::sptr _recv_ep, _send_ep;
 
-public:
-    typedef boost::shared_ptr<libusb_zero_copy_impl> sptr;
-
-    libusb_zero_copy_impl(
-        libusb::device_handle::sptr handle,
-        unsigned int recv_endpoint, unsigned int send_endpoint,
-        size_t recv_xfer_size, size_t recv_num_xfers,
-        size_t send_xfer_size, size_t send_num_xfers
-    );
-
-    managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms);
-    managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(void);
-
-    size_t get_num_recv_frames(void) const { return _recv_num_frames; }
-    size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const { return _send_num_frames; }
+    //event handler threads
+    boost::thread_group _thread_group;
+    bool _threads_running;
+
+    void run_event_loop(void){
+        set_thread_priority_safe();
+        libusb::session::sptr session = libusb::session::get_global_session();
+        _threads_running = true;
+        while(_threads_running){
+            timeval tv;
+            tv.tv_sec = 0;
+            tv.tv_usec = 100000; //100ms
+            libusb_handle_events_timeout(session->get_context(), &tv);
+        }
+    }
 };
 
 /*
@@ -413,26 +349,16 @@ public:
  */
 libusb_zero_copy_impl::libusb_zero_copy_impl(
     libusb::device_handle::sptr handle,
-    unsigned int recv_endpoint, unsigned int send_endpoint,
-    size_t recv_xfer_size, size_t recv_num_xfers,
-    size_t send_xfer_size, size_t send_num_xfers
-){
-    _handle = handle;
-
-    //if the sizes are left at 0 (automatic) -> use the defaults
-    if (recv_xfer_size == 0) recv_xfer_size = DEFAULT_XFER_SIZE;
-    if (recv_num_xfers == 0) recv_num_xfers = DEFAULT_NUM_XFERS;
-    if (send_xfer_size == 0) send_xfer_size = DEFAULT_XFER_SIZE;
-    if (send_num_xfers == 0) send_num_xfers = DEFAULT_NUM_XFERS;
-
-    //sanity check the transfer sizes
-    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(recv_xfer_size % 512 == 0);
-    UHD_ASSERT_THROW(send_xfer_size % 512 == 0);
-
-    //store the num xfers for the num frames count
-    _recv_num_frames = recv_num_xfers;
-    _send_num_frames = send_num_xfers;
-
+    size_t recv_endpoint,
+    size_t send_endpoint,
+    const device_addr_t &hints
+):
+    _handle(handle),
+    _recv_frame_size(size_t(hints.cast<double>("recv_frame_size", DEFAULT_XFER_SIZE))),
+    _num_recv_frames(size_t(hints.cast<double>("num_recv_frames", DEFAULT_NUM_XFERS))),
+    _send_frame_size(size_t(hints.cast<double>("send_frame_size", DEFAULT_XFER_SIZE))),
+    _num_send_frames(size_t(hints.cast<double>("num_send_frames", DEFAULT_NUM_XFERS)))
+{
     _handle->claim_interface(2 /*in interface*/);
     _handle->claim_interface(1 /*out interface*/);
 
@@ -440,17 +366,23 @@ libusb_zero_copy_impl::libusb_zero_copy_impl(
                               _handle,         // libusb device_handle
                               recv_endpoint,   // USB endpoint number
                               true,            // IN endpoint
-                              recv_xfer_size,  // buffer size per transfer
-                              recv_num_xfers   // number of libusb transfers
+                              this->get_recv_frame_size(),  // buffer size per transfer
+                              this->get_num_recv_frames()   // number of libusb transfers
     ));
 
     _send_ep = usb_endpoint::sptr(new usb_endpoint(
                               _handle,         // libusb device_handle
                               send_endpoint,   // USB endpoint number
                               false,           // OUT endpoint
-                              send_xfer_size,  // buffer size per transfer
-                              send_num_xfers   // number of libusb transfers
+                              this->get_send_frame_size(),  // buffer size per transfer
+                              this->get_num_send_frames()   // number of libusb transfers
     ));
+
+    //spawn the event handler threads
+    size_t concurrency = hints.cast<size_t>("concurrency_hint", 1);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < concurrency; i++) _thread_group.create_thread(
+        boost::bind(&libusb_zero_copy_impl::run_event_loop, this)
+    );
 }
 
 /*
@@ -459,15 +391,16 @@ libusb_zero_copy_impl::libusb_zero_copy_impl(
  * Return empty pointer if no transfer is available (timeout or error).
  * \return pointer to a managed receive buffer
  */
-managed_recv_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms){
-    libusb_transfer *lut = _recv_ep->get_lut_with_wait(timeout_ms);
+managed_recv_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_recv_buff(double timeout){
+    libusb_transfer *lut = _recv_ep->get_lut_with_wait(timeout);
     if (lut == NULL) {
         return managed_recv_buffer::sptr();
     }
     else {
-        return managed_recv_buffer::sptr(
-            new libusb_managed_recv_buffer_impl(lut,
-                                                _recv_ep));
+        return managed_recv_buffer::make_safe(
+            boost::asio::const_buffer(lut->buffer, lut->actual_length),
+            boost::bind(&libusb_zero_copy_impl::release, shared_from_this(), lut)
+        );
     }
 }
 
@@ -478,15 +411,16 @@ managed_recv_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms
  * (timeout or error).
  * \return pointer to a managed send buffer
  */
-managed_send_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_send_buff(void){
-    libusb_transfer *lut = _send_ep->get_lut_with_wait(/* TODO timeout API */);
+managed_send_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_send_buff(double timeout){
+    libusb_transfer *lut = _send_ep->get_lut_with_wait(timeout);
     if (lut == NULL) {
         return managed_send_buffer::sptr();
     }
     else {
-        return managed_send_buffer::sptr(
-            new libusb_managed_send_buffer_impl(lut,
-                                                _send_ep));
+        return managed_send_buffer::make_safe(
+            boost::asio::mutable_buffer(lut->buffer, this->get_send_frame_size()),
+            boost::bind(&libusb_zero_copy_impl::commit, shared_from_this(), lut, _1)
+        );
     }
 }
 
@@ -494,18 +428,15 @@ managed_send_buffer::sptr libusb_zero_copy_impl::get_send_buff(void){
  * USB zero_copy make functions
  **********************************************************************/
 usb_zero_copy::sptr usb_zero_copy::make(
-	usb_device_handle::sptr handle,
-    unsigned int recv_endpoint, unsigned int send_endpoint,
-	size_t recv_xfer_size, size_t recv_num_xfers,
-	size_t send_xfer_size, size_t send_num_xfers
+    usb_device_handle::sptr handle,
+    size_t recv_endpoint,
+    size_t send_endpoint,
+    const device_addr_t &hints
 ){
     libusb::device_handle::sptr dev_handle(libusb::device_handle::get_cached_handle(
         boost::static_pointer_cast<libusb::special_handle>(handle)->get_device()
     ));
     return sptr(new libusb_zero_copy_impl(
-		dev_handle,
-		recv_endpoint,  send_endpoint,
-		recv_xfer_size, recv_num_xfers,
-		send_xfer_size, send_num_xfers
+        dev_handle, recv_endpoint, send_endpoint, hints
     ));
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/udp_zero_copy_asio.cpp b/host/lib/transport/udp_zero_copy_asio.cpp
index 0a6c9f2af..d84aeefdd 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/udp_zero_copy_asio.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/transport/udp_zero_copy_asio.cpp
@@ -17,25 +17,59 @@
 
 #include <uhd/transport/udp_zero_copy.hpp>
 #include <uhd/transport/udp_simple.hpp> //mtu
+#include <uhd/transport/bounded_buffer.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/thread_priority.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/assert.hpp>
 #include <uhd/utils/warning.hpp>
-#include <boost/cstdint.hpp>
+#include <boost/shared_array.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio.hpp>
 #include <boost/format.hpp>
+#include <boost/thread.hpp>
+#include <boost/enable_shared_from_this.hpp>
 #include <iostream>
 
+using namespace uhd;
 using namespace uhd::transport;
+namespace asio = boost::asio;
 
 /***********************************************************************
  * Constants
  **********************************************************************/
+//Define this to the the boost async io calls to perform receive.
+//Otherwise, get_recv_buff uses a blocking receive with timeout.
+//#define USE_ASIO_ASYNC_RECV
+
+//Define this to the the boost async io calls to perform send.
+//Otherwise, the commit callback uses a blocking send.
+//#define USE_ASIO_ASYNC_SEND
+
 //enough buffering for half a second of samples at full rate on usrp2
-static const size_t MIN_RECV_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE = size_t(sizeof(boost::uint32_t) * 25e6 * 0.5);
+static const size_t MIN_RECV_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE = size_t(4 * 25e6 * 0.5);
+
 //Large buffers cause more underflow at high rates.
 //Perhaps this is due to the kernel scheduling,
 //but may change with host-based flow control.
 static const size_t MIN_SEND_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE = size_t(10e3);
 
+//The number of async frames to allocate for each send and recv:
+//The non-async recv can have a very large number of recv frames
+//because the CPU overhead is independent of the number of frames.
+#ifdef USE_ASIO_ASYNC_RECV
+static const size_t DEFAULT_NUM_RECV_FRAMES = 32;
+#else
+static const size_t DEFAULT_NUM_RECV_FRAMES = MIN_RECV_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE/udp_simple::mtu;
+#endif
+//The non-async send only ever requires a single frame
+//because the buffer will be committed before a new get.
+#ifdef USE_ASIO_ASYNC_SEND
+static const size_t DEFAULT_NUM_SEND_FRAMES = 32;
+#else
+static const size_t DEFAULT_NUM_SEND_FRAMES = MIN_SEND_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE/udp_simple::mtu;;
+#endif
+
+//a single concurrent thread for io_service seems to be the fastest
+static const size_t CONCURRENCY_HINT = 1;
+
 /***********************************************************************
  * Zero Copy UDP implementation with ASIO:
  *   This is the portable zero copy implementation for systems
@@ -43,39 +77,68 @@ static const size_t MIN_SEND_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE = size_t(10e3);
  *   However, it is not a true zero copy implementation as each
  *   send and recv requires a copy operation to/from userspace.
  **********************************************************************/
-class udp_zero_copy_impl:
-    public phony_zero_copy_recv_if,
-    public phony_zero_copy_send_if,
-    public udp_zero_copy
-{
+class udp_zero_copy_asio_impl : public udp_zero_copy, public boost::enable_shared_from_this<udp_zero_copy_asio_impl> {
 public:
-    typedef boost::shared_ptr<udp_zero_copy_impl> sptr;
+    typedef boost::shared_ptr<udp_zero_copy_asio_impl> sptr;
 
-    udp_zero_copy_impl(
+    udp_zero_copy_asio_impl(
         const std::string &addr,
-        const std::string &port
+        const std::string &port,
+        const device_addr_t &hints
     ):
-        phony_zero_copy_recv_if(udp_simple::mtu),
-        phony_zero_copy_send_if(udp_simple::mtu)
+        _io_service(hints.cast<size_t>("concurrency_hint", CONCURRENCY_HINT)),
+        _recv_frame_size(size_t(hints.cast<double>("recv_frame_size", udp_simple::mtu))),
+        _num_recv_frames(size_t(hints.cast<double>("num_recv_frames", DEFAULT_NUM_RECV_FRAMES))),
+        _send_frame_size(size_t(hints.cast<double>("send_frame_size", udp_simple::mtu))),
+        _num_send_frames(size_t(hints.cast<double>("num_send_frames", DEFAULT_NUM_SEND_FRAMES)))
     {
         //std::cout << boost::format("Creating udp transport for %s %s") % addr % port << std::endl;
 
-        // resolve the address
-        boost::asio::ip::udp::resolver resolver(_io_service);
-        boost::asio::ip::udp::resolver::query query(boost::asio::ip::udp::v4(), addr, port);
-        boost::asio::ip::udp::endpoint receiver_endpoint = *resolver.resolve(query);
+        //resolve the address
+        asio::ip::udp::resolver resolver(_io_service);
+        asio::ip::udp::resolver::query query(asio::ip::udp::v4(), addr, port);
+        asio::ip::udp::endpoint receiver_endpoint = *resolver.resolve(query);
 
-        // create, open, and connect the socket
-        _socket = new boost::asio::ip::udp::socket(_io_service);
-        _socket->open(boost::asio::ip::udp::v4());
+        //create, open, and connect the socket
+        _socket = new asio::ip::udp::socket(_io_service);
+        _socket->open(asio::ip::udp::v4());
         _socket->connect(receiver_endpoint);
         _sock_fd = _socket->native();
     }
 
-    ~udp_zero_copy_impl(void){
+    ~udp_zero_copy_asio_impl(void){
+        delete _work; //allow io_service run to complete
+        _thread_group.join_all(); //wait for service threads to exit
         delete _socket;
     }
 
+    void init(void){
+        //allocate all recv frames and release them to begin xfers
+        _pending_recv_buffs = pending_buffs_type::make(_num_recv_frames);
+        _recv_buffer = boost::shared_array<char>(new char[_num_recv_frames*_recv_frame_size]);
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < _num_recv_frames; i++){
+            release(_recv_buffer.get() + i*_recv_frame_size);
+        }
+
+        //allocate all send frames and push them into the fifo
+        _pending_send_buffs = pending_buffs_type::make(_num_send_frames);
+        _send_buffer = boost::shared_array<char>(new char[_num_send_frames*_send_frame_size]);
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < _num_send_frames; i++){
+            handle_send(_send_buffer.get() + i*_send_frame_size);
+        }
+
+        //spawn the service threads that will run the io service
+        _work = new asio::io_service::work(_io_service); //new work to delete later
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < CONCURRENCY_HINT; i++) _thread_group.create_thread(
+            boost::bind(&udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::service, this)
+        );
+    }
+
+    void service(void){
+        set_thread_priority_safe();
+        _io_service.run();
+    }
+
     //get size for internal socket buffer
     template <typename Opt> size_t get_buff_size(void) const{
         Opt option;
@@ -90,60 +153,165 @@ public:
         return get_buff_size<Opt>();
     }
 
+    //! handle a recv callback -> push the filled memory into the fifo
+    UHD_INLINE void handle_recv(void *mem, size_t len){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        _pending_recv_buffs->push_with_wait(boost::asio::buffer(mem, len));
+    }
 
-    //The number of frames is approximately the buffer size divided by the max datagram size.
-    //In reality, this is a phony zero-copy interface and the number of frames is infinite.
-    //However, its sensible to advertise a frame count that is approximate to buffer size.
-    //This way, the transport caller will have an idea about how much buffering to create.
-
-    size_t get_num_recv_frames(void) const{
-        return this->get_buff_size<boost::asio::socket_base::receive_buffer_size>()/udp_simple::mtu;
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #ifdef USE_ASIO_ASYNC_RECV
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    //! pop a filled recv buffer off of the fifo and bind with the release callback
+    managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(double timeout){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        asio::mutable_buffer buff;
+        if (_pending_recv_buffs->pop_with_timed_wait(buff, timeout)){
+            return managed_recv_buffer::make_safe(
+                buff, boost::bind(
+                    &udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::release,
+                    shared_from_this(),
+                    asio::buffer_cast<void*>(buff)
+                )
+            );
+        }
+        return managed_recv_buffer::sptr();
     }
 
-    size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const{
-        return this->get_buff_size<boost::asio::socket_base::send_buffer_size>()/udp_simple::mtu;
+    //! release a recv buffer -> start an async recv on the buffer
+    void release(void *mem){
+        _socket->async_receive(
+            boost::asio::buffer(mem, this->get_recv_frame_size()),
+            boost::bind(
+                &udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::handle_recv,
+                shared_from_this(), mem,
+                asio::placeholders::bytes_transferred
+            )
+        );
     }
 
-private:
-    boost::asio::ip::udp::socket   *_socket;
-    boost::asio::io_service        _io_service;
-    int                            _sock_fd;
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #else /*USE_ASIO_ASYNC_RECV*/
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    managed_recv_buffer::sptr get_recv_buff(double timeout){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        asio::mutable_buffer buff;
 
-    ssize_t recv(const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff, size_t timeout_ms){
         //setup timeval for timeout
         timeval tv;
         tv.tv_sec = 0;
-        tv.tv_usec = timeout_ms*1000;
+        tv.tv_usec = long(timeout*1e6);
 
         //setup rset for timeout
         fd_set rset;
         FD_ZERO(&rset);
         FD_SET(_sock_fd, &rset);
 
-        //call select to perform timed wait
-        if (::select(_sock_fd+1, &rset, NULL, NULL, &tv) <= 0) return 0;
+        //call select to perform timed wait and grab an available buffer with wait
+        //if the condition is true, call receive and return the managed buffer
+        if (
+            ::select(_sock_fd+1, &rset, NULL, NULL, &tv) > 0 and
+            _pending_recv_buffs->pop_with_timed_wait(buff, timeout)
+        ){
+            return managed_recv_buffer::make_safe(
+                asio::buffer(
+                    boost::asio::buffer_cast<void *>(buff),
+                    _socket->receive(asio::buffer(buff))
+                ),
+                boost::bind(
+                    &udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::release,
+                    shared_from_this(),
+                    asio::buffer_cast<void*>(buff)
+                )
+            );
+        }
+        return managed_recv_buffer::sptr();
+    }
+
+    void release(void *mem){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        handle_recv(mem, this->get_recv_frame_size());
+    }
 
-        return ::recv(
-            _sock_fd,
-            boost::asio::buffer_cast<char *>(buff),
-            boost::asio::buffer_size(buff), 0
-        );
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #endif /*USE_ASIO_ASYNC_RECV*/
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+    size_t get_num_recv_frames(void) const {return _num_recv_frames;}
+    size_t get_recv_frame_size(void) const {return _recv_frame_size;}
+
+    //! handle a send callback -> push the emptied memory into the fifo
+    UHD_INLINE void handle_send(void *mem){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        _pending_send_buffs->push_with_wait(boost::asio::buffer(mem, this->get_send_frame_size()));
     }
 
-    ssize_t send(const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff){
-        return ::send(
-            _sock_fd,
-            boost::asio::buffer_cast<const char *>(buff),
-            boost::asio::buffer_size(buff), 0
+    //! pop an empty send buffer off of the fifo and bind with the commit callback
+    managed_send_buffer::sptr get_send_buff(double timeout){
+        boost::this_thread::disable_interruption di; //disable because the wait can throw
+        asio::mutable_buffer buff;
+        if (_pending_send_buffs->pop_with_timed_wait(buff, timeout)){
+            return managed_send_buffer::make_safe(
+                buff, boost::bind(
+                    &udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::commit,
+                    shared_from_this(),
+                    asio::buffer_cast<void*>(buff), _1
+                )
+            );
+        }
+        return managed_send_buffer::sptr();
+    }
+
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #ifdef USE_ASIO_ASYNC_SEND
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    //! commit a send buffer -> start an async send on the buffer
+    void commit(void *mem, size_t len){
+        _socket->async_send(
+            boost::asio::buffer(mem, len),
+            boost::bind(
+                &udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::handle_send,
+                shared_from_this(), mem
+            )
         );
     }
+
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #else /*USE_ASIO_ASYNC_SEND*/
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    void commit(void *mem, size_t len){
+        _socket->send(asio::buffer(mem, len));
+        handle_send(mem);
+    }
+
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+    #endif /*USE_ASIO_ASYNC_SEND*/
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+    size_t get_num_send_frames(void) const {return _num_send_frames;}
+    size_t get_send_frame_size(void) const {return _send_frame_size;}
+
+private:
+    //asio guts -> socket and service
+    asio::ip::udp::socket   *_socket;
+    asio::io_service        _io_service;
+    asio::io_service::work  *_work;
+    int                     _sock_fd;
+
+    //memory management -> buffers and fifos
+    boost::thread_group _thread_group;
+    boost::shared_array<char> _send_buffer, _recv_buffer;
+    typedef bounded_buffer<asio::mutable_buffer> pending_buffs_type;
+    pending_buffs_type::sptr _pending_recv_buffs, _pending_send_buffs;
+    const size_t _recv_frame_size, _num_recv_frames;
+    const size_t _send_frame_size, _num_send_frames;
 };
 
 /***********************************************************************
  * UDP zero copy make function
  **********************************************************************/
 template<typename Opt> static void resize_buff_helper(
-    udp_zero_copy_impl::sptr udp_trans,
+    udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::sptr udp_trans,
     size_t target_size,
     const std::string &name
 ){
@@ -151,6 +319,13 @@ template<typename Opt> static void resize_buff_helper(
     if (name == "recv") min_sock_buff_size = MIN_RECV_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE;
     if (name == "send") min_sock_buff_size = MIN_SEND_SOCK_BUFF_SIZE;
 
+    std::string help_message;
+    #if defined(UHD_PLATFORM_LINUX)
+        help_message = str(boost::format(
+            "Please run: sudo sysctl -w net.core.%smem_max=%d\n"
+        ) % ((name == "recv")?"r":"w") % min_sock_buff_size);
+    #endif /*defined(UHD_PLATFORM_LINUX)*/
+
     //resize the buffer if size was provided
     if (target_size > 0){
         size_t actual_size = udp_trans->resize_buff<Opt>(target_size);
@@ -164,8 +339,8 @@ template<typename Opt> static void resize_buff_helper(
         if (actual_size < target_size) uhd::print_warning(str(boost::format(
             "The %s buffer is smaller than the requested size.\n"
             "The minimum recommended buffer size is %d bytes.\n"
-            "See the USRP2 application notes on buffer resizing.\n"
-        ) % name % min_sock_buff_size));
+            "See the transport application notes on buffer resizing.\n%s"
+        ) % name % min_sock_buff_size % help_message));
     }
 
     //only enable on platforms that are happy with the large buffer resize
@@ -180,14 +355,21 @@ template<typename Opt> static void resize_buff_helper(
 udp_zero_copy::sptr udp_zero_copy::make(
     const std::string &addr,
     const std::string &port,
-    size_t recv_buff_size,
-    size_t send_buff_size
+    const device_addr_t &hints
 ){
-    udp_zero_copy_impl::sptr udp_trans(new udp_zero_copy_impl(addr, port));
+    udp_zero_copy_asio_impl::sptr udp_trans(
+        new udp_zero_copy_asio_impl(addr, port, hints)
+    );
+
+    //extract buffer size hints from the device addr
+    size_t recv_buff_size = size_t(hints.cast<double>("recv_buff_size", 0.0));
+    size_t send_buff_size = size_t(hints.cast<double>("send_buff_size", 0.0));
 
     //call the helper to resize send and recv buffers
-    resize_buff_helper<boost::asio::socket_base::receive_buffer_size>(udp_trans, recv_buff_size, "recv");
-    resize_buff_helper<boost::asio::socket_base::send_buffer_size>   (udp_trans, send_buff_size, "send");
+    resize_buff_helper<asio::socket_base::receive_buffer_size>(udp_trans, recv_buff_size, "recv");
+    resize_buff_helper<asio::socket_base::send_buffer_size>   (udp_trans, send_buff_size, "send");
+
+    udp_trans->init(); //buffers resized -> call init() to use
 
     return udp_trans;
 }
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/usb_dummy_impl.cpp b/host/lib/transport/usb_dummy_impl.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8a9772e7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/host/lib/transport/usb_dummy_impl.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+//
+// 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/transport/usb_device_handle.hpp>
+#include <uhd/transport/usb_control.hpp>
+#include <uhd/transport/usb_zero_copy.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/exception.hpp>
+
+using namespace uhd;
+using namespace uhd::transport;
+
+std::vector<usb_device_handle::sptr> usb_device_handle::get_device_list(boost::uint16_t, boost::uint16_t){
+    return std::vector<usb_device_handle::sptr>(); //empty list
+}
+
+usb_control::sptr usb_control::make(usb_device_handle::sptr){
+    throw std::runtime_error("no usb support -> usb_control::make not implemented");
+}
+
+usb_zero_copy::sptr usb_zero_copy::make(
+    usb_device_handle::sptr,
+    size_t, size_t, const device_addr_t &
+){
+    throw std::runtime_error("no usb support -> usb_zero_copy::make not implemented");
+}
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/vrt_packet_handler.hpp b/host/lib/transport/vrt_packet_handler.hpp
index b603f1371..939517411 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/vrt_packet_handler.hpp
+++ b/host/lib/transport/vrt_packet_handler.hpp
@@ -303,18 +303,18 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
      * Pack a vrt header, copy-convert the data, and send it.
      *  - helper function for vrt_packet_handler::send
      ******************************************************************/
-    static UHD_INLINE void _send1(
+    static UHD_INLINE size_t _send1(
         send_state &state,
         const std::vector<const void *> &buffs,
-        size_t offset_bytes,
-        size_t num_samps,
+        const size_t offset_bytes,
+        const size_t num_samps,
         uhd::transport::vrt::if_packet_info_t &if_packet_info,
         const uhd::io_type_t &io_type,
         const uhd::otw_type_t &otw_type,
         const vrt_packer_t &vrt_packer,
         const get_send_buffs_t &get_send_buffs,
-        size_t vrt_header_offset_words32,
-        size_t chans_per_otw_buff
+        const size_t vrt_header_offset_words32,
+        const size_t chans_per_otw_buff
     ){
         //load the rest of the if_packet_info in here
         if_packet_info.num_payload_words32 = (num_samps*chans_per_otw_buff*otw_type.get_sample_size())/sizeof(boost::uint32_t);
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
 
         //get send buffers for each channel
         managed_send_buffs_t send_buffs(buffs.size()/chans_per_otw_buff);
-        UHD_ASSERT_THROW(get_send_buffs(send_buffs));
+        if (not get_send_buffs(send_buffs)) return 0;
 
         std::vector<const void *> io_buffs(chans_per_otw_buff);
         for (size_t i = 0; i < buffs.size(); i+=chans_per_otw_buff){
@@ -343,10 +343,9 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
 
             //commit the samples to the zero-copy interface
             size_t num_bytes_total = (vrt_header_offset_words32+if_packet_info.num_packet_words32)*sizeof(boost::uint32_t);
-            if (send_buffs[i]->commit(num_bytes_total) < ssize_t(num_bytes_total)){
-                std::cerr << "commit to send buffer returned less than commit size" << std::endl;
-            }
+            send_buffs[i]->commit(num_bytes_total);
         }
+        return num_samps;
     }
 
     /*******************************************************************
@@ -381,7 +380,6 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
         case uhd::device::SEND_MODE_ONE_PACKET:{
         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            size_t num_samps = std::min(total_num_samps, max_samples_per_packet);
 
             //fill in parts of the packet info overwrote in full buff mode
             if_packet_info.has_tsi = metadata.has_time_spec;
@@ -389,10 +387,10 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
             if_packet_info.sob = metadata.start_of_burst;
             if_packet_info.eob = metadata.end_of_burst;
 
-            _send1(
+            return _send1(
                 state,
                 buffs, 0,
-                num_samps,
+                std::min(total_num_samps, max_samples_per_packet),
                 if_packet_info,
                 io_type, otw_type,
                 vrt_packer,
@@ -400,31 +398,32 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
                 vrt_header_offset_words32,
                 chans_per_otw_buff
             );
-            return num_samps;
         }
 
         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
         case uhd::device::SEND_MODE_FULL_BUFF:{
         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            //calculate constants for fragmentation
-            const size_t num_fragments = (total_num_samps+max_samples_per_packet-1)/max_samples_per_packet;
-            static const size_t first_fragment_index = 0;
-            const size_t final_fragment_index = num_fragments-1;
+            size_t total_num_samps_sent = 0;
 
             //loop through the following fragment indexes
-            for (size_t n = first_fragment_index; n <= final_fragment_index; n++){
+            while(total_num_samps_sent < total_num_samps){
+
+                //calculate per-loop-iteration variables
+                const size_t total_num_samps_unsent = total_num_samps - total_num_samps_sent;
+                const bool first_fragment = (total_num_samps_sent == 0);
+                const bool final_fragment = (total_num_samps_unsent <= max_samples_per_packet);
 
                 //calculate new flags for the fragments
-                if_packet_info.has_tsi = metadata.has_time_spec  and (n == first_fragment_index);
-                if_packet_info.has_tsf = metadata.has_time_spec  and (n == first_fragment_index);
-                if_packet_info.sob     = metadata.start_of_burst and (n == first_fragment_index);
-                if_packet_info.eob     = metadata.end_of_burst   and (n == final_fragment_index);
+                if_packet_info.has_tsi = metadata.has_time_spec  and first_fragment;
+                if_packet_info.has_tsf = if_packet_info.has_tsi;
+                if_packet_info.sob     = metadata.start_of_burst and first_fragment;
+                if_packet_info.eob     = metadata.end_of_burst   and final_fragment;
 
                 //send the fragment with the helper function
-                _send1(
+                const size_t num_samps_sent = _send1(
                     state,
-                    buffs, n*max_samples_per_packet*io_type.size,
-                    (n == final_fragment_index)?(total_num_samps%max_samples_per_packet):max_samples_per_packet,
+                    buffs, total_num_samps_sent*io_type.size,
+                    std::min(total_num_samps_unsent, max_samples_per_packet),
                     if_packet_info,
                     io_type, otw_type,
                     vrt_packer,
@@ -432,8 +431,10 @@ template <typename T> UHD_INLINE T get_context_code(
                     vrt_header_offset_words32,
                     chans_per_otw_buff
                 );
+                total_num_samps_sent += num_samps_sent;
+                if (num_samps_sent == 0) return total_num_samps_sent;
             }
-            return total_num_samps;
+            return total_num_samps_sent;
         }
 
         default: throw std::runtime_error("unknown send mode");
diff --git a/host/lib/transport/zero_copy.cpp b/host/lib/transport/zero_copy.cpp
index 1fcf846a0..a5a864a04 100644
--- a/host/lib/transport/zero_copy.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/transport/zero_copy.cpp
@@ -16,32 +16,35 @@
 //
 
 #include <uhd/transport/zero_copy.hpp>
-#include <boost/cstdint.hpp>
-#include <boost/function.hpp>
-#include <boost/bind.hpp>
 
 using namespace uhd::transport;
 
 /***********************************************************************
- * The pure-virtual deconstructor needs an implementation to be happy
+ * Safe managed receive buffer
  **********************************************************************/
-managed_recv_buffer::~managed_recv_buffer(void){
+static void release_nop(void){
     /* NOP */
 }
 
-/***********************************************************************
- * Phony zero-copy recv interface implementation
- **********************************************************************/
-
-//! phony zero-copy recv buffer implementation
-class managed_recv_buffer_impl : public managed_recv_buffer{
+class safe_managed_receive_buffer : public managed_recv_buffer{
 public:
-    managed_recv_buffer_impl(const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff) : _buff(buff){
+    safe_managed_receive_buffer(
+        const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff,
+        const release_fcn_t &release_fcn
+    ):
+        _buff(buff), _release_fcn(release_fcn)
+    {
         /* NOP */
     }
 
-    ~managed_recv_buffer_impl(void){
-        delete [] this->cast<const boost::uint8_t *>();
+    ~safe_managed_receive_buffer(void){
+        _release_fcn();
+    }
+
+    void release(void){
+        release_fcn_t release_fcn = _release_fcn;
+        _release_fcn = &release_nop;
+        return release_fcn();
     }
 
 private:
@@ -50,64 +53,42 @@ private:
     }
 
     const boost::asio::const_buffer _buff;
+    release_fcn_t _release_fcn;
 };
 
-//! phony zero-copy recv interface implementation
-struct phony_zero_copy_recv_if::impl{
-    impl(size_t max_buff_size) : max_buff_size(max_buff_size){
-        /* NOP */
-    }
-    size_t max_buff_size;
-};
-
-phony_zero_copy_recv_if::phony_zero_copy_recv_if(size_t max_buff_size){
-    _impl = UHD_PIMPL_MAKE(impl, (max_buff_size));
-}
-
-phony_zero_copy_recv_if::~phony_zero_copy_recv_if(void){
-    /* NOP */
-}
-
-managed_recv_buffer::sptr phony_zero_copy_recv_if::get_recv_buff(size_t timeout_ms){
-    //allocate memory
-    boost::uint8_t *recv_mem = new boost::uint8_t[_impl->max_buff_size];
-
-    //call recv() with timeout option
-    ssize_t num_bytes = this->recv(boost::asio::buffer(recv_mem, _impl->max_buff_size), timeout_ms);
-
-    if (num_bytes <= 0) return managed_recv_buffer::sptr(); //NULL sptr
-
-    //create a new managed buffer to house the data
-    return managed_recv_buffer::sptr(
-        new managed_recv_buffer_impl(boost::asio::buffer(recv_mem, num_bytes))
-    );
+managed_recv_buffer::sptr managed_recv_buffer::make_safe(
+    const boost::asio::const_buffer &buff,
+    const release_fcn_t &release_fcn
+){
+    return sptr(new safe_managed_receive_buffer(buff, release_fcn));
 }
 
 /***********************************************************************
- * Phony zero-copy send interface implementation
+ * Safe managed send buffer
  **********************************************************************/
+static void commit_nop(size_t){
+    /* NOP */
+}
 
-//! phony zero-copy send buffer implementation
-class managed_send_buffer_impl : public managed_send_buffer{
+class safe_managed_send_buffer : public managed_send_buffer{
 public:
-    typedef boost::function<ssize_t(const boost::asio::const_buffer &)> send_fcn_t;
-
-    managed_send_buffer_impl(
+    safe_managed_send_buffer(
         const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff,
-        const send_fcn_t &send_fcn
+        const commit_fcn_t &commit_fcn
     ):
-        _buff(buff),
-        _send_fcn(send_fcn)
+        _buff(buff), _commit_fcn(commit_fcn)
     {
         /* NOP */
     }
 
-    ~managed_send_buffer_impl(void){
-        /* NOP */
+    ~safe_managed_send_buffer(void){
+        _commit_fcn(0);
     }
 
-    ssize_t commit(size_t num_bytes){
-        return _send_fcn(boost::asio::buffer(_buff, num_bytes));
+    void commit(size_t num_bytes){
+        commit_fcn_t commit_fcn = _commit_fcn;
+        _commit_fcn = &commit_nop;
+        return commit_fcn(num_bytes);
     }
 
 private:
@@ -116,28 +97,12 @@ private:
     }
 
     const boost::asio::mutable_buffer _buff;
-    const send_fcn_t                  _send_fcn;
-};
-
-//! phony zero-copy send interface implementation
-struct phony_zero_copy_send_if::impl{
-    boost::uint8_t *send_mem;
-    managed_send_buffer::sptr send_buff;
+    commit_fcn_t _commit_fcn;
 };
 
-phony_zero_copy_send_if::phony_zero_copy_send_if(size_t max_buff_size){
-    _impl = UHD_PIMPL_MAKE(impl, ());
-    _impl->send_mem = new boost::uint8_t[max_buff_size];
-    _impl->send_buff = managed_send_buffer::sptr(new managed_send_buffer_impl(
-        boost::asio::buffer(_impl->send_mem, max_buff_size),
-        boost::bind(&phony_zero_copy_send_if::send, this, _1)
-    ));
-}
-
-phony_zero_copy_send_if::~phony_zero_copy_send_if(void){
-    delete [] _impl->send_mem;
-}
-
-managed_send_buffer::sptr phony_zero_copy_send_if::get_send_buff(void){
-    return _impl->send_buff; //FIXME there is only ever one send buff, we assume that the caller doesnt hang onto these
+safe_managed_send_buffer::sptr managed_send_buffer::make_safe(
+    const boost::asio::mutable_buffer &buff,
+    const commit_fcn_t &commit_fcn
+){
+    return sptr(new safe_managed_send_buffer(buff, commit_fcn));
 }
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);
 };
diff --git a/host/lib/utils/thread_priority.cpp b/host/lib/utils/thread_priority.cpp
index c35e5fcb1..f09d1b1d6 100644
--- a/host/lib/utils/thread_priority.cpp
+++ b/host/lib/utils/thread_priority.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 //
 
 #include <uhd/utils/thread_priority.hpp>
+#include <uhd/utils/warning.hpp>
+#include <boost/format.hpp>
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <iostream>
 
@@ -24,7 +26,12 @@ bool uhd::set_thread_priority_safe(float priority, bool realtime){
         set_thread_priority(priority, realtime);
         return true;
     }catch(const std::exception &e){
-        std::cerr << "set_thread_priority: " << e.what() << std::endl;
+        uhd::print_warning(str(boost::format(
+            "%s\n"
+            "Failed to set thread priority %d (%s):\n"
+            "Performance may be negatively affected.\n"
+            "See the general application notes.\n"
+        ) % e.what() % priority % (realtime?"realtime":"")));
         return false;
     }
 }
diff --git a/host/test/buffer_test.cpp b/host/test/buffer_test.cpp
index aadb3f951..8445412e7 100644
--- a/host/test/buffer_test.cpp
+++ b/host/test/buffer_test.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 using namespace boost::assign;
 using namespace uhd::transport;
 
-static const boost::posix_time::milliseconds timeout(10);
+static const double timeout = 0.01/*secs*/;
 
 BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_bounded_buffer_with_timed_wait){
     bounded_buffer<int>::sptr bb(bounded_buffer<int>::make(3));