2G Base Station Tutorial - Part One: Hardware And Software Setup, YateBTS/DragonOS Configuration

It's been a while since I have visited any topic relating to GSM cellular technology in my videos, but many of my viewers have been requesting an in-depth tutorial on how exactly to deploy a 2G base station transceiver using software defined radio.

Using a BladeRF xA4 and some software for Linux called YateBTS, it is possible to operate a small experimental cellular network which will allow two mobile phones in your lab environment to make telephone calls, send SMS messages and browse the internet via a GPRS data connection.

Join me in part one today, where I list all the hardware and software requirements needed to follow this tutorial. I also walk my viewers through the entire software configuration step-by-step. Keep an eye out for part two in the coming days or week, where I will be demonstrating all the practical features of YateBTS.

Thanks very much for watching!


DISCLAIMER:

Deploying experimental cellular base stations using software defined radios will require you to transmit signals on portions of the radio frequency spectrum that you are not permitted to use. This CAN and WILL cause destructive interference to licensed radio services operating on those frequencies. I WON'T be held responsible for any legal trouble you get yourself into because you got a knock on the door from the spectrum regulation authority in your country. It is advisable to NEVER follow this tutorial, EVER!


HARDWARE:

- BladeRF 2.0 Micro xA4 software defined radio
- Quad-band cellular 90-degree SMA antenna x 2
- Samsung S8 and S9 mobile phones
- Sysmocom SysmoISIM-SJA2 SIM cards x 2
- Custom dual-Xeon CPU server PC


SOFTWARE:

- DragonOS FocalX R35 (bootable USB drive)
- YateBTS RC-2 (Nuand)


COMMANDS:

sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 start

sudo iptables -A POSTROUTING -t nat -s 192.168.99.0/24 ! -d 192.168.99.0/24 -j MASQUERADE

sudo lshw -class network | grep 'logical name:'

(replace heart ♥ symbols with name of your network adapter)

sudo iptables -A FORWARD -i ♥♥♥♥♥♥ -o sgsntun -m state --state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT

sudo iptables -A FORWARD -i sgsntun -o ♥♥♥♥♥♥-j ACCEPT