LP-CC2652R7: using this MCU for packet sniffing

jamil anwar

Part Number: LP-CC2652R7
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2652R7, LAUNCHXL-CC26X2R1

I had installed SmartRF Studio 7 first and that detected the board fine.

I then installed Packet Sniffer 2. I tried running the sniffer agent but it doesn't recognise the board when its plugged in, "Sniffer Devices Not Found".

Please can someone assist?

over 1 year ago

0 Jan over 1 year ago

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi Jamil,

To run the packet sniffer, there are a few additional steps that you must perform. A specific version of wireshark must be installed and ran with a specific command. The sniffer firmware must be flashed onto the device as well in order for the packet sniffer software to function. The complete process is detailed in the Getting Started section of the Packet Sniffer 2 User's Guide

Let us know if you run into any issues while following the installation and setup process detailed in the link provided above.

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

Hi Jan, thanks for the reply. I am using wireshark v3.0.14, but i haven't ran it yet, i'm trying to configure the sniffer agent which doesn't recognise the board. Does the sniffer agent need to be updated for this board?

0 Jan over 1 year ago in reply to jamil anwar

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi Jamil,

Have you already flashed the sniffer_fw.hex for this device? This image must be flashed before the sniffer software can be used.

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

i had flashed with the following file: SmartRF Tools\SmartRF Packet Sniffer 2\sniffer_fw\bin\cc26x2r1lp

0 Jan over 1 year ago in reply to jamil anwar

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi Jamil.

I have looked into this and we currently do not have the CC2652R7 firmware present in the Packet Sniffer 2 software. You cannot run cc26x2r1 images directly on the cc2652r7 device without rebuilding the project for that device. The sniffer_fw project files are present in the Packet Sniffer 2 directory. It may be possible to import this project and port it to run on the CC2652R7. However, we have not tested the Packet Sniffer 2 software with the R7 device.

This page may be helpful: https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=AMujAYYGkqT3plMi6Cf52g__BSEc4rl__LATEST

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

is it possible to obtain the Packet Sniffer 2 software source code just in case?

0 Jan over 1 year ago in reply to jamil anwar

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi,

We do not distribute the source code for the Packet Sniffer 2 software. We do have the application code available for the sniffer_fw project. Are you trying to sniff BLE4 or BLE5 packets? The Packet Sniffer 2 software can only sniff BLE4 packets at this time. It is able to observe BLE5 adv packets, but not connection packets. If you need to monitor BLE5 connection packets, then you may need to invest in a dedicated sniffer.

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

application code for the sniffer_fw project would be great, please can you provide a link? I will forget about getting packet sniffer 2 to work due to its limitation.

0 Jan over 1 year ago in reply to jamil anwar

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi,

The sniffer_fw source code can be found here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\SmartRF Tools\SmartRF Packet Sniffer 2\sniffer_fw\source

That directory is valid if you installed SmartRF Packet Sniffer 2 at the default location.

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

ah, i think i misunderstood, you mean i have to write my own windows application to work with the sniffer firmware?

+1 Jan over 1 year ago in reply to jamil anwar

TI__Mastermind 25493 points

Hi,

Two things. First, you may be able to use the source code to port the CC26X2R1 version of sniffer_fw to the CC2652R7 device. If this is done, then you should be able to use the R7 device as a sniffer with the Packet Sniffer 2 software. Second, we do not offer the Packet Sniffer 2 Windows application code publicly, so if you are interested in developing your own packet sniffer windows application then you would have to write your own application.

However, if you are mainly interested in sniffing BLE4 or advertising packets with any device, then you should be able to use the included software and firmware with the LAUNCHXL-CC26X2R1 board or any of the other boards present in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\SmartRF Tools\SmartRF Packet Sniffer 2\sniffer_fw\bin directory.

If you are interested in having a sniffer for development purposes, then I would highly recommend investing in a dedicated sniffer.

Best Regards,

Jan

0 jamil anwar over 1 year ago in reply to Jan

Prodigy 30 points

Thanks, 1 more question, will there be any updates to the Sniffer 2 package for the new board and would it be possible to be notified when a new release is made?

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LP-CC2652R7: using this MCU for packet sniffing