librtlsdr ☆

« Back to VersTracker

Description:
Use Realtek DVB-T dongles as a cheap SDR

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Developer tools

Tags: sdr radio rtl-sdr hardware libusb

Install: brew install librtlsdr

About:
Librtlsdr is a software library that enables the use of Realtek RTL2832U-based DVB-T tuner dongles as inexpensive, general-purpose software-defined radios. It provides an interface to the hardware's raw I/Q data stream, bypassing the device's original purpose. This allows hobbyists and researchers to access a wide range of radio frequencies for a fraction of the cost of dedicated SDR hardware.

Key Features:

Enables low-cost SDR functionality using common DVB-T dongles
Provides access to raw I/Q samples for signal processing
Cross-platform support via libusb
Unlocks a 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz reception range (hardware dependent)

Use Cases:

Exploring radio spectrum and learning about wireless communications
Receiving and decoding data from ADS-B aircraft transponders
Listening to FM radio broadcasts and other analog transmissions
Developing custom radio receivers for digital protocols

Alternatives:

SoapySDR – A more general-purpose, hardware-agnostic SDR framework that supports a wide variety of devices beyond just RTL-SDR.
airspy – Higher-performance SDR hardware and drivers offering wider bandwidth and better dynamic range, but at a significantly higher cost.

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit
Sep 10, 2025 5:20pm		0	VERSION_BUMP	f5692098