RTLSDR dongles support as part of Windows version of the software #5800

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1. DCoy70

   added

   enhancementImprovement to existing featureImprovement to existing feature

   on Sep 17, 2026
2. aethersdr-agent

   added

   claude-activeAetherClaude is actively working on this issueAetherClaude is actively working on this issue

   on Sep 17, 2026
3. jensenpat

   self-assigned this

   on Sep 18, 2026
4. jensenpat commented on Sep 18, 2026

   

   jensenpat

   on Sep 18, 2026

   Last edited by jensenpat

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   Investigation and proposed implementation plan for native Windows RTL-SDR support.

   Confirmed history and current gap

   The original experimental receive-only backend landed in #4862 (closing #4797), merged as 951300479eef6362ac36499fa50c4859e7b7c389 on 2026-09-02 UTC. Its final PR description explicitly deferred Windows support until the Windows dependency bundle supplied librtlsdr and FFTW3f. The review discussion also identifies dependency discovery as a Windows blocker.

   The merged CMake code defaults ENABLE_RTL to ON and includes header/library discovery fallbacks.

   Source inspection of upstream 7e841682747bbcdfe4635f0ab44f6fa603455545 found:

   • Windows CI and the Windows installer workflow do not provision librtlsdr.
   • Both already provision the bundled FFTW3f dependency. The RTL CMake probe has no explicit hint to that bundled location and disables RTL when either dependency is missing.
   • There is no RTL-specific Windows runtime DLL staging.

   This is a Windows dependency/build/packaging task for the existing receive-only backend. Broader DSP and multi-slice work remains tracked separately.

   Proposed implementation

   1. Add reproducible, pinned Windows librtlsdr/libusb provisioning shared by CI and installer builds, with appropriate integrity verification and license notices.
   2. Wire CMake discovery/linkage to those dependencies and the existing FFTW3f bundle. Preserve optional dependency behavior for ordinary builds, but require RTL to be enabled in Windows jobs that promise RTL support so a missing dependency cannot silently pass.
   3. Stage and audit all required runtime libraries in the Windows build output and MSIX package, accounting for the selected static/dynamic linkage.
   4. Validate the Windows build and existing socket-free RTL tests against the exact change. Respect the frozen per-PR test allow-list; do not silently expand it. Include Linux/macOS regression evidence and the dependency-disabled build path.
   5. Produce a Windows test installer, verify startup on a clean machine, then validate real dongle reception and document the required Windows USB driver setup. Keep RTL receive-only and preserve other radio families' paths.
   6. Submit one focused draft PR with infrastructure review and the maintainer review required for changes to the installer workflow.

   Acceptance criteria

   • Windows CI demonstrably compiles the RTL backend; absence of a promised dependency fails the job.
   • The Windows installer includes all required runtime dependencies and license notices, and launches on a machine without a development dependency installation.
   • Existing applicable RTL tests pass on the exact Windows build; report selected/passed counts and distinguish these from hardware evidence.
   • A real RTL-SDR dongle can be discovered, connected, tuned, and produce spectrum/waterfall and audio on Windows.
   • Device-busy, unplug/disconnect, and reconnect behavior is checked; required USB driver setup is documented.
   • RTL remains receive-only; Linux/macOS builds and the optional-disabled path retain coverage.
   • PR records exact source/build/package identifiers and remaining validation limitations.

   Related work

   • RTL-SDR backend: tuner + panadapter for librtlsdr dongles #4797 — original RTL-SDR backend request (closed by Add experimental receive-only RTL-SDR backend (#4797) #4862).
   • Add experimental receive-only RTL-SDR backend (#4797) #4862 — original merged experimental backend and Windows deferral.
   • [RFC] Complete RTL-SDR receive DSP with multiple slices, independent zoom and stereo WFM #5468 — open RFC for completing receive DSP, multiple slices, independent zoom, and stereo WFM. Coordinate with its changes, but Windows packaging does not claim to deliver those features.
   • Support RTL-SDR dongles as an auxiliary VHF/UHF receiver (KiwiSDR-style integration) #4029 — earlier auxiliary VHF/UHF RTL-SDR receiver request (closed), providing broader user context.
   • fix(rtl): preserve device identity and prepare slice persistence #5473 — merged RTL identity and slice-persistence foundation.
   • RTL: add bounded receiver lifecycle foundation (F4) #5590 — merged bounded RTL receiver-lifecycle foundation.

   Evidence boundary: this investigation inspected source, PR history, and current workflow configuration. No Windows compile, installer test, or live USB validation was performed as part of it.
5. jensenpat

   removed their assignment

   on Sep 18, 2026
6. jensenpat

   added

   priority: mediumMedium priorityMedium priority

   external devicesFlexControl, MIDI, serial port, USB peripheralsFlexControl, MIDI, serial port, USB peripherals

   on Sep 18, 2026
7. jensenpat

   self-assigned this

   on Oct 11, 2026
8. jensenpat commented on Oct 11, 2026

   

   jensenpat

   on Oct 11, 2026

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   Closing as completed in the v26.10.2 release audit, as requested by @jensenpat.

   #6083 requires and bundles the RTL backend and its dependencies in official Windows packages, with runtime dependency validation and passing package workflows. The v26.10.2 Windows installer and portable ZIP are published. Closing the native Windows RTL-SDR packaging request; broader RTL work remains under its own trackers.
9. jensenpat

   closed this as completedon Oct 11, 2026