Product category:
Wireless Communications
News Release from: Pentek | Subject: 7140-430 software radio transceiver
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 23 February 2006
Software radio transceiver crams in 256
channels
Pentek has married its GateFlow 4954-430 high-density, narrowband digital downconvertor (DDC) FPGA IP core with its 7140 software radio transceiver PMC module.
Pentek has married its GateFlow 4954-430 high-density, narrowband digital downconvertor (DDC) FPGA IP core with its 7140 software radio transceiver PMC module The resulting new 7140-430 software radio transceiver uses the core, implemented in a Xilinx FPGA, to provide 256 individually tunable receive channels in a full-function PMC/XMC transceiver module
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 14 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"This represents a huge boost in channel density", says Rodger Hosking, Vice President of Pentek.
"The typical downconvertor module offers between four and 16 narrowband channels".
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"Our new 430 core packs 256 independently tunable DDC receive channels in a single, moderately sized FPGA.
By incorporating this core within our Model 7140 PMC/XMC module, we now allow system designers to realise a minimum 16-fold improvement in density over previous designs".
"This not only slashes the cost per channel but also opens up new applications for multichannel receivers where space is restricted, such as in unmanned aerial vehicles and portable or concealed signal-intelligence systems".
Hosking added: "We created a special version of the 430 core fully optimised for maximum performance and function within the 7140 PMC module".
"Since we install this core at the factory, our customers can take immediate advantage of its capabilities right out of the box, fully supported with software libraries and drivers".
"In this way, engineers can reap the benefits of leading-edge FPGA performance with zero FPGA development effort".
The 7140 module's front end accepts two analogue HF inputs and transformer-couples them into 14bit A/D convertors sampling up to105MHz.
The digitised output signals pass to a Virtex-II Pro XC2VP50 FPGA that implements the downconvertor core sourced from either channel.
A channeliser stage generates 1024 fixed, adjacent, over-lapping frequency channels with alias-free performance greater than 75dB.
A 256-output switch matrix follows the channeliser, providing the coarse tuning function.
In addition to coarse tuning, each channel uses its own programmable numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) to provide fine-tuning and a mixer to translate the signal of interest to baseband.
Coarse- and fine-tuning details are automatically derived from a single 32bit tuning frequency parameter accepted for each of the 256 channels.
A user-programmable decimating FIR lowpass filter defines output channel bandwidth with decimation settings ranging from 1024 to 9984.
For an A/D sampling rate of 100MHz, the output bandwidth ranges from about 8 to 80kHz, ideally suited for most voice or data systems.
Baseband outputs pass through a programmable gain stage before being rounded to their final 16bit result.
Each channel has an independently programmable 16bit gain control.
In addition to the receiver section, the 7140 module offers a transmit section.
A digital upconvertor translates real or complex baseband signals to any IF centre frequency from DC to 160MHz.
Two 16bit D/A convertors then produce real or quadrature (I+Q) IF output signals routed through the module's PCI interface.
Pentek currently supports the Model 7140-430 with Linux drivers and plans to release Windows, VxWorks and ReadyFlow libraries and drivers in the future.
Model 7140-430 functionality is also available in a variety of other form factors including Model 7240-430 (6U cPCI), Model 7340-430 (3U cPCI) and Model 7640-430 (PCI).
The Model 7140-430 software radio transceiver module is priced at US $14,995 with delivery eight to 10 weeks ARO.
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