Upper Saddle River, NJ - February 21, 2006

Software Radio Transceiver Module Adds 256-Channel Digital Downconverter Core To Boost Channel Density by Order of Magnitude

• 256 Individually Tunable Receive Channels
• Extremely Low Cost Per DDC Channel
• Dual 105 MHz 14-bit A/D Converters
• XMC I/O Provides High-Speed Data Streaming
• Factory-Installed IP Core Eliminates FPGA Development Tasks

Pentek, Inc., the industry pioneer of board-level technology, announced today the blending of its GateFlow 4954-430 high-density, narrowband digital downconverter (DDC) FPGA IP core with its 7140 software radio transceiver PMC module. The new 7140-430 Software Radio Transceiver utilizes the core, implemented in a Xilinx FPGA, to provide 256 individually tunable receive channels in a full-function PMC/XMC transceiver module. This combination is ideal for developers of multi-channel communications systems, such as military radios and commercial wireless base stations, that require a high channel density within tight size, weight, cost and power constraints.

'This represents a huge boost in channel density,' says Rodger Hosking, vice president of Pentek, Inc. 'The typical downconverter module offers between four and sixteen narrowband channels. 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 realize a minimum sixteen-fold improvement in density over previous designs. This not only slashes the cost per channel, but also opens up new applications for multi-channel receivers where space is restricted, such as in unmanned aerial vehicles and in portable or concealed signal intelligence systems.' He added, 'We created a special version of the 430 core, fully optimized 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 analog HF inputs and transformer-couples them into 14-bit A/D converters sampling up to 105 MHz. The digitized output signals pass to a Virtex-II Pro XC2VP50 FPGA that implements the downconverter core sourced from either channel. A channelizer stage generates 1024 fixed, adjacent, over-lapping frequency channels with alias-free performance greater than 75 dB. A 256-output switch matrix follows the channelizer, providing the coarse tuning function.

Following the 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 32-bit tuning frequency parameter accepted for each of the 256 channels.

A user-programmable decimating FIR low-pass filter defines output channel bandwidth with decimation settings ranging from 1024 to 9984. For an A/D sampling rate of 100 MHz, the output bandwidth ranges from about 8 kHz to 80 kHz, ideally suited for most voice or data systems. Baseband outputs pass through a programmable gain stage before being rounded to their final 16-bit result. Each channel has an independently programmable 16-bit gain control.

Full Transceiver Functionality

In addition to the receiver section, the 7140 module offers a transmit section. A digital upconverter translates real or complex baseband signals to any IF center frequency from DC to 160 MHz. Two 16-bit D/A converters then produce real or quadrature (I+Q) IF output signals routed through the module's PCI interface.

Flexibility in Development Tools and Platforms

Pentek currently supports the Model 7140-430 with Linux drivers and plans to release Windows, VxWorks® and ReadyFlow® libraries and drivers in the future. The Model 7140-430 functionality is also available in a variety of other form factors including the 7240-430 (6U cPCI), the 7340-430 (3U cPCI) and the 7640-430 (PCI).

For the latest pricing and availability information, please contact Mario Schiavone by phone at (201) 818-5900 ext. 229, or by email to mario@pentek.com.

Related Information

• Model 7140-430
• Model 7240-430
• Model 7340-430
• Model 7640-430

Photos and Attachments

• 7140-430.jpg