Pentek introduces software radio modules with TI ADC

The Model 3320 FMC front end accepts two analogue RF or IF inputs on front panel connectors into a Texas Instruments ADC32RF45 dual A/D converter with built-in multiband DDCs, setting a new benchmark for Pentek channel density and conversion speeds in a transceiver product.

“High-performance transceiver products like the Pentek FlexorSet models require the high sample rate and dynamic range that TI’s ADC32RF45 and the DAC39J84 offer,” said Philip Pratt, High-Speed Products business development manager, Texas Instruments. “The combination of TI’s 14-bit, 3 GSPS ADC and quad-channel, 16-bit, 2.8 GSPS DAC, with the Virtex-7 and optical interconnects, helps system designers create complete and powerful radar, communications and software radio sub-systems.”

On the output side, the Texas Instruments DAC39J84 D/A converter accepts baseband real or complex data streams from the FPGA. Each stream then passes through digital interpolation and upconversion stages before delivery to the D/A at sampling rates up to 2.8 GSPS, a new high for Pentek products.

Users can select from three selectable conversion profiles to match the requirements of a wide range of applications. Profiles include A/D and D/A sample rates, bits of resolution, as well as digital downconverter and digital upconverter modes. Both models offer native x8 PCIe Gen .3 system interfaces, delivering peak rates of up to 8GB/sec.

FlexorSet carriers offer a choice of Virtex-7 FPGAs to match the specific requirements of the processing task. Optional LVDS connections to the FPGA provide custom I/O for flexible platform configuration. Optional optical interfaces for FPGA gigabit serial links offer fast connections between boards and systems. The 3U VPX Model 5973-320 supports these optical links through VITA 66.4 backplane connectors.

“The FlexorSet integrated solution reinforces the value of combining FMC and carrier as a matched set to simplify development tasks for our customers,” said Robert Sgandurra, director of Product Management, Pentek.

Both FlexorSets come pre-configured with a suite of built-in functions for data acquisition, time tagging and waveform generation, all tailored and optimised for the FMC and carrier. This IP enables high performance capture and delivery of data to provide an ideal turn-key signal interface for radar, communications and general data acquisition applications, eliminating the FMC/carrier integration effort typically left to the user.

FlexorSet presents system integrators with an ideal development and deployment platform for custom IP. The Pentek GateFlow FPGA design kit gives users access to the complete factory installed IP at the source level, allowing them to extend or even replace the built-in functions. GateFlow is engineered for the new Vivado Design Suite from Xilinx.

Pentek’s GateXpress PCIe configuration manager supports dynamic FPGA reconfiguration though software commands as part of the runtime application. This provides an efficient way to quickly reload the FPGA, which slashes development time during testing. For deployed environments, GateXpress enables reloading the FPGA without the need to reset the host system, ideal for applications that require dynamic access to multiple processing IP algorithms.

Pentek’s ReadyFlow Board Support Package is available with drivers for Windows and Linux operating systems. The ReadyFlow C-callable library contains a complete suite of initialisation, control and status functions, as well as a rich set of precompiled, ready-to-run-examples, accelerate application development.

By plugging the FlexorSets into a Pentek 8266 SPARK PC development system or a 8267 SPARK VPX development system, application work can begin immediately. The SPARK system saves engineers the time and expense associated with building and testing a development system and ensures optimum performance of Pentek boards. All SPARK development systems come with software and hardware installed and ready for immediate operation.

FlexorSets are designed for air-cooled, conduction-cooled and rugged operating environments. The FlexorSet Model 5973-320 for 3U VPX starts at $28,690 and the FlexorSet Model 7070-320 for PCIe begins at $28,790 USD. Delivery is 8-10 weeks ARO