Xilinx XC7Z020 ADI AD9361 SDR Platform USB Ethernet for RF transceiver storage playback 70MHz~6GHz 200KHz~56MHz

Xilinx XC7Z020 ADI AD9361 SDR Platform USB Ethernet for RF transceiver storage playback 70MHz~6GHz 200KHz~56MHz

Product Description

This versatile software-defined radio (SDR) platform is built on the Xilinx XC7Z020 SoC and integrates the ADI AD9361 wideband RF transceiver, making it ideal for wireless communication research, prototyping, and academic teaching. It covers a broad frequency range from 70 MHz to 6 GHz with an adjustable analog bandwidth between 200 kHz and 56 MHz, enabling support for a wide variety of communication standards and custom signal designs.

The platform is fully compatible with MATLAB, Simulink, and Xilinx Vivado, allowing rapid design, simulation, and hardware implementation of communication systems. It can operate as a flexible RF front end for signal acquisition, storage, playback, and transceiver applications. Data exchange with a host computer is supported via high-speed USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, while the embedded ARM processing system also allows standalone operation as a fully independent SDR solution.

System Block Diagram

Indicator characteristics

SOC main processor: XC7Z020-2CLG484I	RFIC processor: AD9361BBCZ
RF channel: 2 receive and 2 transmit	Signal bandwidth: 200KHz~56MHz
Supported frequency band: 70MHz~6GHz	Transmitting frequency error: ±1ppm
Transmit power: TX1 power @6GHz @TX Gain 0dB : -0.3dBm TX2 power @6GHz @TX Gain 0dB : -0.2dBm	LO leakage: TX1&TX2 @6GHz attenuation 20dB: -50 dBm RX1&RX2 @6GHz : -60dBFs
Isolation: TX1&RX1 @6GHz @TX/RX Gain 0dB : -60dB TX1&RX2 @6GHz@TX/RX Gain 0dB : -58dB	Image Rejection: TX1&TX2 @6GHz : -45dB RX1&RX2 @6GHz : -45dB
High-speed ADC: 12-bit, dual-channel, 122.88MSPS	High-speed DAC: 12-bit, dual-channel, 122.88MSPS
Clock stability: ±0.1ppm	Transmit EVM: <2%
Data interface: USB3.0, TF card, Gigabit Ethernet, UART, JTAG, Audio	Storage Space: PS side DDR 1GB, 256Mb Flash, EEPROM 2Kb
Synchronous interface: supports reference clock input	Power consumption: <15W
Power supply: DC 5V or USB3.0	Size: 140mm * 100mm * 40mm
Working temperature: -40℃～60℃	Working humidity: 2% to 95% (25°C), non-condensing

Feature

project		Functional Description
Number of channels		2-channel receiving, 2-channel sending, support multi-channel phase synchronization function
Working Mode		FDD/TDD mode
Communication bandwidth		200kHz ~ 56MHz
Local oscillator configuration frequency range		70M-6GHz
External Reference		Support external reference clock input
Gain Control		Supports AGC and MGC RX gain control range: 0dB ~ 71dB, step 1dB TX attenuation control range: 0dB ~ -89.75dB, step 0.25dB
Signal acquisition		Supports 1-2 arbitrary channel data collection and upload, with SDR Studio software
Receive sampling rate		Support dynamic sampling rate configuration Range: 208.33kHz ~ 61.44MHz, 1Hz step
Playback sampling rate		Support dynamic sampling rate configuration Range: 208.33kHz ~ 61.44MHz, 1Hz step
Signal playback		Supports 1-2 arbitrary channel data playback, with SDR Studio software
Signal Source		Supports single-tone, multi-tone, AM, FM, BPSK, QPSK, QAM and other signal transmission, and requires our DR VSG software
Spectrum Analysis		Supports simple spectrum analysis display, compatible with SDR Studio software
Data storage		Supports 1-2 channel data acquisition and storage, with SDR Studio software
Communication Simulation		Supports Matlab communication simulation, with single-tone and typical waveform transmission and reception cases
Gigabit Ethernet port		One 10/100/1000Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface
USB		One USB3.0 interface

Advantage

Support Matlab & Simulink for wireless system simulation

MATLAB is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numerical computation. Using MATLAB, technical computing problems can be solved faster than with traditional programming languages ​​such as C, C++, and Fortran. Simulink is a platform for multi-domain modeling and design of dynamic systems. It provides an interactive graphical environment and a library of customizable blocks that can be extended for specific applications. It can be used to design, simulate, implement, and test a variety of time-varying systems, including communications, control, signal processing, video processing, and image processing. MATLAB and Simulink can be connected to this SDR platform product via a USB 3.0 interface, providing a radio circuit design and simulation environment. With the support package (Communications System Toolbox and USRP radio), MATLAB and Simulink can be used to design and verify real-world SDR systems.

Daily low-cost vector signal generator use

It provides a portable vector signal source function based on software radio technology. It can generate single-tone signals and modulated signals, including: AM, FM, Pulse, Multi Tone, AWGN, digital modulation (BPSK, QPSK, QAM16, QAM64), OFDM and other programmable modulation methods.

Support RF data collection and playback

In scientific research and verification, it is often necessary to upload or download baseband IQ data to a general-purpose RF terminal. Using SDR Studio software, in addition to configuring RF components and viewing time-frequency waveforms, IQ data can be stored in files at the configured sampling rate or retrieved via a host computer API. Data can also be distributed and played back.

Support ADI official IIO SCOPE for RFIC testing

IIO SCOPE is a cross-platform GUI application officially provided by Analog Devices that can be used to test various ADI zero-IF architecture chips. The application supports plotting time domain, spectrum, constellation, and cross-correlation graphs of acquired data, and can view and configure multiple RF device settings, including frequency, bandwidth, sampling rate, and gain.

FAQ

1. What is the Xilinx XC7Z020 ADI AD9361 SDR Platform used for?
This SDR platform is designed for wireless communication research, prototyping, education, and testing. It supports RF transceiver applications, data acquisition, storage, and playback.

2. What frequency range does the ADI AD9361 SDR platform cover?
It covers a wide frequency range from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, making it suitable for multiple communication standards.

3. What bandwidth does this SDR platform support?
The analog bandwidth is adjustable from 200 kHz to 56 MHz, offering flexibility for various RF applications.

4. Is this SDR platform based on FPGA technology?
Yes, it is powered by the Xilinx XC7Z020 SoC FPGA, providing high performance for real-time signal processing.

5. How many RF channels are supported?
The SDR supports 2 transmit channels and 2 receive channels, enabling MIMO and synchronized multi-channel experiments.

6. Can I use this SDR platform with MATLAB and Simulink?
Yes, the device is fully compatible with MATLAB and Simulink, ideal for system simulation and real-time testing.

7. What is the main RF transceiver chip used in this board?
The platform integrates the ADI AD9361 wideband RF transceiver, known for its flexibility and performance.

8. Does the SDR platform support standalone operation?
Yes, thanks to its ARM processor system, it can operate as an independent SDR without a PC.

9. What data interfaces are available?
It supports USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, UART, JTAG, TF card, and audio interfaces.

10. What is the maximum transmit power?
At 6 GHz with 0 dB TX gain, TX1 outputs -0.3 dBm and TX2 outputs -0.2 dBm.

11. Can this SDR be used for spectrum analysis?
Yes, it supports spectrum analysis with the provided SDR Studio software.

12. What kind of signals can it generate?
It can generate single-tone, multi-tone, AM, FM, BPSK, QPSK, QAM, OFDM, and other modulation schemes.

13. Is it suitable for educational purposes?
Yes, it is widely used in universities and research labs for communication system teaching.

14. What type of ADC and DAC are included?
It features 12-bit dual-channel ADC and DAC with a sampling rate of 122.88 MSPS.

15. How stable is the clock system?
It has a ±0.1 ppm clock stability, ensuring accurate signal transmission and reception.

16. Can this SDR platform store IQ data?
Yes, it supports IQ data storage and playback using SDR Studio software.

17. Does it support external reference clocks?
Yes, an external reference clock input is supported.

18. What is the gain control range of the receiver?
The RX gain can be adjusted from 0 dB to 71 dB in 1 dB steps.

19. What is the TX attenuation range?
The TX attenuation ranges from 0 dB to -89.75 dB in 0.25 dB steps.

20. Can it be used for OFDM experiments?
Yes, the platform supports OFDM signal generation and testing.

21. What operating systems are compatible?
It can be used with Windows and Linux systems for development and testing.

22. Does the SDR support IIO Scope from ADI?
Yes, it works with the official ADI IIO Scope tool for RFIC testing.

23. Can I use it as a vector signal generator?
Yes, it functions as a low-cost SDR-based vector signal generator (VSG).

24. What storage options are available on the device?
It includes 1 GB DDR, 256 Mb Flash, and 2 Kb EEPROM.

25. What is the power consumption?
Power consumption is less than 15W, making it energy-efficient.

26. What power supply is required?
It can be powered by DC 5V or USB 3.0.

27. What are the physical dimensions of the device?
The size is 140mm × 100mm × 40mm, compact enough for lab and field use.

28. What is the supported sampling rate for reception?
It supports 208.33 kHz to 61.44 MHz, adjustable in 1 Hz steps.

29. What is the supported sampling rate for playback?
The playback rate also ranges from 208.33 kHz to 61.44 MHz.

30. Can this SDR platform be used for UAV or drone communication?
Yes, its wide frequency coverage makes it suitable for UAV data links and telemetry.

31. Is the SDR compatible with GNU Radio?
Yes, it can be used with GNU Radio for custom SDR development.

32. What modulation schemes are supported?
Supported modulations include AM, FM, BPSK, QPSK, QAM, and OFDM.

33. Can I use this SDR for satellite communication experiments?
Yes, the 70 MHz–6 GHz frequency range allows satellite band testing.

34. Does it support full-duplex communication?
Yes, the platform supports FDD and TDD modes.

35. Is it suitable for 5G prototyping?
Yes, it can be used for 5G NR signal testing and prototyping.

36. What is the transmit error margin?
The transmitting frequency error is within ±1 ppm.

37. Can the SDR be synchronized across multiple boards?
Yes, it supports multi-channel phase synchronization.

38. Does it support SDR Studio software?
Yes, SDR Studio is provided for signal acquisition, playback, and spectrum analysis.

39. Can it generate noise signals like AWGN?
Yes, it supports AWGN noise generation for testing.

40. What humidity conditions can it operate in?
It can work in 2% to 95% humidity (non-condensing) at 25°C.

41. What is the supported working temperature range?
It operates between -40°C to +60°C.

42. Can it be used for IoT wireless testing?
Yes, it is excellent for IoT and LPWAN protocol experiments.

43. Does it support Ethernet streaming?
Yes, it supports high-speed streaming via Gigabit Ethernet.

44. Can I develop custom FPGA code for it?
Yes, with Xilinx Vivado, you can program custom FPGA logic.

45. Can it capture real-world signals?
Yes, it can capture and analyze real RF signals in real time.

46. Is this SDR suitable for academic research papers?
Yes, it is widely used in academic publications and PhD research projects.

47. Can the platform work with SDRangel or other SDR apps?
Yes, it can integrate with third-party SDR applications.

48. What kind of users benefit most from this SDR platform?
It is ideal for researchers, engineers, educators, and advanced SDR hobbyists.

49. Does it support MIMO experiments?
Yes, the dual TX and RX channels make it suitable for MIMO research.

50. Why should I choose this SDR platform over others?
Because it combines Xilinx FPGA processing power, AD9361 RF transceiver, MATLAB/Simulink support, wide frequency range, and multiple interfaces in one powerful, cost-effective solution.