Leading global technology solutions provider, Avnet has introduced an evaluation kit that explores direct RF sampling with the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale + RFSoC from the antenna to digital using software tools from MathWorks and RF components from Qorvo. A 2-Channel RF Front-end 1.8 GHz Card from Qorvo is also used in this kit.
The Avnet RFSoC Explorer supports signal capture & analysis with MATLAB and Simulink. It does direct-RF sampling without an external RF mixer and supports over-the-air testing with an LTE Band-3 1800 MHz FDD front end. The kit is ideal for heterogeneous small cells, satellite communication, software-defined radio, pre-distortion power amplifier linearization, cellular testers, channel sounding, tactical radio, Satcom, cockpit radios, and UAV applications.
Key features of Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 Evaluation Board
- Rapid prototyping platform using the XCZU28DR-2EFFVG1517 device.
- Supports 8x 4GSPS 12-bit ADCs, 8x 6.5GSPS 14-bit DAC, and 8 soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FECs).
- 4GB DDR4 memory for large sample buffer storage.
- On-board reference PLL (LMK04208) and RF PLLs (LMX2594) generate RF-ADC and RF-DAC sample clocks.
- Two Samtec LPAF connectors for access to RF-ADC/RF-DAC clocking and data path signals.
Key features of Qorvo 2-Channel RF Front-end 1.8 GHz Card
- Two channels, each with Tx, Rx, and DPD (Digital Pre Distortion) Observation path.
- Default tuning to LTE Band 3 / 1800 MHz FDD System.
- OTA testing as single-channel UE, base station, or loopback.
- Channel 1: TX @ 1842.5MHz, RX @ 1747.5MHz.
- Channel 2: TX @ 1747.5MHz, RX @ 1842.5MHz.
- Digital Step Attenuators in TX, RX, and DPD paths.
- 75 MHz bandpass filters in TX and RX paths.
- 180 MHz TX observation bandpass filters for Digital Pre-distortion (DPD).
- QPA9903 0.5 Watt High-Efficiency Linearizable Power Amplifiers.
- QPL9096 Ultra-Low-Noise Bypass LNAs.
- RMS Power Detector & Overvoltage protection circuit.
Click here to learn more about the kit.
