Epiq Solutions has announced the Sidekiq NV800 - the latest addition to Epiq's software-defined radio (SDR) portfolio. It's a breakthrough SDR platform for high-performance capability in a low-size-weight-and-power (SWaP) form factor. Sidekiq NV800 is set to enable the next generation of applications for RF spectrum monitoring, wireless device detection, counter unmanned aerial systems (cUAS), and signals intelligence.
Sidekiq NV800 Feature Breakdown
- Comprehensive RF Integration - Houses 8 RF receivers and a dedicated RF transmitter within a single streamlined SDR platform.
- Extended Operating Range - Supports RF channels from 30 MHz to 6GHz with plans to stretch one RF receiver's capability up to 18 GHz.
- Instantaneous Bandwidth - Delivers an impressive up to 8x independent RF receivers with 50 MHz of bandwidth each, for a total of 400 MHz
- Fast Frequency Hopping - Achieves a rapid RF ingest rate of up to ~500 GHz-per-second on all RF channels.
- Versatile Operational Modes - Offers both phase coherent and independent operation modes with the flexibility to maintain and sweep channels.
- Efficient Data Management - Transmits IQ data swiftly to the primary processor through VITA49 packets over a 10GbE connection.
- Low power consumption - Operates efficiently, with the Sidekiq NV800 typically consuming under 25W.
- Compact Design - Features dimensions of 9.92" x 7.24" x 2.0", with a total volume of 144-inch3.
- Next-Gen Synchronization - Employs the WhiteRabbit synchronization standard for precision time synchronization, achieving less than 1ns.
- Power Options - Provides the flexibility to power using PoE++ or a standard DC input connector.
Inside the Sidekiq NV800: Architecture
Epiq's team combined the power of the latest releases from Analog Devices and AMD to create the Sidekiq NV800. This SDR incorporates four ADRV9004 RF transceivers, all streaming data and command & control to an AMD ZU7 Ultrascale+ FPGA. The ZU7 FPGA supports the VITA49 interface as well as the WhiteRabbit synchronization. The entire SDR platform is controlled through a RESTful API in the host computer named ERFS (Embedded RF Sensor), which abstracts the thousands of control registers in the SDR to simple radio commands like frequency, bandwidth, gain, etc.
Here is a block diagram of the Sidekiq NV800.
Putting NV800 to the Test: Cellular Activity Monitoring
The Sidekiq NV800 can support staring and sweeping modes in phase coherent or phase independent operation. This allows for broadband signal monitoring, direction finding, and geolocation applications. The VITA49 data that streams off the Sidekiq NV800 unit can be processed by a wide range of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or government off-the-shelf (GOTS) applications. Here are a few examples.
One application for the Sidekiq NV800 is to monitor active cellular activity around the SDR. The RF receiver channels in the Sidekiq NV800 can be tuned to a known cellular frequency band and set to a stare function, where the receiver persistently observes the same frequency, searching for activity. In the plots below, the 750 MHz band is being received by the Sidekiq NV800 and sent to a host computer. On the left, the cellular data is plotted by Inspectrum, an open-source RF analysis tool. On the right, the same data is being analyzed by the 3dB Labs SCEPTRE tool, an industry-leading application for providing signal intelligence and RF analysis capability.
Both tools provide insight into the RF spectrum, but 3dB Labs SCEPTRE offers more information about the signal details, power level, geolocation, and more.
In addition, to stare mode, the Sidekiq NV800 also supports sweeping mode, where the RF frequency of the SDR is fast-tuned to different frequencies of interest. The plot below shows the Sidekiq NV800 scanning across different cellular frequencies of interest. First, the SDR receives at 1.93 GHz for 20 ms, then fast hops to 880 MHz, where it receives for 40 ms, and finally hops to 740 MHz for a receive dwell of 15 ms. The SDR then hops back to the first frequency of 1.93 GHz to start the receiving loop again.
A Decade of RF Excellence
Drawing on the powerful capabilities highlighted above, it's clear that the Sidekiq NV800 stands as a testament to Epiq's long-standing dedication to pushing the boundaries of high-performance, low SWaP SDR platforms. With eight RF receivers in a single platform, the Sidekiq NV800 encapsulates mission-critical features like phase coherency, geolocation, and rapid frequency hopping, all within a compact, low-power framework and streamlined interfaces like VITA49.
Click here to learn more about Sidekiq NV800 from Epiq Solutions.
