The 7140 module’s front end accepts two analog HF inputs and transformer-couples them into 14-bit A/D converters sampling up to105 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.

The combination of data recording and playback capabilities in a single unit makes the RTS 2502 especially valuable for developers, according to Pentek vice president Rodger Hosking. “Instead of using simulated signals and signal analysis tools during system development of radar or communication systems,” said Hosking, “engineers take the RTS system into the field to capture and generate real-world signals in real time for direct validation of both signal-processing algorithms and system hardware.” He added that both the recording and playback functions use an industry-standard 2-gigabit Fibre Channel interface to either a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) or just a bunch of disks (JBOD) storage system. “Recording time is limited only by the size of the hard drives and it easily scales to different applications,” Hosking said.

System includes Pentek’s hardware, Communications Research Centre SCARI development suite and more; Platform enables application development for interoperability, communication among military forces, civilian emergency centers and law enforcement agencies; Low-Cost PCI, Linux solution makes Joint Tactical Radio System development attainable.