RFSpace NetSDR IP SDR ontvanger

The NetSDR is a high-performance SDR which covers 0,01 to 34 MHz.

The NetSDR has a maximum receive bandwidth (spectrum) of 1.6MHz. The SDR is connected to the computer via an Ethernet connection (standard RJ-45 connector), not by USB. This allows a long cable connection of 100m or more.

High Performance First RX-Stage
The NetSDR is a readyto use solution with a very sophisticated first receiver stage. The device has 10 sub-octave preselector filters, a pre-amplifier and a 3-level switchable attenuator. Im contrast to other SDRs on the market, no optional preamplifiers or filters are required. The NetSDR works with Moetronix 'SpectraVue' software and with Simon Browns SDR-Radio.com (SDR-Console). SpectraVue and an OpenSource program called 'CuteSDR' are included in shipment. The software can demodulate digital and analog signals and record a max. 1-6MHz wide spectrum to disk for later analysis.

The high performance of the NetSDR is achieved by using a 80MHz/16bit analog/digital converter and a Xilinx FPGA. Special DSP techniques like dithering and randomizing are used to reduced the quantisation noise even further. During operation the SDR communicates only by Ethernet with the computer, the USB interface on the rear is only used for setup. This offers a much better performance than USB based solutions.

Remote Operation
Tne NetSDR can be used remotely over the internet. Several receivers can be distributed and used collectively by assigning different IP adresses or using different port numbers. The access can be either direct to the SDR if a high-bandwidth access is possible. Or you use the SDR-Console software which requires less than 10KB/s for a full 1.6MHz waterfall spectrum plus decoded audio. The required bandwidth for direct access can be controlled by software configuration parameters.

Open Application Programming Interface
RFspace, the manufacturer of the NetSDR has decided to publish the specs for the software interface of the NetSDR. Even if you are not a programmer you will benefit from this open specification, because other software authors can and will publish more software. This widens the choice of available prgrams for you. A free and OpenSourcce software is 'CuteSDR', another free program is SDR-Radio.com by Simon Brown.

The SDR-Radio.com Software allows the use of the NetSDR receiver directly or over the internet. When using the internet the datarate is reduced so that a bandwidth of less than 10KB/s is required, even for transmission of a full 1.6MHz waterfall spectrum plus the decoded audio.

NetSDR as Tracking Receiver
As an alternative to the direct utilisation of the NetSDR as a receiver the device can be used as a tracking receiver. For this nearly any radio (or scanner) with an IF output can be used as a front end. To use the CAT control of the radio the NetSDR has a serial interface which supports CAT control for Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood and Elecraft radios (using SDR-Radio.com software). If the radio has no IF output you can use the optional IF-2000 board for the Yaesu FT-950 or FT-2000.

The benefit of the integrated CAT control is that the frequency on the computer always shows the correct frequency, even if the NetSDR is 'only' listening on the fixed IF output. Frequency control works as well, e.g. by clicking on the spectrum. Another benefit is that the NetSDR now uses the front end of the radio, again raising the receiver specs to that of the front end. Of course the SDR back end can now use the entire frequency range of the front end, for example up to 2GHz when using an Icom IC-R8500 scanner.

Other options for the NetSDR are an ultr low noise oscillator, or a 10MHz reference input (GPS), which synchronises receivers distrubuted worldwide.

Size 22 x 37 x 18cm, connector for 5V, 1.5A, comes with power supply included.

NetSDR Board

The main benefits of NetSDR at a glance:

very powerful front end with 10 bandpassfilters, switchable attenuators and pre-amp with high dynamic range

Optional 10MHz frequency reference for worldwide synchronisation of many receivers over the internet

Ready for the future by using exchangeable down converters

The sampling rate of 2MHz allows display, storage and detailed analysis of a spectrum up to 1.6MHz wide

Communication via 100MBit/s standard Ethernet instead of slow and possibly noisy USB

Includes SpectraVue Software

Supports free SDR-Radio.com software

OpenSource software 'CuteSDR' included in shipment, runs under Windows, MacOS and Linux

NetSDR supports software for remote operation via the internet

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Range: 0.01 - 32 MHz *

Digital Down Converter: Xilinx FPGA

Synchronization : Optional 10 MHz reference input

PC Interface: Ethernet 100 base-T  (UDP/TCP/IP)

Filters: 115+ dB 80% alias free BW

Output IQ Sample Rate: 12.5 KHz to 2 MHz

Output I/Q Bandwidth: 10 KHz to 1.60 MHz *NEW* DDC Flatness: <0.5 dB

Dynamic Range: 105 dB
Phase noise @ 15 MHz: -152 dBc/Hz @10KHz

MDS Preamp Off (500Hz): -128dBm 10 MHz

MDS Preamp On (500Hz): -129dBm 10 MHz

Analog to Digital Converter: 16 bit  *NEW*
IQ RX Mute Control: Available on RS-232 pin *NEW* Preselection: 10 sub-octave filters

Attenuators: 0, -10dB, -20dB, -30dB

Sample Rate:  80.000 MHz

Memory for 40 MHz Wide Mode: 65536 x 16 bit

External Radio Control: Built-in RS-232 port

Dimensions: 9” x 1.5” x 7.1” W x H x L

Power: 5 Volts DC @ 1.5 Amp **

Connections: 3 x BNC (RF 1, Ext Ref, IF Out/RF 2) , RS-232, USB Setup, Stereo In, Ethernet, Power, RX Mute.
Compliance: CE,FCC,IC

* Usable to 34 MHz+

Ethernet Bandwidth Requirements:

2.00 MHz Output Sample Rate = 64.0Mb/s*16bit IQ

1.00 MHz Output Sample Rate = 48.0Mb/s*24bit IQ 0.50 MHz Output Sample Rate = 24.0Mb/s*24bit IQ 0.01 MHz Output Sample Rate = 0.60Mb/s*24bit IQ

*Specifications subject to change without notice.