LimeSDR,SDR,Transceiver, USB, type A, Connector, 100 kHz – 3.8 GHz (12Bit)

LimeSDR,SDR,Transceiver, USB, type A, Connector, 100 kHz – 3.8 GHz

From Radio Astronomy to Personal Telcos
Here are just some of the applications that are possible with the LimeSDR:

• Radio astronomy
• RADAR
• 2G to 4G cellular basestation
• Media streaming
• IoT gateway
• HAM radio
• Wireless keyboard and mice emulation and detection
• Tire pressure monitoring systems
• Aviation transponders
• Utility meters
• Drone command and control
• Test and measurement
• Many more…

With state-of-the-art technical specs, fully open hardware and toolchain, and integration with Snappy Ubuntu Core’s app distribution platform, LimeSDR is limited only by our collective imagination.

Features & Specifications

• RF Transceiver: Lime Microsystems LMS7002M MIMO FPRF (Datasheet)
• FPGA: Altera Cyclone IV EP4CE40F23 - also compatible with EP4CE30F23
• Memory: 256 MBytes DDR2 SDRAM
• USB 3.0 controller: Cypress USB 3.0 CYUSB3014-BZXC
• Oscillator: Rakon RPT7050A @30.72MHz (Datasheet)
• Continuous frequency range: 100 kHz – 3.8 GHz
• Bandwidth: 61.44 MHz
• RF connection: 10 U.FL connectors (6 RX, 4 TX)
• Power Output (CW): up to 10 dBm
• Multiplexing: 2x2 MIMO
• Power: micro USB connector or optional external power supply
• Status indicators: programmable LEDs
• Dimensions: 100 mm x 60 mm

Block Diagram

Free and Open Source
Over the last three years, we’ve worked on numerous open source projects, all made available through Myriad-RF. This is no different, open source is central to LimeSDR:

• Board schematics: Altium project files available under CC BY 3.0 licence.
• Board layout: Altium project files available under CC BY 3.0 licence.
• Manufacturing: Gerbers, drill, and pick & place files are also available under CC BY 3.0 licence.
• FPGA: Altera Quartus project available under CC BY 3.0 licence.
• Host connectivity: Cypress FX3 USB 3.0 controller firmware sources available under Apache 2.0 licence.
• Host software: driver and GUI sources available under Apache 2.0 licence.
• Programming toolchain packages: GNU Radio, Pothos, SoapySDR, UHD.
• Documentation: transceiver datasheets are NDA-free.
• Downloadable apps: Snappy Ubuntu Core, licensing up to app developers.

The LimeSDR is based on Lime Microsystem’s latest generation of field programmable RF transceiver technology, combined with FPGA and microcontroller chipsets. These connect to a computer via USB3.

LimeSDR then delivers the wireless data and the CPU provides the computing power required to process the incoming signals, and to generate the data to be transmitted by the LimeSDR to all other devices.

Software Defined Radio
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a virtualised radio with operating parameters configured in software running commodity hardware. Until now this programmability has been the missing piece in the virtualised communications network, extending software control from the core to the Radio Access Network (RAN). This requires a new type of silicon, the field programmable RF (FPRF) device to cater for any deployment with optimum cost and flexibility.   Lime Micro is the leader in this field with FPRF being a fundamental component of LimeSDR.

LimeSDR is a disruptive radio access innovation platform allowing wireless providers and operators to rapidly offer new services, and participate successfully in otherwise unprofitable business sectors. LimeSDR allows any device to be enhanced with a software enabled radio, opening up the possibility of embedding IOT gateways, or even an LTE small cell in everyday consumer products. Our radio solutions can be deployed anywhere connecting to any processor creating networks that are modular, low maintenance and scalable.

Software defined, virtualised radio is clearly established as the way forward for the wireless industry offering increased agility, cost savings and the opportunity to scale fast and explore new models of deployment.

Lime has partnered with Ubuntu to create app stores for its LimeSDR and LimeNET software-defined radio devices.

Created for both wireless operators, seeking to roll-out networks, and wireless developers, creating innovative platforms, the app stores enable developers to download technology stacks and package their own applications quickly, easily and reliably.

LimeNET App Store

This store contains reference applications from Lime Micro and LimeNET certified apps from partners.

The LimeNET store can be used with both LimeNET hardware and third party systems equipped with a LimeSDR board. However, commercial support may only be provided with LimeNET certified hardware solutions.

Developers, radio hams and SDR enthusiasts etc. are generally advised to use the LimeSDR App Store.

Installing apps

This website simply provides a window into the app store. To configure a snap enabled system to use the LimeNET app store:

Classic Ubuntu:
$ sudo echo "UBUNTU_STORE_ID=LimeNET" >> /etc/environment
$ sudo service snapd restart
Ubuntu Core:
A pre-configured Core image will be published soon

Software downloads

• Ubuntu
• Lime Suite
• GNU Radio
• Mac OS X
  • Lime Suite
• Windows
  • ​PothoSDR development environment

Documentation

• LMS7002M Datasheet
• LimeSDR Quick Start
• Lime Suite
• LimeSDR-USB Quick Test
• Packaging

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