ADALM-PLUTO: A NEW $149 TX CAPABLE SDR WITH 325 – 3800 MHZ RANGE, 12-BIT ADC AND 20 MHZ BANDWIDTH

The easy to use ADALM-PLUTO active learning module (PlutoSDR)
helps introduce electrical engineering students to the fundamentals
of software-defined radio (SDR), radio frequency (RF), and wireless
communications. Designed for students at all levels and from all
backgrounds, the module can be used for both instructor-led and selfdirected
learning to help students develop a foundation in real-world
RF and communications that they can build on as they pursue science,
technology, or engineering degrees.

Connecting RF Theory with RF Practice

The PlutoSDR works as a portable lab that, when used with a host, can
augment classroom learning. MATLAB® and Simulink® are two of the
many software packages supported by PlutoSDR, and it provides an
intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) so students can learn faster, work
smarter, and explore more.

Made for Teachers, Students, and Self-Learners

The PlutoSDR features independent receive and transmit channels that can
be operated in full duplex. The active learning module can generate or acquire
RF analog signals from 325 MHz to 3800 MHz at up to 61.44 megasamples
per second (MSPS). Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, the PlutoSDR
is completely self-contained and entirely USB powered with the default
firmware. Because PlutoSDR is enabled by libiio drivers, it supports OS X®

Windows®, and Linux®, which allows students to learn and explore on a
variety of devices.
With dozens of available online tutorials for SDR-based projects, PlutoSDR
boasts labs and teaching material covering topics such as ADS-B aircraft
position, receiving NOAA and Meteor-M2 weather satellite imagery, GSM
analysis, listening to TETRA signals, pager decoding, and many more!

Features

Portable self-contained RF learning module
Cost-effective experimentation platform
RF coverage from 325 MHz to 3.8 GHz
Flexible rate, 12-bit ADC and DAC
One transmitter and one receiver (female SMA, 50 Ω)
Half or full duplex
MATLAB, Simulink support
GNU radio sink and source blocks
Libiio, a C, C++, C#, and Python API
USB 2.0 interface
Plastic enclosure
USB powered
Up to 20 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (complex I/Q)

hlet here), but it there seems to be no reason why it could not be used as a general purpose SDR. In fact it seems that @csete the author of GQRX has already made his PlutoSDR work in GQRX

The PlutoSDR is also more than just an SDR. On board is a full SoC (‘System on Chip’) which includes an FPGA and ARM processor that allows Linux to run directly on the device. The processor and Linux can access the SDR and run applications on the device itself. Over on the PlutoSDR wiki there are already a few tutorials that show how to use the SDR with MATLAB, Simulink and GNU Radio.

From the specs of this SDR the main limitation seems to be the tuning range with the lowest frequency tunable being only 325 MHz. But a simple upconverter could easily solve this limitation. As it is designed to be a learning tool for University students we also expect that there will be a lot of documentation and applications eventually built for it.

Product Overview

The easy to use ADALM-PLUTO active learning module (PlutoSDR) helps introduce electrical engineering students to the fundamentals of software-defined radio (SDR), radio frequency (RF), and wireless communications. Designed for students at all levels and from all backgrounds, the module can be used for both instructor-led and selfdirected learning to help students develop a foundation in real-world RF and communications that they can build on as they pursue science, technology, or engineering degrees.

Connecting RF Theory with RF Practice The PlutoSDR works as a portable lab that, when used with a host, can augment classroom learning. MATLAB® and Simulink® are two of the many software packages supported by PlutoSDR, and it provides an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) so students can learn faster, work smarter, and explore more. Made for Teachers, Students, and Self-Learners The PlutoSDR features independent receive and transmit channels that can be operated in full duplex. The active learning module can generate or acquire RF analog signals from 325 MHz to 3800 MHz at up to 61.44 megasamples per second (MSPS).

Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, the PlutoSDR is completely self-contained and entirely USB powered with the default firmware. Because PlutoSDR is enabled by libiio drivers, it supports OS X® , Windows® , and Linux® , which allows students to learn and explore on a variety of devices. With dozens of available online tutorials for SDR-based projects, PlutoSDR boasts labs and teaching material covering topics such as ADS-B aircraft position, receiving NOAA and Meteor-M2 weather satellite imagery, GSM analysis, listening to TETRA signals, pager decoding, and many more!

Buy at 149,00