ASTRO

ASTRO, a breakthrough standalone Radio Frequency System On Chip (RFSoC), for highly adaptable RF processing in one unique RF module based on the Zync Ultrascale+ Gen 3.

The ASTRO Nova is a cutting-edge Direct RF processor module for accelerated digital beamforming, designed by experts in adaptive Digital RF systems to provide superior integration support for your tactical advantage.

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  • FPGA

    Interface

    • FMC+ form factor electrically VITA 5.4

    RF Converters

    • 8 TX, 10GSPS DACs with coherent channels
    • 8 RX, 5GSPS ADCs with coherent channels

    Memory 

    • 8GByte eMMc
    • 4Gbit Dual Quad SPI flash memory
    • 4GByte LS, DDR4 SDRAM
    • 4GByte PS, DDR4 SDRAM

    Interface Connector 

    • SD Card Interface, Boot Mode Configuration, UARTs
    • High speed GTY and GTH interfaces
    • System and RF clocks configuration interface
    • Health monitor via onboard microcontroller

    Software & firmware development 

    • Open BSP for firmware and software development

    Customisation available on request

  • The small form factor of the module is designed to be as flexible as possible. This approach allows the module to be installed into a small form factor design, the designer is required to consider the additional thermal requirements that are supported via interface documentation

    It is possible to connect the module to a VITA 57.4 mating connector, for example on an FPGA development board, further mechanical considerations required to break out the RF connector

    FPGA AMD RFSoCXCZU48DR-2FFVG1517I (Variants and Speed Grade Options)
    Quad Core (4x) ARM® Cortex -A53 MPCore – 1.3GHz
    Dual Core (2x) ARM® Cortex -R5F MPCore – 533MHz
    8x 14 bit 5 GSPS RF-ADC
    8x 14 bit 10 GSPS RF-DAC
    1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x, 40x Decimation / Interpolation
    8x SD-FEC cores (ZU48 only)
    2x PCIeGen3 x16/Gen4 x8
    Digital System ClockingConfigurable, see clocking architecture page of datasheet (available to view above)
    FMC Connector SAMTEC: SEAM-40-03.5-L-14-1-A-K-TR
    VITA 57.4 (FMC+)
    RF ConnectorDifferential
    3dB Passband 6GHz
    1Vp-p into 100 ohm
    Temperature -40°C to +70°C (dependent on cooling arrangement)
    Operational HumidityUp to 95% (non-condensing)
    Conformal Coating As required for customisation, Polyurethane / Acrylic
    EMC, VibrationOn request
    • Heatsink
    • Custom RF Payloads
    • Available in our PCIe Carrier format – ASTRO Nova 
    • Model: 020-0062
    • Description: FMC – 8CH A/D & D/A Zync Ultrascale+ RFSoC Gen 3
    • Selection: 020-0062-(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
    BuildCodeDescription / Part #
    Standard Part Number Standard020-0062-ZU48-2-I-N-8GB
    FPGAa-ZU48 = XCZU48DR-2FFVG1517I (Standard Option)
    FPGA Speed Guideb-1, -1L, -2, -2L
    Temperaturec-I = Industrial, -E = Extended
    Conformal CoatingdN = Non, A = Acrylic, P = Polyurethane
    eMMCe8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

FPGA

Interface

  • FMC+ form factor electrically VITA 5.4

RF Converters

  • 8 TX, 10GSPS DACs with coherent channels
  • 8 RX, 5GSPS ADCs with coherent channels

Memory 

  • 8GByte eMMc
  • 4Gbit Dual Quad SPI flash memory
  • 4GByte LS, DDR4 SDRAM
  • 4GByte PS, DDR4 SDRAM

Interface Connector 

  • SD Card Interface, Boot Mode Configuration, UARTs
  • High speed GTY and GTH interfaces
  • System and RF clocks configuration interface
  • Health monitor via onboard microcontroller

Software & firmware development 

  • Open BSP for firmware and software development

Customisation available on request

The small form factor of the module is designed to be as flexible as possible. This approach allows the module to be installed into a small form factor design, the designer is required to consider the additional thermal requirements that are supported via interface documentation

It is possible to connect the module to a VITA 57.4 mating connector, for example on an FPGA development board, further mechanical considerations required to break out the RF connector

FPGA AMD RFSoCXCZU48DR-2FFVG1517I (Variants and Speed Grade Options)
Quad Core (4x) ARM® Cortex -A53 MPCore – 1.3GHz
Dual Core (2x) ARM® Cortex -R5F MPCore – 533MHz
8x 14 bit 5 GSPS RF-ADC
8x 14 bit 10 GSPS RF-DAC
1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 16x, 20x, 24x, 40x Decimation / Interpolation
8x SD-FEC cores (ZU48 only)
2x PCIeGen3 x16/Gen4 x8
Digital System ClockingConfigurable, see clocking architecture page of datasheet (available to view above)
FMC Connector SAMTEC: SEAM-40-03.5-L-14-1-A-K-TR
VITA 57.4 (FMC+)
RF ConnectorDifferential
3dB Passband 6GHz
1Vp-p into 100 ohm
Temperature -40°C to +70°C (dependent on cooling arrangement)
Operational HumidityUp to 95% (non-condensing)
Conformal Coating As required for customisation, Polyurethane / Acrylic
EMC, VibrationOn request
  • Heatsink
  • Custom RF Payloads
  • Available in our PCIe Carrier format – ASTRO Nova 
  • Model: 020-0062
  • Description: FMC – 8CH A/D & D/A Zync Ultrascale+ RFSoC Gen 3
  • Selection: 020-0062-(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
BuildCodeDescription / Part #
Standard Part Number Standard020-0062-ZU48-2-I-N-8GB
FPGAa-ZU48 = XCZU48DR-2FFVG1517I (Standard Option)
FPGA Speed Guideb-1, -1L, -2, -2L
Temperaturec-I = Industrial, -E = Extended
Conformal CoatingdN = Non, A = Acrylic, P = Polyurethane
eMMCe8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

INTERESTED? GET IN TOUCH!

Our process begins with understanding your specific RF and Digital requirements. We can arrange site visits and offer initial free consultations with our engineers. Contact us on +44 (0) 113 8150046 or complete our enquiry form to find out more.

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