Analog Devices Inc. ADALM-PLUTO Active Learning Module

Analog Devices ADALM-PLUTO SDR Active Learning Module (PlutoSDR) introduces the fundamentals of software-defined radio (SDR), radio frequency (RF), and wireless communications to electrical engineering students. Designed for all levels and backgrounds, students can use this self-contained, portable RF lab in an instructor-led or self-led setting.

Portable Lab
When used with a laptop or tablet, the PlutoSDR serves as a personal portable lab that augments learning in the classroom. PlutoSDR supports the MATLAB^® and Simulink^® software packages. These software packages feature an innovative graphical user interface (GUI) enabling students to learn faster, work faster, and explore more.

Exploring RF Theory and RF Practice
Using the Analog Devices Inc. ADALM-PLUTO SDR Active Learning Module, students develop a strong foundation in real-world RF and communications as they pursue technology, science, or engineering degrees. The ADALM-PLUTO SDR Active Learning Module features independent transmit and receive signals capable of operating in full-duplex. The PlutoSDR can acquire and generate RF analog signals from 325MHz to 3.8GHz tuning range at up to 61.44MSPS. Enabled by libiio drivers, PlutoSDR supports OS X^®, Windows^®, and Linux^®, allowing students to learn on a range of devices.

Features

Portable self-contained RF learning module
Cost-effective experimentation platform
Based on Analog Devices AD9363 Highly Integrated RF Agile Transceiver and Xilinx^® Zynq Z-7010 FPGA
RF coverage from 325MHz to 3.8GHz
Up to 20MHz of instantaneous bandwidth
Flexible rate, 12-bit ADC and DAC
One transmitter and one receiver, 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
High quality plastic enclosure
Power
- 4.5V to 5.5V DC input range (USB)
Conversion Performance and Clocks
- 65.2kSPS to 61.44MSPS ADC and DAC sample rates
- 12bits ADC and DAC resolutions
- ±25ppm frequency accuracy
RF Performance
- 325MHz to 3800MHz tuning range
- 7dBm Tx power output
- <3.5dB Rx noise figure
- –34dB (2%) Rx and Tx modulation accuracy (EVM)
- No RF shielding

Digital Specifications
- 2.0 On-the-Go USB
- Single ARM Cortex^®-A9 @ 667MHz core
- 28k FPGA logic cells
- 80 DSP slices
- 4Gb (512MB) DDR3L
- 256Mb (32MB) QSPI flash
Physical Specifications
- 117mm × 79mm × 24mm dimensions
- 114g weight
- +10°C to +40°C temperature range
USB device classes supported by the PlutoSDR Host Interface:
- Mass storage (for easy firmware updates)
- Serial (for interacting with the Linux kernel/userspace on PlutoSDR)
- Networking/RNDIS (for loading and controlling custom ARM^® applications)
- Libiio (bulk USB for SDR data transfer and control)
- Device firmware upgrade (for backup firmware upgrades)

Block Diagram

Additional Resources

Software-Defined Radio for Engineers

Videos

Learn. Explore. Build.

Engineering Discovery, presented by Analog Devices and Mouser Electronics, is an introductory college enrichment program designed for high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in S.T.E.M.

Engineering Discovery