Software Defined Radio

Overview

The vProtean M.2 is the newest addition to Vanteon’s vProtean family of high-performance Software Defined Radios (SDRs), delivering exceptional radio processing density in a compact, embedded form factor. Built for demanding RF applications, the vProtean M.2 is a highly flexible wideband SDR that supports dual transmit and dual receive capabilities.

Its advanced RF front end is configurable in both frequency and bandwidth, while the integrated transceiver delivers outstanding narrowband performance — making it ideal for applications that require precise, low-latency RF signal processing in a small footprint.

vProtean|M.2 Platform Features

The vProtean M.2 platform from Vanteon delivers unmatched radio processing performance and flexibility in a compact M.2 form factor. Designed for advanced RF and embedded applications, the vProtean M.2 offers the following key features:

• Full Bandwidth IQ Transport:
  Supports simultaneous full bandwidth IQ transport for both transmit and both receive paths, ensuring efficient, high-speed data flow.

• Stand-Alone Waveform and Baseband Processing:
  Enables onboard waveform and baseband processing without the need for external IQ generation or receive processing, allowing true stand-alone operation.

• Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC:
  Utilizes the Xilinx UltraScale+â„¢ MPSoC for exceptional signal processing performance, providing both flexibility and processing power for complex RF applications.

• Quad ARM Cortex-A53 and Dual Cortex-R5F Processors:
  Embedded within the UltraScale+ core, these processors deliver high-performance computation for control, management, and real-time operations.

• ADI ADRV9004 Wideband RF Transceiver:
  Integrated Analog Devices ADRV9004 transceiver supports a broad RF frequency range for wideband and narrowband applications.

• Performance-Enhancing RF Front End (RFFE):
  An upgraded RF Front End (RFFE) improves overall RF performance beyond the native capabilities of the transceiver.

• Multi-Channel and Multi-Chip Synchronization:
  Supports precise synchronization across multiple channels and multiple devices, enabling scalable, phase-coherent systems.

• Full Duplex Operation at 40 MHz Bandwidth:
  Delivers simultaneous transmit and receive on both channels using I/Q baseband or digital data streams.

• M.2 M-Key Form Factor with PCIe Pluggability:
  Provides easy integration into embedded systems via four (4) PCI Express lanes, with additional support for UART and I2C interfaces.

• External RF Inputs for Clock Reference and Synchronization:
  Supports external RF signals, such as 1 PPS, for precise timing and synchronization in complex networked applications.

Export Control
For export classification purposes vProtean|M.2 SoMs, evaluation kits, and its underlying IP are classified under the following U.S. Export Control Classification Number (ECCN): 5A991.c.

vProtean M.2 Performance Specifications

The vProtean M.2 delivers high-density Software Defined Radio (SDR) performance in a compact M.2 form factor, ideal for embedded, low-power RF applications. Key performance specifications include:

• Configurable RF Front End with 0 dBm Transmit Power
  Provides flexible transmit capability for a variety of RF applications and development needs.

• Wide Frequency Range: 30 MHz to 6000 MHz
  Supports a broad range of wireless communication bands, from narrowband to wideband operations.

• Instantaneous Bandwidth: 12 kHz to 40 MHz
  Enables precise signal capture and processing across diverse RF environments.

• Low Power Consumption
  Optimized for embedded and portable systems where efficiency and thermal management are critical.

• Dual Transmit and Dual Receive (2 TX / 2 RX) Operability
  Supports full duplex communications, ideal for complex and simultaneous RF transmit/receive scenarios.

• Compact M.2 Form Factor (22 mm x 80 mm)
  Designed for easy integration into space-constrained systems with standard M.2 connectivity.

• On-Board Memory
  Features 32 MB QSPI Flash and a Micro-SD Card slot for flexible storage options, plus 2 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM for high-speed processing.

• UART and SPI Debug Ports
  Provides accessible interfaces for debugging, system monitoring, and streamlined development.

Unlock the Potential of the vProtean M.2 SDR

The vProtean M.2 from Vanteon delivers unmatched flexibility and performance in a compact, embeddable Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform. Whether you’re developing next-generation wireless systems, high-density RF solutions, or edge-deployable SDR applications, the vProtean M.2 offers the tools and technology to accelerate your success.

Vanteon offers the vProtean M.2 IP for licensing, allowing integration into your custom hardware platforms. For rapid development and deployment, System-on-Modules (SOMs) and evaluation kits are available for purchase directly from Vanteon.

Contact us today to explore how the vProtean M.2 SDR platform can power your next RF innovation.

Use Cases

Resources

Customize vProtean with Vanteon’s Design Services

Have an application that requires a modification not listed above? Reach out to us and we can customize any of our vProtean SDRs to meet your needs.

Vanteon has been offering electronic engineering services since 1985. We have a diverse team of software, firmware, hardware, and RF engineers ready to customize our vProtean Solutions for your specific application. Vanteon’s IP offerings can be used to jumpstart your project.

Licensable Soft-Cores

Are you looking for assistance with your waveform or software design? Starting from Vanteon’s module library, we can customize a software solution for you. With a design services contract, Vanteon offers a range of soft cores for license, including: