High Performance RF Transceiver Launched

Epiq Solutions has introduced the Sidekiq VPX400, a SOSA-aligned RF transceiver solution designed to support rapid development of converged SIGINT/EW platforms. The Sidekiq VPX400 provides a complete antenna-to-bits, multi-channel, phase coherent RF transceiver solution with multi-receive and multi-transmit capabilities in a 3U VPX card form factor.

This high performance transceiver solution includes both software and FPGA reference designs that support version 2.4 of the Modular Open RF Architecture (MORA) specification, simplifying system integration into any MORA-compliant system. VITA 49.2 is also supported for command, control, and streaming over 10 or 40 gigabit ethernet to the VPX backplane.

With a foundation in modular open system architecture, low SWaP, and flexibility, Sidekiq VPX400 is ideal for expanding system capabilities and functional agility in space-constrained C5ISR, SIGINT and EW systems platforms while streamlining system engineering efforts and related costs.

Built on Epiq Solutions’ proven Sidekiq X4 RF transceiver utilizing two Analog Devices ADRV9009 RFICs, the Sidekiq VPX400 has a wide RF tuning range up to 6 GHz, with flexibility to be configured for either 4-channel phase coherent operation at 200 MHz instantaneous bandwidth (IBW) or two independently tunable channels at 400 MHz IBW for a total of 800 MHz IBW.

Other key features of Sidekiq VPX400 include:

• Integrated Xilinx Kintex Ultrascale KU115 FPGA for high performance, cost-effective signal processing and backplane I/O
• Integrated Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC ZU7EV running Linux for executing the MORA device layer software locally
• Conforms to OpenVPX slot profile SLT3-PAY-1F1U1S1S1U1U2F1H-14.6.11-4
• Supports VITA 67.3 for backplane RF I/O
• Supports PCIe and10/40 GbE
• Typical operation consumes less than 30W of power
• Available in conduction cooled housing for deployment, or air-cooled housing for development

“We are thrilled to continue delivering highly integrated, cost-effective multi-channel software-defined radios with a modular open system architecture at their foundation,” stated John Orlando, CEO at Epiq Solutions. “Our SDR portfolio and application software will continue to expand in this coming year, providing the flexibility and rapid response needed to keep up with the evolving RF threat landscape.”