Epiq Solutions, an engineering firm specialising in the development of flexible wireless communications systems, has announced Matchstiq™, billed as the world's smallest commercially available software defined radio (SDR) capable of tuning from 300 MHz to 3.8 GHz. Measuring just 5.6 x 12 x 2.3 cm, the Matchstiq combines a broadband RF transceiver with a flexible baseband processing engine running under the Linux operating system.

 

Matchstiq includes an Atlas-I-LPe computer module developed by iVeia Inc, which combines a Xilinx Spartan-6 LX45 FPGA with a Texas Instruments 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor running under Linux. This platform supports a wide range of advanced signal processing tasks while consuming as little as 3 watts in typical receive-only use.

 

When combined with the library of signal processing applications available from Epiq Solutions or other software suites, such as GNU Radio, Matchstiq enables an array of capabilities including operation as a point-to-point data modem, LTE survey tool, or portable spectrum analyzer. A development kit is also available for users who wish to create their own custom applications.

 

Matchstiq will start shipping in December 2011 with single unit pricing set at USD 4,500.

 

Image: Epiq