PYNQSDR Hat is an add-on extension board that brings SDR capabilities to the Diligent PYNQ-Z1 Python Productivity Board. Based on the feature-rich Analog Devices AD9361 radio chip, PYNQSDR greatly expands your ability to develop custom SDR solutions on a budget.

Add PYNQSDR and the PlutoSDR firmware to your PYNQ-Z1! Listen to FM radio, catch flight ADS-B with dump1090, simulate GPS signals, or run custom RF communication with GNURadio. Out-of-the-box Openwifi support gives you a full-stack 802.11 Wi-Fi development tool. Its flexibility makes it a great addition to your hardware arsenal.

Dynamic Duo

There are a lot of SDR options available today. The powerful combination of a ZYNQ FPGA and an AD936X chips is a known quantity. With PYNQSDR’s ability to use these chips together or separately, it’s finally possible to do SDR development without a separate board—just add this HAT to your PYNQ-Z1.

With a single, simple setup for both the ZYNQ and AD936X, you can capture packets with Openwifi today, and experiment with the PYNQ framework tomorrow, sending and receiving HDMI videos. In the future, PYNQSDR may work with EBAZ4205, on which PlutoSDR has already been verified and is working. If you’re an FPGA person who wants to dabble in the SDR world or vice versa, PYNQSDR is an appealing new product. If you already own a PYNQ-Z1, you’re in luck!

Features & Specifications

• Analog Devices AD9361 RF Agile Transceiver
  • 70 MHz - 6 GHz, 1 RX/1 TX
  • Bandwidth <200 kHz - 40 MHz (this is a signal integrity limitation by the PYNQ-Z1 wiring; replacing the 200 Ω resistors on PYNQ-Z1 PMOD with 0 Ω can enable the maximum bandwidth of 56 MHz).
• LVDS interface routed via two short HDMI cables and two PMOD plugs, with RX from LVDS to TMDS33, and TX from LVCMOS33 to LVDS.
• GPIO controls are level-shifted from 3.3 V to 1.8 V.
• No external power supply required.
• No modification on PYNQ-Z1 required during PlutoSDR/Openwifi operation.
• Included accessories: 2x HDMI cables, 2x PMOD bridges, 2x Antennas, 2x SMA M to RP-SMA F adapters
• Size: 9.7 x 7.1 cm (3.82 x 2.8 in)
• Weight: 80 g

Open Source

PYNQSDR is open-source hardware. Please visit the GitHub repo to browse our files, schematics, and more. Our quick start and pre-built SD card firmware are available for download on our website. If you’re curious about how we created this board, check out the recording of our presentation from FOSDEM.

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