RF system designers are increasingly asked to capture wide frequency ranges, process data locally and reduce equipment size without reducing capability. Traditional architectures rely on multiple devices to handle high-speed conversion, FPGA logic for filtering and shaping and a separate processor to manage control and system functions. This increases power usage, complicates board layouts and slows down the development cycle when moving from lab hardware to field deployment.
Single-Chip RF Processing for Faster System Development
Alpha Data has introduced three products designed to shorten this path by using AMD Versal RF adaptive SoCs as the core processing engine. These platforms integrate direct RF sampling, digital signal processing acceleration and programmable logic in a single chip along with an embedded Arm processing subsystem. The combination allows engineers to move between prototyping and deployment without redesigning the entire signal chain.
Key Technical Details
The Versal RF architecture is built around heterogeneous compute resources that process signals where they enter the system. Direct RF conversion enables the reception and transmission of 16 wideband channels without the need for external down-conversion stages. Dedicated DSP blocks and AI processing engines handle filtering, beamforming and other computational tasks before data leaves the device. Programmable logic supports customisation when algorithms change.
The Alpha Data platforms come in three formats aligned to common development stages. The ADA PA310 is a PCI Express card for use in workstations and servers. The ADA SA320 is a standalone unit intended for bench evaluation or rack based environments. The ADA VA330 follows a 3U VPX layout that meets SOSA requirements for defence and aerospace installations. The shared architecture helps projects transition from early experimentation to rugged platforms without reworking the core processing design.
Integration and Design Considerations
A single chip approach reduces board complexity and gives RF teams more control over latency, filtering depth and onboard data movement. Using COTS solutions also supports lifecycle planning, which is critical in long running aerospace and communications programmes. Designers working across land, sea and air platforms can select the format that fits their thermal envelope and I/O approach without changing software stacks or algorithm layouts.
Why It Matters
As data volume grows across radar, electronic monitoring and wireless communication systems, the limitations of distributing the RF chain across multiple components become more obvious. Platforms based on adaptive SoC technology simplify how signals are captured and processed while offering headroom for mission specific updates. Developers can progress from a lab card to a deployed system faster by retaining the same processing fundamentals throughout the project.
Learn more and read the original announcement on www.alpha-data.com
You may also like
