2.2 Universal Software Radio Peripheral

The SDR used for this simulation is the NI USRP 2920 (Figure 2.3). USRPs (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) are designed by Ettus Research http://www.ettus.com and its parent company National Instruments (NI).

USRP2920 Front
Figure 2.3 NI USRP2920

In Figure 2.4 we present the NI USRP 2920 schematic and in Table 2.1 its specifications.

USRP 2920 Schematic
Figure 2.4 NI USRP2920 Schematic

2.2.1 Accuracy

Frequency accuracy $f_a$ is given in parts per million (ppm) of the sample rate and is a good example of the pricision dynamics of the USRP. Frequency accuracy $f_a$, frequency error $f_e$ and the signal frequency are related with the following formulas $f_m=f_s \pm f_e=f_s/(1 \pm fa) \Rightarrow f_e=f_s*f_a$. Considering this for a $100KHz$ sine wave with $2.5ppm$ we have $fe=0.25Hz$ and therefore frequency accuracy of $100KHz \pm 0.25Hz$ which proves the high performance that can be attained with USRP2920. The USRP 2920 offers MIMO Expansion Connectivity for synchronized data transfer through the Ethernet Gb connection allowing TX - RX simulation with two USRPs. The RF signal output TX1 is connected to the RF signal input RX1 of each USRP through SMA (SubMiniature version A) cohexial RF connector with use of a $30dB$ SMA attenuator for power safety.

2.2.2 NI USRP 2920 Specifications

Table 2.1 Specifications
Frequency Range 50MHz-2.2GHz
Frequency Accuracy 2.5ppm
Frequncy Step <1kHz
Noise Figure 5-7dB
Maximum Bandwidth(16bit sampling) 20MHz
Maximum IQ sampling rate(16bit) 25MS/s
Max output Power 15dBm-20dBm
Max input Power 0dBm
Ethernet connection 1 Gigabyte

2.2.3 References

[1] NI USRP-2920 Specifications - National Instruments