Atek Midas
Software Defined Radio
ATEK1001 is a software-controlled, sub-octave filter bank or "preselector" that covers a frequency range of 485-7700 MHz in seven bands. It utilizes the ATEK MIDAS ATEK950AP6 IC, which, in addition to providing filtering across seven fixed-frequency bands, has an off-chip bypass mode that can be used for full bypass, or alternatively to engage additional external filtering.
This preselector is a versatile, highly useful tool for providing programmable bandpass filtering for a software-defined radio, among other applications. In the receive path, that filtering can be used to mitigate the effect of strong blocking signals; in the transmit path, it can be used to help reduce out-of-band radiation. ATEK1001 aims to provide an affordable filter bank for radio enthusiasts and SDR users.
In the demo video above, the Lime Micro team shows ATEK1001 being used with a LimeNET Micro in the receive path while undergoing simple tests with a signal generator. The preselector is configured via USB and has a 70 MHz low-pass filter fitted in the bypass position.
ATEK950AP6 is a switchable, sub-octave bandpass filter bank with external bypass that covers 485-7700 MHz frequency bands. This filter bank consists of an SP8T switch followed by seven fixed-frequency bandpass filters followed by another SP8T switch. Both arms of each SP8T switch are used to send the input/output signals to two pins. This allows users to bypass the filter bank off-chip. Alternatively, additional off-chip filters or filter banks can be implemented using this bypass feature. The ATEK950AP6 chip is available for purchase in a 6 mm x 6 mm QFN-40 package.
ATEK1001 EVB | ADMV8818-EVALZ | AM3025AEval | |
---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer | ATEK MIDAS | Analog Devices Inc. | Atlanta Micro |
Core chip part number | ATEK950AP6 | ADMV8818 | AM3025A |
Frequency range | 485 MHz - 7.7 GHz | 2 - 18 GHz | 400 MHz - 6 GHz |
Quiescent current | 15 mA | ~2 mA | 18 mA |
Maximum RF input power | 15 dBm | 20 dBm | 27 dBm |
IIP3 | 44 dB | 45 dB | 45 dB |
Stopband rejection | 40-45 dB | 35 dB | 40-45 dB |
Return loss / match | 15 dB | 10 dB | Unknown |
Passband ripple | 1.5 dB | 2 dB | 1.5 dB |
Switching speed / retuning speed | 150 nS | 1 uS | 250 nS |
Insertion loss | ~ 7 dB | ~ 10 dB | ~ 7 dB |
Control interface | USB | Custom Serial Interface (USB requires additional board) | GPIO |
Open source | HW + SW (excluding chip) | No | No |
Chip size | 6 mm x 6 mm | 9 mm x 9 mm | 9 mm x 9 mm |
Chip maximum channel/junction temperature for 1 million hours of MTTF | 150° C | 135° C | Unknown |
Eval board price | $300 | $1,547 | $850 |
Chip price | $150 | ~$450-500 | ~$220-300 |
You will find the datasheet for ATEK1001 on our website and its source code and design files in our GitHub repository:
And please feel free to reach out using the Ask a technical question link below.
Within the ATEK950AP6 filter bank chip lies the core technology for the ATEK1001 pre-selector module. ATEK1001 samples have been evaluated and approved by a key customer for harsh field scenarios. We would like to deliver this technology to all users around the world. Both the chipset and the USB-controlled evaluation board have evolved through several versions. Their performance has been verified and they are now ready, with your support, to be mass produced. The initial production run of the chipset mask will be identical to our tested-and-verified design, but we need your support to reduce the cost of mass production and bring this technology to radio enthusiast and SDR users.
We at ATEK have worked for some of the best and largest RF- and Microwave-chipset vendors in the world, and the productization procedure we follow meets the standards of these vendors. The core technology we use to manufacture our chipset has been around for three decades and is widely used by manufacturers in the test-and-measurement, military, and space sectors due to its robustness and RF performance. Our technology has a mean time between failures (MTBF) of a million hours at a junction/channel temperature of 150° C, which is much better than a typical CMOS chipset used in a mobile headset, computer or tablet. We do not foresee any major risks or challenges associated with our chipset or evaluation board.
After testing and packaging the production batch of ATEK1001 boards, we will send them on to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will distribute them to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
"For some of you, [the ATEK1001] will be the most exciting thing you've heard about this week."
Produced by Atek Midas in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
A fully assembled evaluation board for the ATEK1001 filterbank chip (ATEK950AP6), including a female USB Type-B port and two 4-hole flange-mount SMA connectors. Pre-installed in a custom-milled aluminum enclosure.
A fully assembled evaluation board for the ATEK1001 filterbank chip (ATEK950AP6), including a USB Type-B receptacle and two soldered, edge-mount SMA connectors.
ATEK950AP6 is a sub-octave switchable filter bank covering 485–7700 MHz.
Istanbul, Turkey · atekmidas.com
We develop high-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC/MMIC) products for satellite communication, telecommunications, test and measurement and aerospace and defense markets.