Atek Midas
Software Defined Radio

ATEK1001

An open source, low-cost, software-definable front end preselector for SDRs and wideband receivers

$55,350 raised

of $73,000 goal

76% Funded Time Expired
Nov 16 2021
ended

Recent Updates

You'll be notified about news and stock updates for this project.

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.

See ATEK1001 in Action

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.

The ATEK950AP6 Chip

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.

Features & Specifications

Comparisons

ATEK1001 EVBADMV8818-EVALZAM3025AEval
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 current15 mA ~2 mA 18 mA
Maximum RF input power15 dBm 20 dBm 27 dBm
IIP344 dB 45 dB 45 dB
Stopband rejection40-45 dB 35 dB 40-45 dB
Return loss / match15 dB 10 dB Unknown
Passband ripple1.5 dB 2 dB 1.5 dB
Switching speed / retuning speed150 nS 1 uS 250 nS
Insertion loss~ 7 dB ~ 10 dB ~ 7 dB
Control interfaceUSB Custom Serial Interface (USB requires additional board) GPIO
Open sourceHW + SW (excluding chip) No No
Chip size6 mm x 6 mm 9 mm x 9 mm 9 mm x 9 mm
Chip maximum channel/junction temperature for 1 million hours of MTTF150° C 135° C Unknown
Eval board price$300 $1,547 $850
Chip price$150 ~$450-500 ~$220-300

Support & Documentation

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.

Manufacturing Plan

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.

Risks & Challenges

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.

Fulfillment & Logistics

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.

In the Press

Electromaker

"For some of you, [the ATEK1001] will be the most exciting thing you've heard about this week."


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Produced by Atek Midas in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.

ATEK1001

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.

$419 Free Worldwide Shipping

ATEK1001 Evaluation Board

A fully assembled evaluation board for the ATEK1001 filterbank chip (ATEK950AP6), including a USB Type-B receptacle and two soldered, edge-mount SMA connectors.

$300 Free Worldwide Shipping

ATEK1001 Filterbank Chip

ATEK950AP6 is a sub-octave switchable filter bank covering 485–7700 MHz.

$150 Free Worldwide Shipping

About the Team

Atek Midas

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.

Kagan Kaya
Ercan Altuntas

See Also

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