Lime Microsystems
Software Defined Radio

LimeRFE

A Software-Definable RF Front End Module for LimeSDR Platforms

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$1,499

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A Complete Solution for Custom HAM, Cellular, and Wideband Networks

The Lime RF Front End (LimeRFE) is an open hardware RF front end module with support circuitry to augment the LimeSDR, LimeSDR Mini, and LimeNET Micro platforms, providing a complete solution that addresses real life applications ranging from HAM radio to standards-compliant cellular network implementations.

LimeRFE will enhance any LimeSDR based wireless project by providing:

Software-Defined Front End

A single LimeRFE covers three very different sets of bands: HAM, cellular, and wideband. The exact band used at any given time is software-selectable. By making the RF front end definable in software, LimeRFE is the next step in the evolution of software-defined radio.

LimeRFE top and bottom

Features & Specifications

Unless otherwise noted, all gains in the tables below are nominal, as measured using LimeRFE 1v31.

HAM Bands

BandFrequency (MHz)TX Gain (dB)TX P1dB (dBm)RX Gain (dB)RX NF (dB)RX IIP3 (dBm)
HAM 30 / HF*1-5383321/0-14
HAM 30 / HF*5-30383321615
HAM 50-70 / 6 m, 4 m50-54, 69.9-70.63732193.514
HAM 145 / 2 m144-1463134183.712.6
HAM 220 / 1.25 m220-2253334183.714.8
HAM 435 / 70 cm430-440333415410
HAM 920 / 33 cm902-9283530172.816
HAM 1280 / 23 cm1240-13253131162.820
HAM 2400 / 13 cm2300-24504128.5133.815.5
HAM 35003300-350033257.54.512.5
A Note About HF Bands

Depending upon the application and overall system configuration, additional filtering may be required for use with HF bands. In particular, HF is not one, but ten bands starting at 1.6 - 1.8 MHz and moving upward incrementally to 28.0 - 29.7 MHz. On-board filtering will attenuate signals greater than 30 MHz, but not Tx harmonics, or out-of-band Rx signals below this. You may need additional filtering, depending on the environment (if there are nearby HAMs operating on other HF bands, for example) and on whether or not you are using external power amplifiers with integrated filters, antenna tuning units, etc.

Cellular Bands

BandDuplexDownlink Freq. (MHz)Uplink Freq. (MHz)Modulated Output Power (dBm)TX Gain (dB)TX P1dB (dBm)RX Gain (dB)RX NF (dB)RX IIP3 (dBm)
1FDD2110 - 21701920 - 1980243728116.519
2 / PCS-1900FDD1930 - 19901850 - 1910244030.5125.519.5
3 / DCS-1800FDD1805 - 18801710 - 1785244029.513619
7FDD2620 - 26902500 - 25702437268621
38TDD2570 - 26202570 - 26202438268620

Wideband Channels

BandFrequency (MHz)Min TX Gain (dB)Max TX Gain (dB)Min TX P1dB (dBm)Max TX P1dB (dBm)Min RX Gain (dB)Max RX Gain (dB)Min RX NF (dB)Max RX NF (dB)Min RX IIP3 (dBm)Max RX IIP3 (dBm)
WB 10001 - 1000274522.528.51721.83.44.411.518
WB 40001000 - 4000123314247.818.42.75.51023

Additional Features

Block Diagram

LimeRFE is part of Qorvo RF Accelerator

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Produced by Lime Microsystems in Guildford, England.

Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.

LimeRFE

LimeRFE integrated power amplifier (PA), low noise amplifier (LNA) and filter solution for LimeSDR and LimeNET Micro software-defined radio applications.

$1,499 Free US Shipping / $18 Worldwide

About the Team

Lime Microsystems

 ·   ·   ·   · 

Working toward the democratization of wireless communication through an open source ideology.

Ebrahim Bushehri
 ebrahim24
Andrew Back
 9600
Zydrunas (Zack) Tamosevicius
 ztamosevicius
Karolis Kiela
 Karoliskiela
Andy Chang
Christy Chuang
Milan Savic

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