Crowdfunding Page History
This page is an archive of the original crowdfunding campaign for this project. It may not be up-to-date with the latest updates and product availability. Return to the current project page.
Details
Recent Updates
- Mar 02, 2021 Production Testing Underway
- Feb 11, 2021 Assembly Has Begun
- Jan 04, 2021 PCBs Manufactured
- Nov 16, 2020 Manufacturing Has Begun at a New Factory; On Track for January Delivery
As Featured In
"This is a power amplifier that augments the existing LimeSDR. It covers all the HAM, mobile, and wide-band frequencies."
"Users of the LimeSDR platform may be interested in a new piece of hardware launched by Lime Microsystems this month in the form of the LimeRFE."
"Compatible con redes HAM, celulares y de banda ancha, este front end RF para SRD otorga flexibilidad de diseño."
"As anyone will know, designing broadband RF hardware is often quite difficult or expensive (Amateur radio amplifiers and LNAs are usually designed for a single band), so packing all this into a single unit is a considerable feat."
A Complete Solution for Custom HAM, Cellular, and Wideband Networks
The Lime RF Front End (LimeRFE) is an open hardware power amplifier (PA) module with appropriate filtering and 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:
- A stronger, clearer signal when transmitting
- Less noise when receiving
- Improved range for both
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 render front (left) and back (right)
Features & Specifications
HAM Bands
| No. | Name | Frequency (MHz) | Output P1dB (dBm)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1** | HF** | 1.6 – 30** | 33 |
| 2 | 6 m, 4 m | 50 – 54, 69.9 – 70.6 | 30 |
| 3 | 2 m | 144 – 146 | 33 |
| 4 | 1.25 m | 220 – 225 | 32 |
| 5 | 70 cm | 430 – 440 | 32 |
| 6 | 33 cm | 902 – 928 | 27 |
| 7 | 23 cm | 1240 – 1325 | 27 |
| 8 | 13 cm | 2300 – 2450 | 31 |
| 9 | - | 3300 – 3500 | 24 |
* Preliminary estimates of 1-dB compression point
** See note below about HF bands
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
| No. | Name | Duplex | Downlink Freq. (MHz) | Uplink Freq. (MHz) | Modulated Output Power (dBm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Band 3/DCS-1800 | FDD | 1805 – 1880 | 1710 – 1785 | 24 |
| 2 | Band 2/PCS-1900 | FDD | 1930 – 1990 | 1850 – 1910 | 24 |
| 3 | Band 1 | FDD | 2110 – 2170 | 1920 – 1980 | 24 |
| 4 | Band 7 | FDD | 2620 – 2690 | 2500 – 2570 | 24 |
| 5 | Band 38 | TDD | 2570 – 2620 | 2570 – 2620 | 24 |
Wideband Channels
| No. | Frequency (MHz) | Output P1dB (dBm)* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 – 1000 | 27.5 |
| 2 | 1000 – 4000 | 25.5 |
* Preliminary estimates of 1-dB compression point
Additional Features
- Filtering
- Each band has appropriate filtering both for Rx & Tx
- Selectable AM/FM notch filter
- Fully Open Source Software
- Firmware
- API support
- GUI
- LimeSuite integration
- Control & Configuration
- Programmable via Arduino IDE
- Arduino Nano-compatible microcontroller (ATmega328)
- FT232RL USB-to-serial converter
- Host serial connection via USB mini Type B connector
- Power & SWR Meter
- 1 – 4000 MHz power & SWR meter (external directional coupler required)
- Cellular bands Tx power meter (internal coupler)
- 10-pin Interface to SDR
- Power and ground
- I2C (SDA and SCL)
- 2x GPIO connected to on-board microcontroller
- 4x bi-directional level shifted I/O
- 1.2 – 5.5 V
- Each I/O has a high voltage and power Darlington drive stage for inductive loads (e.g., coaxial relays)
- Individually switchable direction (input/output)
- Power Supply
- Single 12 V supply
- Optionally supply microcontroller and Rx channels via USB
Block Diagram
* *Output 1 dB compression values are preliminary assessments only. Final values may differ. Values are given for the driver outputs
- final output values will be lower.*
Fulfillment & Logistics
All LimeRFE boards will be delivered to Crowd Supply’s warehouse for final distribution to backers worldwide. For more information, please see this page about ordering, paying, and shipping.
Risks & Challenges
We’ve produced a number of prototype revisions to verify the performance over the RF bands detailed above. As with previous Lime Microsystems campaigns, supply chain is our biggest risk – parts shortages could delay production. LimeRFE will, however, benefit from the considerable work we’ve already put into creating various LimeSDR supply chains.
Credits
Ebrahim Bushehri
Andrew Back
Zack Tamosevicius
Karolis Kiela
Andy Chang
Christy Chuang
