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ERISYS Signal Processing Hardware Suite

Overview

The ERISYS RF Recording, Analysis, and Generation hardware suite is a powerful purpose-built family of integrated signal analysis equipment designed to give Spectrum professionals the capabilities they need. The equipment has been developed based on years of input and feedback from Electronic Warfare (EW) and other professionals. All the devices have been optimized to provide exceptional capabilities, ease of use, speed, and rapid time to answer. The suite has been optimized to work efficiently with very large, often multi-terabyte size, IQ files. The system makes it possible for you to reduce the time to answer from hours to minutes, with capabilities and a precision not provided by any other system on the market today.

The ERISYS Signal Processing Hardware suite has four modular elements, the selection of which will depend on the customer’s application and needs. The four elements include:

SigPro-2000B – RF recording, signal analysis, test scenario creation, and RF playback system
SigPro-4000B – RF recording, signal analysis, test scenario creation, and RF playback system
SigPro-FEDS – FPGA Enhanced Development System
SigPro-Hypervault - High-speed, multi-channel, ultra-deep, SSD RAID

Typical System Configuration

The typical configuration for a SigPro System with optional SigPro-FEDS and SigPro-Hypervault is as follows:

A typical signal recording, analysis and playback system includes:

ERISYS SigPro-4000B or SigPro-2000B
Optional ERISYS SigPro-FEDS (to provide additional FPGA signal processing)
Optional ERISYS SigPro-HyperVault (to increase number of external devices and signal storage memory)
One or more spectrum analyzers (typically R&S FSW)
One or more signal generators (typically R&S SMW)

Spectrum Analyzers receive spectrum of interest and convert it to high quality digital form, with up to 1 GHZ IBW per channel. Signal Generators convert processed digital spectrum to RF for transmission. The ERISYS SigPro-4000B or SigPro-2000B, optional ERISYS FPGA Enhanced Development System (SigPro-FEDS) and/or SigPro-Hypervault process the streaming digital I&Q information in real time using a combination of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and general-purpose processors. Systems can be configured with 360 TB or more of signal storage capacity. All intra-element signal information is transmitted using high-speed (100 Gbps) links.

SigPro-2000B

The SigPro-2000B is an integrated enterprise-class, broadband, digital RF spectrum recording, signal analysis, test scenario creation, and RF playback system. It is a uniquely powerful and professional tool for solving today’s most challenging spectrum issues. It is designed to support a maximum of two external devices (R&S FSW Spectrum Analyzer, R&S SMW Signal Generator or equivalent). Capabilities include (when used with the ERISYS ZoomOut™ Software):

Record the RF spectrum up to 1 GHz IBW. Supports up to 120 TB of removeable SSD storage (over 6 hours at 1 GHz IBW).
Analyze spectrum instantly to nanosecond resolution and kHz RBW.
Find and Extract signals-of-interest including automated signal search tools.
Convert RF signals to Pulse Descriptor Word (PDW) format.
Create signal libraries in PDW and IQ formats
Import signal libraries in IQ and PDW format to support the creation of complex test scenarios.
Create complex test scenarios from recorded spectrum and signal libraries. Scenarios can have virtually unlimited complexity and duration.
Transmit test scenarios at RF up to 1 GHz IBW per channel.
Threat Generation Can be used as a powerful and flexible Threat Generator.
Create Digital Twin simulations and compare transmitted RF with test unit responses.
Control all components including external FSW and SMWs from a single flexible and user-friendly interface.
Compatible with MATLAB®

SigPro-2000B Simplified Block Diagram

The SigPro-2000B includes a high-performance IQ router/signal processor with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for real time signal processing. The unit has two fiber optic QSFP-28 ports - up to 100 Gb/s each. These ports are used for high data rate links to external devices (typically R&S FSW and/or SMW devices).

The SigPro-2000B typically uses an R&S FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer and SMW Vector Signal Generator to receive and transmit RF signals. The spectrum and signal information are converted to digital form by the Spectrum Analyzer and from digital to RF by the Signal Generator. The SigPro-2000B can record or playback up to 1.2 GHz IBW of RF Spectrum.

SigPro-4000B

Record multiple segments of RF spectrum, up to 1 GHz IBW with up to 120 TB of removeable SSD storage (over 6 hours at 1 GHz IBW). Signal storage can be increased with the addition of the optional SigPro-HyperVault (up to 240 TB per unit).
Analyze spectrum instantly to nanosecond resolution and kHz RBW.
Find and Extract signals-of-interest including automated signal search tools.
Convert RF signals to Pulse Descriptor Word (PDW) format.
Create signal libraries in PDW and IQ formats.
Import signal libraries in IQ and PDW format to support the creation of complex test scenarios.
Create complex test scenarios from recorded spectrum and signal libraries. Scenarios can have virtually unlimited complexity and duration.
Transmit test scenarios at RF up to 44 GHz (using R&S SMW).
Simultaneously record and playback with time synchronization (may require optional additional SigPro-4000B, SigPro-FEDS, and/or SigPro-HyperVault).
Threat Generation Can be used as a powerful and flexible Threat Generator.
Create Digital Twin simulations and compare transmitted RF with test unit responses.
Control all components including external FSW and SMWs from a single flexible and user-friendly interface.
Software compatible with MATLAB®.

Simplified SigPro-4000B Block Diagram

The SigPro-4000B includes a high-performance IQ router/signal processor with a powerful Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for real time signal processing. The unit has four fiber optic QSFP-DD ports - up to 200 Gb/s each. These ports are used for high data rate links to external devices (typically Spectrum Analyzers and Signal Generators) and optional SigPro-4000B system modules. These include the ERISYS FPGA Enhanced Development System (FEDS) with additional FPGA and graphics Processing Unit (GPU) resources), and HyperVault with additional RAID signal storage. The SigPro-4000B is the heart of a powerful modular RF spectrum digital signal processing system for modern EW applications.

To maximize flexibility and capability, the SigPro-4000B typically uses commercial high performance Spectrum Analyzers and RF Signal Generators (such as R&S FSW Spectrum Analyzers and SMW Signal Generators) to receive and transmit RF signals. RF signal information is converted to digital form by the Spectrum Analyzer and to RF by the Signal Generator with up to 1 GHz IBW of RF Spectrum per channel. The optional ERISYS FPGA Enhanced Development System (FEDS) provides additional FPGA and GPU resources for real time digital signal processing. The optional HyperVault can provide up to 240 TB of additional signal storage.

SigPro-FPGA Enhanced Development System (FEDS)

The FPGA Enhanced Development System (FEDS) is a powerful FPGA digital signal processing platform that is part of the ERISYS SigPro Enterprise-class, broadband, multi-channel, digital RF spectrum recording,signal analysis, test scenario creation, and RF playback system. Designed by EW Signal Analysis experts for EW experts. SigPro-4000B system is a uniquely powerful, professional tool for solving today’s most challenging spectrum issues.

The SigPro-FEDS enhances the capabilities of the SigPro-4000B system by providing:

Additional Fiber Optic Channels – The SigPro-FEDS can increase the number of 100 Gb/s fiber optic channels by up to seven. These can be used to connect to additional external devices, typically additional FSW spectrum analyzers and/or SMW vector signal generators.
FPGA for Customer Use - The SigPro-FEDS contains a powerful FPGA, almost 100% of which customers can use to develop their own near real-time digital signal processing techniques. This FPGA has direct real-time access to the streaming real-time spectrum data information from the attached R&S FSW as well as direct access to all recorded spectrum files and signal libraries.
Simultaneous Recording and Playback – The addition of a SigPro-FEDS to a SigPro-4000B system makes it possible for the system to simultaneously playback and record RF spectrum up to 1.2 GHz IBW (Using external R&S FSWs and SMWs). This capability can be used, for example, to simultaneously generate test spectrum for a Unit Under Test (UUT) and record the UUT’s response with precise time synchronization.
Simultaneous multi-channel playback – The SigPro-FEDS makes it possible for the system to simultaneously record up to 1.2 GHz IBW of RF spectrum, to modify it, if desired in near real-time using the SigPro-4000B or SigPro-FEDS FPGA, and simultaneously re-create the spectrum on up to 13 independent channels, each up to 1.2 GHz IBW channels. (Using an external R&S FSW spectrum analyzer and multiple SMW vector signal generators)
Increased Low-Latency Digital Signal Processing – The addition of a SigPro-FEDS effectively doubles the FPGA resources of the SigPro-4000B system. This makes it possible for the system to perform even more sophisticated near real-time signal processing while keeping latency as low as possible.

The SigPro-FEDS has a high-performance IQ router/signal processor that can efficiently, and with minimum latency, route digitized spectrum and signal information between the system components. The unit has a powerful Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for real time signal processing. The module has four fiber optic QSFP-DD ports which can support up to 200 Gb/s per device. These can be split into up to eight independent 100 Gb/s channels which are typically used to connect to external devices (typically R&S FSW spectrum analyzers and/or SMW vector signal generators. Part of the FPGA can be made available to customers for developing their own real-time signal processing algorithms and techniques.

The SigPro-FEDS connects to the SigPro-4000B typically using one of the 100 Gb/s or 200 Gb/s fiber optic links. The FPGA in the SigPro-FEDS has direct access streaming real-time digital signal data and stored signal files on the SigPro-4000B and SigPro-HyperVault (if equipped).

SigPro-Hypervault

The SigPro-HyperVault is a high-speed, multi-channel, ultra-deep, SSD RAID used for RF spectrum recording as an optional part of the ERISYS SigPro-4000B Enterprise-class broadband multi-Channel digital RF recorder, analysis, signal creation, and playback system.

The SigPro-HyperVault increased the high-speed recording and playback signal storage capability, makes it possible to simultaneously record and playback, and provides either RAID 0 (for maximum storage capacity) or RAID 1 (redundant recording for critical applications). Multiple HyperVaults can be added to the SigPro-4000B system.

Some of the capabilities SigPro-HyperVault adds to the SigPro-4000B system include:

Additional Signal and Spectrum Storage – The HyperVault contains eight removeable SSD modules which each can have up to 30 TB of signal storage capacity for a total of up to 240 TB of capacity.
RAID Options – The HyperVault can be configured to store data in either RAID 0 or RAID 1 format. RAID 0 can have up to 240 TB of storage capacity but does not provide redundancy to prevent loss of data in the remote chance of an SSD drive failure. RAID 1 provides 100% data storage redundancy and can be used for applications where it is critical that loss of data not occur.
Store and Playback Multiple Broadband Channels – The HyperVault can read and write up to 20 GBytes per second. This allows the SigPro-System to simultaneously record or playback multiple channels of up to 1.2 GHz IBW spectrum information. This is sufficient to record or playback up to four 1.2 GHz IBW channels simultaneously.
Removable Memory – The SSD signal storage modules are removable and easily transportable to provide secure transport and storage of classified information. Once the SSD drives are removed the system does not contain any sensitive information.

Simplified SigPro-Hypervault Block Diagram

The SigPro-HyperVault attaches to a SigPro-4000B system using one or two 200 Gb/s fiber optic links depending on the maximum data rate needed.

The HyperVault operates as an extended very deep, very fast SSD memory for the SigPro-4000B system. For example, it can simultaneously store or playback up to four 1 GHz IBW segments of RF spectrum. The combination of a SigPro-4000B, SigPro-FEDS, and SigPro-HyperVault can provide a previously unachievable degree of RF spectrum and signal processing that can include numerous simultaneous receiver channels and numerous output channels, all controlled from a single point using R&S Control.

Specification Summary

For more information, please contact ERISYS RF Solutions for an on-site demonstration and consultation.

We have decades of experience with RF Spectrum Analysis and generation.