SDR comparison

KiwiSDR

open source HWopen source SW
sync multi-units
TX output

ADC samples antenna input
directly. Digital downconversion(DDC) in FPGA
yesyesnonofreq range
inputsfeatures0 – 30 MHz (6)1x SMA, 1x header block
TVS protection, all inputs

filtering

30 MHz LPF

attenuator
preampdeviceADC

DSP

Architecture

Front end

SDR type

UI Software (3)no+20 dB, fixed
LTC6401-20# bitsSFDR (1)deviceMSPS
clock oscillator
ext ref inext ref out

1490 dB
LTC2248
66.7, fixed
XO, 50 ppm, trimmed via GPS
66.7 MHz, JST (2)no1267 dB
MSI2500
variable up to 10.66
TCXO, 0.5 ppm, software trimmed
24 MHz, MCX
24 MHz, MCX

848 dB
MAX5864
variable 8 – 20XO, 30 ppm
SMASMAtypeFPGA + software
Xilinx Artix-7 A35, user
programmablesoftwaresoftwarenonoyes, integrated
software defined
ADC clock cal, time sync
noSMA, 3.3V bias tee
12SE4150L
16.368 MHz, TCXO, 0.5 ppm
16.368 MHz, JST (2)nonotypeuse
GPSDO
antenna input# channels
front end partclock oscillator
ext clock inpower
H W D (mm)5V 1.5A, 5.5/2.1mm DC jack35 x 90 x 140

5V 0.17A, via USB
32 x 86 x 98

5V, via USB?, PCB is 120 x 75

wide-band IF output

1x LPF, 1x HPF
noyes
RFFC5072

No, currently panadapter and audio
Yes, 8 bandwidths (200k – 8M) andonly. Wide-band output mode
Yes. Panadapter and audio done inzero IF. Panadapter and audio
suitable for use with traditional,
host software
done in host software
external software underconsideration

un-demodulated IQ
samples# panadapters (7)# receiversPHY
protocolyes, at audio bandwidth

yes

yes

4, full 30 MHz, 14 level zoom
4, 12 kHz audio bandwidth
1x 10/100 Ethernet
web sockets, HTML5

host software dependent
host software dependent
1x USB 2.0 type B
widely supported

host software dependent
host software dependent
1x micro USB 2.0
widely supported

Windows

all browsers except IELinuxMacall browsers
all browsers
All browsers, but marginally useful.
Mobile features are in development
in development

iOS, Android
other APIs
use with other audio
processing software?
e.g. Fldigi, Multipsk (4)Extensions / plug-ins?

Prices (US$)

ADC in the baseband IC samples ADC in the baseband IC samples
analog IF down-mixed by tuner IC. analog IF down-mixed by tuner IC.
Bypass modes exist
Bypass modes exist
noyes
host software dependent
host software dependentyesyes (5)noyes, half-duplex
100 kHz – 6 GHz
1x SMAswitchable bias tee

GPSOutput

HackRF One

1 kHz – 2 GHz
2x SMA, 1x header block (hi-Z)
2nd SMA switchable bias tee
2x LPF, 1x HPF, 8x BPF, MW/FM
notch
yes
variable gain, 40 dB range
MSI001FPGASpecs

SDRPlay RSP2

SDRUno, HDSDR, SDR-Console,SDR#CubicSDR
CubicSDRHDSDR, SDR-Console, SDR#GQRX (GNU Radio)
GQRX (GNU Radio)

apps exist

apps exist

ExtIO support

GNU Radio support

yes

yes

yes

Yes. Currently built-in to the webinterface: WSPR, FAX, time station
decoder, Loran-C, IQ display, Smeter graph, signal integrator,
antenna switch controller

SDR# has a set of plug-ins.

SDR# has a set of plug-ins.

$299, $199 board only

$169 RSP2, $129 RSP1

$299

KiwiSDR

SDRPlay RSP2HackRF OnePage 1

SDR comparison
Notes
(1)
(2)
(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)

Sources

Version 1.1, June 2017, comments/corrections to support@kiwisdr.com
SFDR depends on many factors. Consult the ADC data sheets for the full story.
Fewer bits means less dynamic range, but not necessarily less sensitivity.
There are pads for an (uninstalled) JST connector on the PCB.
New software packages and interfaces are always being added.
Usually via “virtual audio cable” (VAC) software.
See: Synchronizing multiple HackRFs [RTL-SDR.com]
32 MHz with degraded performance.
On the KiwiSDR “panadapter” means the waterfall display.

KiwiSDR

http://www.kiwisdr.com
https://github.com/jks-prv/Beagle_SDR_GPS

SDRPlay

http://www.sdrplay.com/docs/RSP2_Datasheet.pdf
http://www.sdrplay.com/downloads/

HackRF One

Other

https://greatscottgadgets.com/hackrf/
https://github.com/mossmann/hackrf/wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software-defined_radios
http://www.rtl-sdr.com/review-airspy-vs-sdrplay-rsp-vs-hackrf/

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