TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

Talon RTR 2746
200 MS/sec RF/IFrugged rackmount recorder

Built for lab
and field environments▪ Intended for military, airborne, and UAV
applications requiring a rugged system▪ Up to 243 TB of front-panel removablesolid state storage▪ Real-time aggregate recording rates ofup to 3.2 GB/sec▪ SystemFlow GUI with Signal Viewer
analysis tool

The Talon ® RTR 2746 is a turnkey, multiband recording and playback
system, which is built for lab and field environments. Designed towithstand high vibration and operating temperatures, the RTR 2746 isintended for military, airborne, and UAV applications requiring a ruggedsystem. With scalable A/Ds, D/As, and SSD (Solid-State Drive) storage,
the RTR 2746 can be configured to stream data to and from disk at rates
as high as 3.2 GB/sec.
The RTR 2746 uses Mercury’s high-powered Virtex-6-based Cobalt® boards, which provide
flexibility in channel count with optional digital downconversion capabilities. Optional 16bit, 1.25 GHz D/A converters with digital upconversion allow real-time reproduction ofrecorded signals.
A/D sampling rates, DDC decimations and bandwidths, D/A sampling rates, and DUC
interpolations are among the GUI-selectable system parameters, providing a fully
programmable system capable of recording and reproducing a wide range of signals.
Optional GPS time and position stamping allows the user to record this critical signal
information.

mrcy.com

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

FEATURES▪ Operates under conditions of shock and vibration▪ Up to 243 terabytes of storage to NTFS RAID disk array▪ 4U 19-inch rugged rackmount PC server chassis▪ RAID levels of 0, 5, and 6▪ Windows® workstation with Intel® processor▪ SystemFlow® GUI with signal viewer analysis tool

▪ 200 MHz max. 16-bit A/D sampling for recording - up to eightchannels▪ C-callable API for integration of recorder into application▪ 80 MHz recording/playback signal bandwidths▪ Capable of record/playback of IF frequencies to 700 MHz▪ File headers include time stamping and recording
parameters▪ Real-time aggregate recording rates of up to 3.2 GB/sec▪ DDC decimation and DUC interpolation range from 2 to65,536▪ Removable SSD drives▪ Optional GPS time and position stampingmrcy.com

2

TECHNICAL DATA SHEETTalon RTR 2746

RUGGED AND FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE

SYSTEMFLOW SIMULATOR

Because SSDs operate reliably under conditions of shock andvibration, the RTR 2746 performs well in ground, shipborne, andairborne environments. The hot-swappable SSDs provide
storage capacity of up to 243 TB. The drives can be easily
removed or exchanged during or after a mission to retrieve
recorded data.

To learn more about SystemFlow software, contact Mercury attechsales@mrcy.com. The SystemFlow Simulator allows you tolearn how to use a Talon recorder's SystemFlow software interface
before you acquire a recorder or while you are waiting for delivery
of a recorder.

The RTR 2746 is configured in a 4U 19-inch rack-mountablechassis, with hot-swap data drives, front panel USB ports, andI/O connectors on the rear panel. All recorder chassis areconnected via Ethernet and can be controlled from a single GUI
either locally or from a remote PC.

The Simulator can simulate the operating environment of all thedifferent Talon recorder models. The Simulator also
demonstrates the SystemFlow Signal Viewer by playing
recorded signals to simulate the appearance of live signals
being digitized and recorded by a Talon analog signal recorder.

FeaturesMultiple RAID levels, including 0, 5, 6, provide a choice for therequired level of redundancy. Systems are scalable toaccommodate multiple chassis to increase channel counts andaggregate data rates.

▪ Provides real-time recording system simulation

SYSTEMFLOW SOFTWARE▪ Demonstrates SystemFlow signal and file viewer tool

All Talon recorders include the Mercury SystemFlow® recording▪ Capable of simulating all Talon analog and digital recording
systemssoftware. SystemFlow software enables users to configure andcontrol a Talon recorder:▪ The SystemFlow GUI provides a point-and-click user interface. Itincludes Configure, Record, Playback, and Status screens, eachwith intuitive controls and indicators. The user can easily move
between screens to configure parameters, control and monitor arecording, and play back a recorded stream.

▪ Allows engineers to write and test their application (built
using the SystemFlow API) before receiving the recorder
hardware▪ Full Talon SystemFlow GUI▪ Simulator can be used to develop Talon system profiles foruse in the final system▪ SystemFlow API provides a set of C-callable libraries thatallow engineers to develop their own user interface toconfigure and control their Talon recorder. Additional highlevel libraries, like Python, are available upon request.
The SystemFlow GUI and API can be run from a remote connection
over Gigabit Ethernet. Recorders can be set up to run
autonomously by implementing scripts using the API interface.
Talon systems record all data to the native NTFS file system,
allowing for quick and easy access to the data from anycomputer. A simple header that holds the recording parametersis added to the beginning of each file. An optional GPS receiver
allows the user to precisely timestamp files and optionally track
the recorder’s position throughout a mission.
To learn more about SystemFlow software, contact Mercury attechsales@mrcy.com.

mrcy.com

3

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

SYSTEMFLOW GUI
The RTR 2746 GUI provides the user with a control interface for therecording system. It includes Configuration, Record, Playback andStatus screens, each with intuitive controls and indicators. The usercan easily move between screens to set configuration parameters,

mrcy.comcontrol and monitor a recording, play back a recorded signal andmonitor board temperature and voltage levels. The signal viewer,
integrated into the recording GUI, allows the user to monitor realtime signals or signals recorded on disk.

4

TECHNICAL DATA SHEETTalon RTR 2746

SYSTEMFLOW HARDWARE CONFIGURATION INTERFACEThe RTR 2746 configuration screens provide a simple andintuitive means for setting up the system parameters. The ADC
configuration screen, shown below, allows user entries for input

mrcy.comsource, center frequency, decimation, and gate and trigger
information. All parameters contain limit-checking andintegrated help.

5TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

SIGNAL VIEWER
The SystemFlow Signal Viewer includes a spectrogram, virtual
oscilloscope, and spectrum analyzer for signal monitoring in both thetime and frequency domains. It is extremely useful for previewing live
inputs prior to recording, and for monitoring signals as they are being
recorded to help ensure successful recording sessions. The viewer
can also be used to inspect and analyze the recorded files after therecording is complete.

mrcy.com

Advanced signal analysis capabilities include automatic
calculators for signal amplitude and frequency, second andthird harmonic components, THD (total harmonic distortion),and SINAD (signal to noise and distortion). With time andfrequency zoom, panning modes, and dual, annotated cursors
to mark and measure points of interest, the SystemFlow Signal
Viewer can often eliminate the need for a separate
oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer in the field.

6TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

SYSTEMFLOW API
SystemFlow includes a complete API (Application ProgrammingInterface) supporting control and status queries of all operationsof the Talon recorder from a custom application.
High-level C-language function calls and the supporting device
drivers allow users to incorporate the RTR 2746 as a highperformance server front end to a larger system. This ismrcy.com

supported using a socket interface through the Ethernet port,
either to a local host or through an internet link for remote,standalone acquisition. Recorded NTFS files can be easily
retrieved through the same connection. In addition to C,
support is also provided for high level languages such asPython and C#. Below is an example of controlling recording via
the SystemFlow API.

7

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746
A/D PERFORMANCE

mrcy.com

Spurious Free Dynamic Range

Spurious Pick-up

fin = 70 MHz, fs = 200 MHz, Internal Clockfs = 200 MHz, Internal Clock

Two-Tone SFDR

Two-Tone SFDR

f1 = 30 MHz, f2 = 70 MHz, fs = 200 MHz

f1 = 69 MHz, f2 = 71 MHz, fs = 200 MHz

8

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

Adjacent Channel CrosstalkInput Frequency Response

fin Ch2 = 70 MHz, fs = 200 MHz, Ch1 shown

fs = 200 MHz, Internal Clock

D/A PERFORMANCE
Spurious Free Dynamic Range

fout = 70 MHz, fs = 200 MHz, Internal Clockmrcy.com

Spurious Free Dynamic Range

fout = 120 MHz, fs = 400 MHz, External Clock

9

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

SPECIFICATIONS
PC Workstation
Operating System: Windows®
Processor: Intel Core i7 processor or better
SDRAM: (standard) 8 GB
▪ Option -309: 16 GB▪ Option -310: 32 GB

Digital Upconverter and D/As
Type: Texas Instruments DAC5688 and Mercury-installedinterpolation IP core
Interpolation: 2 to 65,536
Input Data Rate: 250 MHx max.
Output IF: DC to 400 MHz
Output Signal: Analog, real or quadrature▪ Option -311: 64 GB

Output Sampling Rate: 800 MHz max. with 2, 4, or 8interpolation

RAID

Resolution: 16 bits

▪ Storage: 7.6, 15.3, 30.7, 61, 122.8, or 243.3 TB▪ Drive Type: SATA III SSDs
▪ Supported RAID Levels: (standard) 0▪ Option -285: RAID 5▪ Option -286: RAID 6

Analog Signal Inputs
Input Type: Transformer-coupled, rear panel female SSMC
connectorsTransformer Type: Coil Craft WBC4-6TLB
Full Scale Input: +8 dBm into 50 ohms
3 dB Passband: 300 kHz to 700 MHz

A/D Converters
Type: Texas Instruments ADS5485
Sampling Rate (ƒs):10 MHz to 200 MHz
Resolution: 16 bits
A/D Record Bandwidth: ƒs/2 = Nyquist bandwidth
Anti-Aliasing Filters: External, user-supplied

Digital Downconverter

Clock Sources
Selectable from onboard programmable VCXO, external or
LVDS clocks

External Clocks
Type: Female SSMC connector, sine wave, 0 to +10 dBm, ACcoupled, 50 ohms, 10 to 200 MHz

Multi-Recorder Sync/Gate Bus26-pin connector, dual clock/ sync/gate input/output LVDS
buses; one sync/gate input TTL signal

Physical and Environmental
4U Long Chassis: 19" W x 21" D x 7" H
Weight: 50 lb, approx.
Operating Temp: 0° to +50° C
Storage Temp: –40° to +85° C
Relative Humidity: 5 to 95%, non-condensing
Operating Shock: 15 g max. (11 msec, half sine wave)
Operating Vibration: 10 to 20 Hz: 0.02 inch peak, 20 to 500
Hz: 1.4 g peak acceleration
Power Requirements: 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz, 500 W max.

Type: Virtex-6 FPGA Mercury DDC IP Core
Decimation (D): 2 to 65,536
IF Center Frequency Tuning: DC to ƒs, 32 bits
DDC Usable Bandwidth: 0.8*ƒs/D

Analog Signal Outputs
Output Type: Transformer-coupled, front panel female SSMC
connectors
Full Scale Output: +4 dBm into 50 ohms
3 dB Passband: 300 kHz to 700 MHz

mrcy.com

10

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Talon RTR 2746

ORDERING INFORMATION

Storage Options

Channel Configurations

Option -415

7.6 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -420

15.3 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -430

30.7 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -460

61.4 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -485

122.8 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -490

243.3 TB SSD storage capacity

Option -201

1-Channel record

Option -202

2-Channel record

Option -204

4-Channel record

Option -208

8-Channel record

Option -221

1-Channel playback

Option -222

2-Channel playback

Option -224

4-Channel playback

Option -228

8-Channel playback

General Options (append to all options)
Option -261

GPS time and position stamping

Option -264

IRIG-B time stamping

RAID Configurations

Option -268

40 GBE interface

Standard

RAID 0 configuration

Option -285

RAID 5 configuration

Contact Mercury for compatible option combinations. Storage and general
options may change, so contact Mercury for the latest information.

Option -286

RAID 6 configuration

LIFETIME SUPPORT FOR TALON PRODUCTS

Memory Options
Standard

8 GB system memory

Option -309

16 GB system memory

Option -310

32 GB system memory

Option -311

64 GB system memory

Corporate Headquarters
50 Minuteman Road
Andover, MA 01810 USA+1 978.967.1401 tel+1 866.627.6951 tel+1 978.256.3599 fax

Mercury offers worldwide customers shorter development time,reliable, rugged solutions for a variety of environments, reducedcosts, and mature software development tools. We offer freelifetime support from our engineering staff, which customers
can depend on through phone and email, as well as software
updates. Take advantage of our 40 years of experience indelivering high-performance radar, communications, SIGINT,
EW, and data acquisition MIL-Aero solutions worldwide.

International Headquarters
Mercury International

Learn more

Avenue Eugène-Lance, 38
PO Box 584
CH-1212 Grand-Lancy 1
Geneva, Switzerland

For technical details, contact:mrcy.com/go/CF2746

Visit: mrcy.com/go/MP2746+41 22 884 5100 tel

The Mercury Systems logo and the following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mercury Systems, Inc.: Mercury Systems, Innovation ThatMatters, SystemFlow, and Talon. Other marks used herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mercury believes
this information is accurate as of its publication date and is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice.
© 2022 Mercury Systems, Inc. 1-0-112222-DS-T2746

mrcy.com11