Product Introduction
The NI USRP-2930 is a GPS-disciplined software defined radio (SDR) transceiver designed for synchronized wireless communications research, RF prototyping, spectrum monitoring, distributed radio systems, navigation research, radar experimentation, and communication engineering education.
Featuring continuous RF coverage from 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz, up to 20 MHz of real-time instantaneous bandwidth with 16-bit samples, up to 40 MHz with 8-bit samples, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, and an integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator (GPSDO), the USRP-2930 provides a flexible platform for applications requiring improved frequency accuracy and synchronization between SDR devices.
Product Overview
The NI USRP-2930 belongs to the NI Universal Software Radio Peripheral family and combines an N210-class SDR architecture, WBX RF front end, and integrated GPS-disciplined timing capability.
Its 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz frequency range covers numerous RF applications including VHF and UHF communications, broadcast research, land-mobile radio, cellular communication experiments, GNSS-related research, ISM-band applications, spectrum monitoring, and experimental radar systems.
One of the most important differences between the USRP-2930 and standard USRP-2920 is the integrated GPS-disciplined clock. This timing architecture improves frequency accuracy and enables multiple geographically separated SDR systems to operate from globally referenced timing information.
Key Features
50 MHz to 2.2 GHz RF Frequency Range
The USRP-2930 provides continuous RF tuning across a broad frequency range for both transmit and receive applications.
- 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz transmit frequency range
- 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz receive frequency range
- Frequency step below 1 kHz
- Software-programmable center frequency
- Multi-band RF experimentation
Advantage: A single SDR platform can support experiments across VHF, UHF, cellular, navigation, ISM, and other RF bands within its operating range.
Integrated GPS-Disciplined Oscillator
A major feature of the USRP-2930 is its integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator, which provides improved timing and frequency-reference capability compared with standard non-GPSDO USRP models.
- Integrated GPSDO
- GPS-disciplined frequency reference
- Improved oscillator accuracy
- Global timing reference
- Distributed SDR synchronization
Advantage: GPS disciplining is particularly useful for distributed wireless experiments and systems requiring radios to operate from a common global time and frequency reference.
High Frequency Accuracy
The USRP-2930 incorporates a precision oscillator architecture that provides substantially improved frequency accuracy compared with standard TCXO-based USRP platforms.
- Approximately ±25 ppb frequency accuracy without GPS disciplining
- Precision OCXO-based reference
- GPS-assisted clock correction
- Reduced carrier frequency offset
- Improved multi-radio synchronization
Advantage: Improved frequency accuracy reduces the amount of software frequency-offset correction required in communication and distributed RF experiments.
20 MHz Real-Time Bandwidth with 16-Bit Samples
The USRP-2930 supports up to 20 MHz of instantaneous real-time bandwidth when streaming 16-bit I/Q samples.
- Up to 20 MHz instantaneous bandwidth
- 16-bit sample operation
- Wideband RF acquisition
- Wideband waveform generation
- Communication signal analysis
Advantage: Provides sufficient bandwidth for many communications, spectrum monitoring, radar, and wireless research applications.
Up to 40 MHz Bandwidth with 8-Bit Samples
When configured for 8-bit sample width, the USRP-2930 can support up to 40 MHz of instantaneous real-time bandwidth under suitable host and network conditions.
- Up to 40 MHz instantaneous bandwidth
- 8-bit sample operation
- Higher streaming throughput
- Wideband RF experiments
- Broadband signal acquisition
Advantage: Engineers can trade sample width for additional streaming bandwidth when wider real-time RF capture is required.
High-Speed I/Q Sampling
The USRP-2930 supports high-rate complex I/Q streaming between the SDR hardware and host computer.
- Up to 25 MS/s with 16-bit samples
- Up to 50 MS/s with 8-bit samples
- Complex I/Q acquisition
- Complex waveform generation
- Host-based digital signal processing
Advantage: High I/Q sample rates support digital modulation, spectrum analysis, radar signal processing, and custom wireless waveform development.
RF Transmit Capability
The USRP-2930 includes a programmable RF transmitter covering the full supported RF frequency range.
- 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz transmission
- 0 dB to 31 dB transmit gain range
- 1 dB transmit gain steps
- Software-controlled RF generation
- Custom waveform transmission
Advantage: Engineers can convert software-generated I/Q waveforms into real RF signals for over-the-air experimentation.
RF Output Power
The maximum RF output power varies according to operating frequency.
- Approximately 17 dBm to 20 dBm from 50 MHz to 1.2 GHz
- Approximately 15 dBm to 18 dBm from 1.2 GHz to 2.2 GHz
- Software-adjustable transmit gain
- RF waveform generation
Advantage: Programmable output levels provide flexibility for laboratory wireless links, RF experiments, and controlled test configurations.
Programmable RF Receiver
The USRP-2930 provides a software-controlled receiver for acquiring RF signals from 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz.
- 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz receive range
- 0 dB to 31.5 dB receive gain range
- 0.5 dB gain steps
- 0 dBm maximum RF input power
- 5 dB to 7 dB specified noise figure
Advantage: Adjustable receiver gain allows the radio to be optimized for different signal levels and RF environments.
14-Bit ADC Architecture
The receiver subsystem incorporates high-speed analog-to-digital conversion for software-defined signal acquisition.
- 2 ADC channels
- 100 MS/s converter rate
- 14-bit ADC resolution
- 88 dB ADC spurious-free dynamic range
- High-speed digital RF acquisition
Advantage: Provides a high-performance conversion stage for software-defined receiver and spectrum-monitoring applications.
16-Bit DAC Architecture
The transmitter subsystem incorporates high-speed digital-to-analog conversion for programmable waveform generation.
- 2 DAC channels
- 400 MS/s converter rate
- 16-bit DAC resolution
- 80 dB DAC spurious-free dynamic range
- Complex waveform generation
Advantage: Supports generation of custom digitally modulated and experimental RF waveforms.
Gigabit Ethernet Host Interface
The USRP-2930 connects to a compatible host computer through Gigabit Ethernet. NI-USRP documentation identifies Gigabit Ethernet as the host connection for USRP-2930 and USRP-2932 devices.
- Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- Network-based I/Q streaming
- PC-based SDR processing
- Flexible laboratory installation
- Remote hardware placement
Advantage: Ethernet connectivity allows the RF hardware to be positioned away from the host computer while maintaining high-speed I/Q data communication.
Software Defined Radio Architecture
The USRP-2930 allows many traditional radio functions to be implemented and modified in software.
- Programmable modulation
- Programmable demodulation
- Digital filtering
- Synchronization algorithms
- Channel coding
- Custom communication protocols
Advantage: Researchers can modify wireless algorithms without redesigning the entire RF hardware system.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | GPS-Disciplined Software Defined Radio Transceiver |
| Model | NI USRP-2930 |
| Equivalent Architecture | N210 + WBX + GPSDO |
| RF Channels | 1 TX / 1 RX |
| Transmit Frequency Range | 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz |
| Receive Frequency Range | 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz |
| Frequency Step | <1 kHz |
| Maximum Real-Time Bandwidth | 20 MHz with 16-bit Samples / 40 MHz with 8-bit Samples |
| Maximum I/Q Sample Rate | 25 MS/s with 16-bit Samples / 50 MS/s with 8-bit Samples |
| Transmit Gain Range | 0 dB to 31 dB |
| Transmit Gain Step | 1 dB |
| Maximum RF Output Power | 17–20 dBm at 50 MHz–1.2 GHz / 15–18 dBm at 1.2–2.2 GHz |
| Receive Gain Range | 0 dB to 31.5 dB |
| Receive Gain Step | 0.5 dB |
| Maximum RF Input Power | 0 dBm |
| Receiver Noise Figure | 5 dB to 7 dB |
| ADC | 2 Channels, 100 MS/s, 14-bit |
| ADC SFDR | 88 dB |
| DAC | 2 Channels, 400 MS/s, 16-bit |
| DAC SFDR | 80 dB |
| Timing Architecture | Integrated GPS-Disciplined Oscillator (GPSDO) |
| Frequency Accuracy Without GPS Antenna | Approximately ±25 ppb |
| Host Interface | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Primary Applications | Synchronized SDR, Wireless Research, Spectrum Monitoring, RF Prototyping and Distributed Radio Systems |
Software Ecosystem
The NI USRP-2930 integrates with the NI-USRP software environment for RF configuration, I/Q streaming, waveform generation, signal acquisition, and software-defined communications development.
- NI-USRP: Provides APIs for configuring the RF transmitter, receiver, center frequency, gain, sample rate, and I/Q streaming.
- LabVIEW: Enables graphical development of wireless communications, modulation, demodulation, spectrum analysis, and RF research applications.
- NI MAX: Can be used in compatible configurations for hardware discovery and system setup.
- Custom SDR Applications: Host software can implement filters, FFT processing, synchronization, channel coding, modulation, demodulation, and other digital signal-processing algorithms.
Industries
- Wireless Communications
- Telecommunications Research
- Aerospace and Defense Research
- RF Engineering
- Navigation Research
- Radar Development
- Universities and Education
- Scientific Research
Applications
Synchronized SDR Research
The integrated GPSDO makes the USRP-2930 particularly suitable for experiments requiring improved frequency and timing synchronization.
- Multi-radio synchronization
- Distributed SDR systems
- Coordinated RF experiments
- Frequency-synchronized communications
- Time-referenced signal acquisition
Distributed RF Measurement
Multiple GPS-disciplined radios can be deployed at different locations while maintaining a common global timing reference.
- Distributed spectrum monitoring
- Remote RF sensing
- Coordinated receiver systems
- Geographically separated SDR experiments
- Time-correlated RF acquisition
Wireless Communications Research
The 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz frequency range supports research across numerous wireless communication bands.
- Digital modulation research
- Receiver algorithm development
- Wireless channel characterization
- Protocol experimentation
- Over-the-air communication testing
Cellular Communications Research
The USRP-2930 can be used for experimental cellular communication systems operating within its supported RF range.
- Cellular waveform research
- Physical-layer algorithm development
- Receiver testing
- Channel measurements
- Baseband processing experiments
Spectrum Monitoring
The USRP-2930 can acquire complex I/Q data for software-based monitoring and analysis of RF spectrum.
- Spectrum observation
- Interference analysis
- Signal detection
- RF environment monitoring
- Wideband signal recording
Radar Research
The programmable transmit and receive architecture can support experimental radar development within the device’s RF and bandwidth capabilities.
- Experimental radar waveforms
- Pulse generation
- Radar receiver research
- Signal processing algorithms
- Proof-of-concept radar systems
Direction Finding and Distributed Receiver Research
The GPS-disciplined timing architecture can be useful when building research systems involving multiple coordinated receivers.
- Distributed receiver experiments
- Signal localization research
- Time-correlated RF measurements
- Multi-site spectrum monitoring
- Wireless propagation studies
University Communication Laboratories
The USRP-2930 provides a practical SDR platform for teaching communications and RF engineering using real signals.
- Software-defined radio courses
- Digital communications laboratories
- RF engineering education
- Signal processing experiments
- Graduate research projects
Comparison with Similar USRP Devices
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| NI USRP-2930 | 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz, 1 TX/1 RX SDR with integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator for improved frequency accuracy and synchronization. | Synchronized 50 MHz–2.2 GHz SDR research |
| NI USRP-2920 | Provides similar 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz RF coverage but does not include the integrated GPS-disciplined timing architecture of the USRP-2930. | General-purpose 50 MHz–2.2 GHz SDR research |
| NI USRP-2932 | GPS-disciplined SDR with a higher 400 MHz to 4.4 GHz frequency range. | Synchronized higher-frequency wireless research |
| NI USRP-2950 | Higher-performance 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz USRP platform with 2 TX/2 RX channels and substantially greater bandwidth options. | Advanced MIMO and wideband SDR research |
Recommended Related Products
| NI USRP-2920 | 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz software-defined radio for applications that do not require an integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator. |
| NI USRP-2932 | GPS-disciplined SDR covering 400 MHz to 4.4 GHz for synchronized RF applications requiring higher operating frequencies. |
| NI USRP-2950 | Higher-performance 2 TX/2 RX SDR platform for advanced MIMO, wideband wireless communications, and RF prototyping. |
| NI USRP-2922 | 400 MHz to 4.4 GHz SDR platform for applications requiring higher RF frequency coverage without integrated GPS-disciplined timing. |
Why Choose USRP-2930?
- 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz continuous RF coverage
- 1 transmit and 1 receive RF channel
- Integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator
- Approximately ±25 ppb frequency accuracy without GPS antenna
- Up to 20 MHz real-time bandwidth with 16-bit samples
- Up to 40 MHz real-time bandwidth with 8-bit samples
- Up to 25 MS/s 16-bit I/Q sample rate
- Up to 50 MS/s 8-bit I/Q sample rate
- 14-bit, 100 MS/s ADC architecture
- 16-bit, 400 MS/s DAC architecture
- Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- Ideal for synchronized and distributed SDR systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NI USRP-2930?
The NI USRP-2930 is a GPS-disciplined software-defined radio transceiver covering 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz. It is designed for synchronized wireless communications research, RF prototyping, spectrum monitoring, distributed radio experiments, and education.
What frequency range does the USRP-2930 support?
The USRP-2930 supports both RF transmission and reception from 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz.
Does the USRP-2930 include GPS?
Yes. The USRP-2930 incorporates a GPS-disciplined oscillator that can use GPS signals to improve its timing and frequency reference.
What is the bandwidth of the USRP-2930?
The USRP-2930 supports up to 20 MHz of instantaneous real-time bandwidth with 16-bit samples and up to 40 MHz with 8-bit samples. Actual achievable streaming performance depends on the host computer and network configuration.
What is the maximum I/Q sample rate?
The USRP-2930 supports up to 25 MS/s with 16-bit I/Q samples or up to 50 MS/s with 8-bit samples, subject to host and network performance.
How accurate is the USRP-2930 frequency reference?
NI specifies approximately ±25 ppb frequency accuracy without GPS antenna operation for the USRP-2930’s precision oscillator architecture. GPS disciplining can further improve long-term frequency reference performance.
What is the difference between USRP-2920 and USRP-2930?
Both models cover 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz and use related SDR architectures. The major difference is that the USRP-2930 includes an integrated GPS-disciplined oscillator, while the USRP-2920 does not. The USRP-2930 is therefore better suited for applications requiring improved frequency accuracy, global timing, or synchronization between multiple radios.
What is the difference between USRP-2930 and USRP-2932?
Both models provide GPS-disciplined timing capability. The primary difference is RF frequency coverage: the USRP-2930 operates from 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz, while the USRP-2932 covers 400 MHz to 4.4 GHz.
What is the difference between USRP-2930 and USRP-2950?
The USRP-2930 is a 1 TX/1 RX platform with 20 MHz nominal real-time bandwidth and integrated GPS-disciplined timing. The USRP-2950 is a higher-performance 2 TX/2 RX platform designed for applications requiring wider bandwidth, MIMO configurations, and more advanced SDR development.
Can multiple USRP-2930 devices be synchronized?
Yes. Synchronization is one of the key advantages of the USRP-2930. Its integrated GPS-disciplined timing architecture can be used to establish common time and frequency references across multiple radios, including geographically separated experimental systems.
Can USRP-2930 be used for spectrum monitoring?
Yes. The USRP-2930 can capture complex I/Q data for software-based spectrum monitoring, signal detection, interference analysis, and RF research. It should not automatically be treated as a replacement for a calibrated spectrum analyzer when traceable measurement accuracy or regulatory compliance testing is required.
Can USRP-2930 be used for radar research?
Yes. Within its frequency, bandwidth, power, and timing capabilities, the USRP-2930 can be used for experimental radar waveform generation, signal acquisition, algorithm development, and proof-of-concept radar research.
What host interface does USRP-2930 use?
The USRP-2930 uses Gigabit Ethernet for communication and I/Q data streaming between the SDR hardware and a compatible host computer.
What software supports USRP-2930?
The USRP-2930 is supported by compatible NI-USRP software environments and can be integrated with LabVIEW for RF configuration, I/Q streaming, waveform generation, signal acquisition, modulation, demodulation, and communications algorithm development.
Conclusion
The NI USRP-2930 software defined radio provides a flexible 50 MHz to 2.2 GHz RF platform for synchronized wireless research, spectrum monitoring, RF prototyping, distributed receiver systems, radar experimentation, and communications education. Its combination of 1 TX/1 RX RF operation, up to 20 MHz real-time bandwidth with 16-bit samples, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, high-speed I/Q processing, and integrated GPS-disciplined timing makes the USRP-2930 particularly valuable for applications where frequency accuracy and synchronization are important.
