Product Introduction
The Ettus USRP E320 is a compact embedded software defined radio (SDR) platform designed for portable wireless communications research, field RF testing, spectrum monitoring, prototyping, and embedded SDR applications.
The USRP E320 integrates RF transceiver capability, FPGA processing, embedded ARM computing, high-speed data interfaces, and a compact standalone design into a portable SDR platform. It is optimized for applications requiring mobility, remote deployment, and real-time signal processing.
Supporting RF operation from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, 2 transmit channels and 2 receive channels, FPGA-based processing, and UHD software support, the E320 provides a flexible solution for engineers developing portable and embedded RF systems.
Product Overview
The Ettus USRP E320 belongs to the Ettus Embedded Series SDR family and is designed for applications where size, portability, and standalone operation are important.
Unlike rack-mounted USRP platforms such as the N300/N310 or modular X Series devices, the E320 combines RF hardware, FPGA processing, and embedded computing into a compact enclosure suitable for mobile and field applications.
The E320 is widely used for wireless communications research, spectrum sensing, RF experimentation, direction finding, remote monitoring, and embedded SDR development.
Key Features
Wide RF Frequency Coverage from 70 MHz to 6 GHz
The USRP E320 provides broad frequency coverage for a variety of wireless and RF applications.
- 70 MHz to 6 GHz RF frequency range
- Wideband RF transceiver architecture
- Software-defined frequency tuning
- Support for multiple wireless standards
- Flexible RF experimentation
Advantage: The wide RF range allows the E320 to support cellular, ISM, IoT, WLAN, amateur radio, and research applications.
2 TX / 2 RX RF Channels
The USRP E320 provides two transmit channels and two receive channels for multi-channel SDR applications.
- 2 transmit channels
- 2 receive channels
- 2×2 MIMO capability
- Multi-antenna experiments
- Wireless protocol research
- RF signal monitoring
Advantage: Dual-channel capability enables MIMO experiments and advanced wireless research in a compact form factor.
Embedded ARM Processor
The E320 includes an integrated embedded processor for standalone SDR operation.
- Embedded ARM processor
- Linux-based operation
- Standalone SDR deployment
- Local application execution
- Remote network operation
Advantage: The embedded computing architecture allows the E320 to operate without requiring a dedicated external computer.
FPGA-Based Real-Time Processing
The USRP E320 provides programmable FPGA resources for real-time signal processing.
- FPGA-based DSP
- Digital filtering
- Digital upconversion
- Digital downconversion
- Custom signal processing
- Low-latency applications
Advantage: FPGA processing enables real-time RF processing close to the hardware.
Portable Embedded SDR Design
The compact design of the E320 makes it suitable for applications requiring mobility and flexible deployment.
- Compact enclosure
- Portable SDR operation
- Field RF measurements
- Remote deployment
- Embedded system integration
Advantage: Portable design allows engineers to perform SDR experiments outside traditional laboratory environments.
Battery-Powered Operation
The USRP E320 supports battery-powered operation for portable applications.
- Battery operation capability
- Mobile RF testing
- Field measurement systems
- Remote monitoring applications
Advantage: Battery capability enables flexible deployment in locations without fixed power infrastructure.
Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity
The E320 provides network connectivity for remote SDR control and data streaming.
- Gigabit Ethernet interface
- Remote SDR operation
- Network-based control
- Host computer connectivity
Advantage: Ethernet connectivity allows flexible integration into laboratory and field networks.
USB Connectivity
The E320 provides USB connectivity for system expansion and peripheral integration.
- USB interface
- Peripheral connectivity
- Flexible system integration
External Clock and Synchronization
The USRP E320 supports external timing and reference synchronization features.
- 10 MHz reference support
- PPS timing support
- Multi-device synchronization
- Coherent RF experiments
Advantage: Synchronization capability enables MIMO, localization, and distributed SDR applications.
UHD Software Support
The E320 is supported by Ettus UHD software and a broad SDR development ecosystem.
- UHD driver support
- GNU Radio integration
- C/C++ development
- Python-based SDR applications
- Custom wireless research
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Embedded Software Defined Radio |
| Model | Ettus USRP E320 |
| RF Frequency Range | 70 MHz to 6 GHz |
| RF Channels | 2 TX / 2 RX |
| MIMO Capability | 2×2 MIMO |
| FPGA | Programmable FPGA Architecture |
| Processor | Embedded ARM Processor |
| Operating System | Embedded Linux |
| Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Synchronization | 10 MHz Reference and PPS Support |
| Software Support | UHD, GNU Radio, C/C++, Python |
| Primary Applications | Portable SDR, Wireless Research, Spectrum Monitoring, Embedded RF Systems |
Software Ecosystem
The Ettus USRP E320 is supported by a complete SDR development ecosystem.
- UHD: Provides hardware drivers and APIs for RF configuration, streaming, synchronization, and device control.
- GNU Radio: Enables graphical development of communication systems and signal-processing applications.
- C/C++: Supports high-performance custom SDR applications.
- Python: Enables scripting, automation, and rapid SDR development.
Industries
- Wireless Communications
- Aerospace and Defense
- RF Engineering
- Telecommunications
- Universities and Research Laboratories
- Embedded System Development
- Spectrum Monitoring
Applications
Portable Wireless Research
The compact design makes the E320 suitable for mobile wireless experiments.
- Wireless protocol research
- Mobile communication testing
- Field RF experiments
- Portable test systems
Spectrum Monitoring
The E320 can be deployed as a portable spectrum monitoring platform.
- RF signal monitoring
- Interference detection
- Spectrum surveys
- Signal analysis
Embedded SDR Applications
The integrated processor and FPGA resources support embedded SDR solutions.
- Standalone RF systems
- Remote monitoring devices
- Custom communication platforms
- Edge signal processing
Direction Finding
Multiple synchronized channels allow experimental direction-finding applications.
- RF localization
- Phase-based measurements
- Antenna-array experiments
- Signal tracking research
Wireless Communication Prototyping
The E320 provides a flexible platform for developing custom wireless systems.
- Digital modulation research
- Wireless protocol development
- Communication experiments
- IoT research
Comparison with Similar USRP Devices
| Model | Main Difference | Best Application |
|---|---|---|
| USRP E320 | Portable embedded SDR with integrated processor, FPGA, 70 MHz to 6 GHz coverage and 2 TX/2 RX. | Portable and embedded SDR applications |
| USRP N300 | Network SDR with higher throughput and rack/network deployment focus. | Distributed SDR systems |
| USRP N320 | Higher-performance network SDR for advanced wireless research. | High-performance network applications |
| USRP X310 | Modular SDR platform with flexible daughterboards and larger FPGA resources. | Advanced laboratory SDR development |
Recommended Related Products
| Ettus USRP N300 | Network SDR platform for distributed wireless systems and RF research. |
| Ettus USRP N320 | High-performance network SDR for advanced communication applications. |
| Ettus USRP X310 | Modular high-performance SDR platform for FPGA-based development. |
Why Choose USRP E320?
- 70 MHz to 6 GHz RF coverage
- 2 TX / 2 RX channels
- Portable embedded SDR design
- Integrated ARM processor
- FPGA-based real-time processing
- Battery-powered operation
- UHD and GNU Radio support
- Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
- Ideal for field RF applications
- Suitable for embedded SDR development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ettus USRP E320?
The USRP E320 is a portable embedded software-defined radio platform designed for wireless research, field RF testing, spectrum monitoring, and embedded SDR applications.
What frequency range does the USRP E320 support?
The USRP E320 supports RF operation from 70 MHz to 6 GHz.
How many channels does the USRP E320 provide?
The E320 provides two transmit channels and two receive channels, supporting 2×2 MIMO applications.
Does the USRP E320 require an external computer?
No. The E320 includes an embedded processor and can operate as a standalone SDR platform.
Is the USRP E320 portable?
Yes. The E320 is designed as a compact embedded SDR platform and supports battery-powered portable operation.
What software supports the USRP E320?
The E320 supports UHD, GNU Radio, C/C++, and Python-based SDR development environments.
Conclusion
The Ettus USRP E320 software defined radio is a compact embedded SDR platform designed for portable wireless research, RF prototyping, spectrum monitoring, and embedded communication systems. With 70 MHz to 6 GHz RF coverage, 2 TX/2 RX channels, FPGA processing, integrated ARM computing, battery operation capability, and UHD software support, the USRP E320 provides a flexible solution for mobile and standalone SDR applications.
