WR-G69DDCe 'EXCELSIOR Ultra'

Overview

The WiNRADiO WR-G69DDC 'Excelsior Ultra' is a top performance, software-defined, wide-band, ultra-fast search speed 3 GHz/s, HF/VHF/UHF/SHF receiver. Two independent and mutually exclusive inputs are provided, one for each range: 8 kHz to 80 MHz and 43 MHz to 8 GHz. A real-time 80/34 MHz-wide spectrum analyzer is included with a 32 MHz wide instantaneous bandwidth available for recording, demodulation and further digital processing over the whole frequency range.

The receiver's superior performance results from its innovative, combination of direct-sampling and superheterodyne, digital down-conversion architecture along with the use of leading-edge components and design concepts. These all result in excellent sensitivity, phase noise and dynamic range, highly accurate and stable tuning, high scanning speed and perfect demodulation. These key features create a receiver in a class of its own, making it capable of filling not only the role of a monitoring receiver but also that of a fast search receiver and measuring receiver, with many operational and instrumentation features not usually found on receivers of any price category.

The entire 32 MHz DDC (digitally down-converted) bandwidth is available for recording and demodulation, and ideal for hopping frequencies analysis. Three demodulators allow the simultaneous reception and decoding of radio signals within the entire band.

The WR-G69DDCe also features optional external reference frequency inputs and outputs as well as 1PPS pulse input. In addition, stereo analog output is also possible, as well as wide audio (10 Hz-150 kHz). The special data port offers numerous possibilities which include GPIO (general purpose I/O), HSP (high speed data output), or traditional RS232 interface.

Software

(Click on panel to enlarge.)

The WR-G69DDC control software provides a highly functional and logical user interface. There are several spectrum analyzer configurations available, including the 80/34 MHz full span with 2.6 kHz resolution. The scalable spectrum display can be viewed in either the standard or waterfall mode.

The digital down-converter provides 33 selectable output bandwidths ranging from 20 kHz to 32 MHz. The receiver's selectivity can be adjusted with 1 Hz resolution.

Recording and playback are also provided at the output of the digital down-converter, whereby a 32 MHz wide spectrum chunk can be recorded for later demodulation and post-processing.

The 16-bit 200 MSPS A/D converter contributes to an excellent dynamic range and ultra-fast sweeps with spectrum analyzer and waterfall displays, making the receiver useful for analysing many types of signal.

In spite of the receiver's ground-breaking architecture and powerful functionality, the user interface still remains simple and intuitive to use, with a rich on-screen help facility. The control software contains all the features generally expected in modern receivers such as noise blanking, memories, scheduler, squelch (level, voice or noise activated), numerous tuning options, and a wide choice of demodulation modes, including user-defined and ready-for-digital communication modes. The parameters of all demodulator channels can be set separately, allowing each to be recorded simultaneously and independently. Recording and playback are also provided at the output of the digital down-converter, where an entire 32 MHz spectrum band can be recorded for later demodulation. Pre-buffering prevents signal loss at the start of a transmission. A flexible scheduler function allows unattended recording of each channel at specified dates and times.

There is also a unique "pause" function, making it possible to pause reception and resume it when convenient. This is very useful in case the receiver is left unattended for a period of time.

A "toolbox" full of various test and measurement tools, such as frequency error, SINAD, THD and modulation meters, logger and scheduler, complement the entire package and make it possible to use this product as a measuring receiver, replacing much more expensive (and often less capable or less accurate) conventional test equipment.

The software-defined architecture allows easy software upgrades for demodulation and decoding requirements. Component variations and aging are greatly diminished in a software-defined receiver, assuring long-term premium performance.