bladeRF x40 USB 3.0 Software Defined Radio 300MHz–3.8GHz 40MSPS 40KLE Cyclone IV FPGA SDR

The bladeRF x40 is a compact, professional‑grade USB 3.0 software defined radio (SDR) covering 300MHz to 3.8GHz with full‑duplex 40MSPS 12‑bit quadrature sampling. Built around a 40KLE Altera Cyclone IV FPGA, the x40 provides an affordable entry into serious SDR work while retaining the flexibility needed for custom RF modems, cellular experiments, and wireless research.

Out of the box, the bladeRF x40 connects via USB 3.0 Superspeed through a Cypress FX3 controller, delivering high‑throughput, low‑latency I/Q streaming that can saturate the 5Gbps link. With support for GNU Radio (including live images), plus other popular SDR applications, you can immediately use it as a wideband transceiver for learning, prototyping, and deployment. All host software, firmware, and HDL are open source and available on GitHub, making the bladeRF x40 ideal for labs, universities, and developers.

Key Features

• Frequency range: 300MHz – 3.8GHz without additional boards
• Sample rate: Full‑duplex 40MSPS, 12‑bit I/Q
• FPGA: 40KLE Altera Cyclone IV with DSP multipliers and embedded memory
• RF transceiver: LimeMicro LMS6002D wideband RF IC
• Typical TX power: around +6dBm
• Clock source: factory‑calibrated VCTCXO tuned within 1Hz of 38.4MHz
• RF shielding: removable‑cap RF shields for improved sensitivity and isolation
• Clocking architecture: flexible design to support arbitrary sample rates and external synchronization
• Expansion: GPIO expansion port (supports optional GPIO Expansion Board)
• Headless operation: on‑board SPI flash for standalone boot and operation without a host PC

Software & Applications

• Open‑source stack: host utilities, firmware, and FPGA HDL available on GitHub
• Supported tools: GNU Radio, GQRX, SDR#, and other common SDR frameworks
• Example use cases: custom RF modems, GSM/LTE picocell, GPS receiver, ATSC transmitter, Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi client, and protocol research

Performance & Expansion

• Usable bandwidth: up to ~28MHz of clean RF bandwidth within the tuning range
• Frequency extension: expand into HF/VHF with the optional XB‑200 Transverter Board
• Design resources: product brief, schematics, mechanical DXF, and support documentation available for integration and enclosure design

Kit Contents

• 1 × bladeRF x40 (40KLE Cyclone IV FPGA)
• 1 × USB 3.0 Superspeed cable
• 2 × SMA RF cables

With its balance of cost, capability, and a rich open‑source ecosystem, the bladeRF x40 is an excellent SDR platform for students, hobbyists, and professionals looking to explore wideband RF, build custom wireless systems, or deploy compact, high‑performance radios.