Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16 SDR Standard Kit IZD0021 16-Bit 122.88MS/s

The Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16 Standard Kit, manufacturer part number IZD0021, is a high-performance software-defined radio, RF signal acquisition, generation, and FPGA development platform designed specifically for demanding radio-frequency applications.

It combines two 16-bit 122.88MS/s RF inputs, two 14-bit 122.88MS/s RF outputs, 50-ohm RF interfaces, an ultra-low-phase-noise 122.88MHz clock, a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, and a Xilinx Zynq-7020 FPGA in a compact network-connected platform.

Developed with feedback from radio amateurs and research laboratories, the SDRlab 122-16 is optimized for software-defined radio, HF and 50MHz experimentation, communications research, spectrum analysis, high-speed signal processing, synchronized RF systems, and custom test equipment.

Designed Specifically for Software Defined Radio

Unlike general-purpose Red Pitaya STEMlab boards, the SDRlab 122-16 uses 50-ohm RF inputs and outputs and an RF front end optimized for low distortion, low noise, and reduced channel crosstalk.

This architecture makes it particularly suitable for direct integration with antennas, RF amplifiers, filters, preselectors, transverters, laboratory equipment, and other standard 50-ohm RF systems.

Dual 16-Bit 122.88MS/s RF Inputs

The SDRlab 122-16 provides two simultaneous high-resolution RF acquisition channels capable of sampling at 122.88MS/s with 16-bit resolution.

• 2 simultaneous RF input channels
• 16-bit ADC resolution
• 122.88MS/s sampling rate
• Approximately 300kHz to 550MHz analog input bandwidth
• 50-ohm input impedance
• AC-coupled inputs
• 0.5Vpp / approximately -2dBm full-scale input range

The wide analog input bandwidth allows the FPGA to process signals well beyond the first Nyquist zone in suitable undersampling applications, while SDR software can provide digital tuning and signal processing for specific radio workflows.

Dual 14-Bit RF Outputs

Two integrated high-speed DAC channels allow the board to generate RF and test signals directly from the FPGA.

• 2 RF output channels
• 14-bit DAC resolution
• Approximately 122.88MS/s sample rate
• Approximately 300kHz to 60MHz analog output bandwidth
• 50-ohm output load
• AC-coupled outputs
• Approximately ±0.5V / +4dBm full-scale output

These outputs make the board suitable for SDR transmitter development, waveform generation, communications experiments, RF testing, and closed-loop signal-processing systems.

Ultra-Low-Phase-Noise 122.88MHz Clock

The SDRlab 122-16 uses a 122.88MHz clock specifically selected for radio and digital signal-processing applications. The clock frequency is well suited to many HPSDR-compatible software architectures and common communications sample-rate structures.

Low phase noise is particularly important for narrowband reception, weak-signal experiments, digital communications, spectrum measurements, and SDR systems where oscillator quality directly affects receiver and transmitter performance.

Xilinx Zynq-7020 FPGA

The platform is based on the Xilinx Zynq-7020 SoC, combining programmable FPGA fabric with a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor.

High-speed and deterministic operations such as digital down conversion, filtering, FFT processing, modulation, demodulation, triggering, decimation, interpolation, and custom DSP algorithms can be implemented directly in FPGA hardware, while Linux applications and network services run on the ARM processor.

The Zynq-7020 provides significantly more programmable logic resources than the Zynq-7010 used in the original STEMlab 125-14, making the SDRlab particularly attractive for more demanding real-time DSP applications.

512MB RAM and Linux-Based Platform

The SDRlab 122-16 includes 512MB of system RAM and boots its operating system from a microSD card. The combination of embedded Linux and FPGA hardware gives developers access to both high-level software development and low-level real-time signal processing.

Gigabit Ethernet for Remote SDR Operation

A 1Gbit Ethernet interface enables network control, data transfer, remote operation, and integration with SDR or laboratory software running on another computer.

This makes the SDRlab suitable for remote receiving stations, automated laboratories, distributed RF monitoring systems, and permanently installed radio infrastructure.

SDR Software Support

Red Pitaya includes SDR functionality with the SDRlab 122-16 Standard Kit. The platform can be used with compatible HPSDR-oriented applications and customized open-source SDR projects.

The programmable nature of the platform also allows developers to build their own digital receivers, transmitters, demodulators, spectrum-processing systems, and RF applications rather than being limited to a fixed SDR architecture.

Oscilloscope and Signal Generator

The SDRlab can also operate as a network-connected oscilloscope and signal generator, allowing signals to be acquired, displayed, analyzed, and generated without requiring a conventional standalone instrument for many development tasks.

Spectrum Analyzer

Red Pitaya's spectrum-analysis functionality allows users to inspect signals in the frequency domain, evaluate spectral components, monitor RF activity, measure harmonics, and investigate interference.

High-Speed Data Streaming

Streaming support enables acquired data to be transferred for continuous processing or storage. This makes the platform useful for long-duration monitoring, automated measurements, scientific experiments, spectrum recording, and custom data-acquisition systems.

SCPI, Python, MATLAB and LabVIEW Control

The SDRlab 122-16 can be integrated into automated measurement and research environments through common scientific and engineering tools.

• Python
• Jupyter Notebook
• MATLAB
• LabVIEW
• SCPI remote-control workflows
• C and custom Linux applications
• Custom FPGA development

Expansion and Embedded Interfaces

Two extension connectors expose additional digital and analog resources for integrating the SDRlab into custom instruments, experimental systems, and embedded applications.

• 16 digital I/O lines
• 4 auxiliary analog inputs
• 12-bit auxiliary ADC resolution
• 0–3.5V auxiliary analog input range
• 4 auxiliary analog outputs
• 12-bit auxiliary DAC resolution
• 0–1.8V auxiliary analog output range
• I2C
• SPI
• UART
• Available -4V, +3.3V and +5V supply rails

Key Features

• Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16 Standard Kit
• Manufacturer part number IZD0021
• Purpose-built software-defined radio and RF development platform
• Xilinx Zynq-7020 SoC
• Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor
• 512MB RAM
• 2 × 16-bit RF ADC inputs
• 122.88MS/s simultaneous RF acquisition
• Approximately 300kHz–550MHz input bandwidth
• 2 × 14-bit RF DAC outputs
• Approximately 122.88MS/s waveform generation
• Approximately 300kHz–60MHz output bandwidth
• 50-ohm RF inputs and outputs
• AC-coupled RF signal paths
• Ultra-low-phase-noise 122.88MHz clock
• 1Gbit Ethernet
• USB 2.0
• Optional Wi-Fi using a compatible USB dongle
• Open-source software ecosystem
• FPGA-customizable signal-processing architecture
• SDR functionality included
• Oscilloscope and signal generator included
• Spectrum analyzer included
• High-speed streaming support
• SCPI remote control
• Python and Jupyter support

Technical Specifications

Typical Applications

• Software-defined radio receivers and transceivers
• HF radio experimentation
• 50MHz radio applications
• Amateur radio and radio research
• Reverse Beacon Network stations
• Skimmer Server systems
• Digital communications research
• Diversity receiver systems
• RF signal acquisition
• FFT and spectrum analysis
• Digital signal processing
• RF prototyping
• Radar research
• Electromagnetic measurements
• Scientific RF experiments
• University communications laboratories
• Remote radio and monitoring stations
• Custom FPGA-based RF instruments

Included Software Functions

• Oscilloscope and signal generator
• Spectrum analyzer
• High-speed streaming
• Software-defined radio
• SCPI server for MATLAB, LabVIEW and Python workflows
• Jupyter Notebook support

Optional Measurement Accessories

The SDRlab platform can be expanded with additional Red Pitaya accessories. Logic analyzer hardware, LCR accessories, VNA hardware, Wi-Fi adapters, specialized RF accessories, and other extension modules are not included with the standard IZD0021 package unless specifically stated.

What's in the Box?

• 1 × Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16 digitizer board
• 1 × 16GB Class 10 microSD card
• 1 × 1m Ethernet cable
• 1 × 5V / 2A power supply

SDRlab 122-16 vs STEMlab 125-14

Who Should Choose the SDRlab 122-16?

Choose the SDRlab 122-16 when RF performance, 50-ohm interfaces, 16-bit acquisition, wide analog input bandwidth, and an SDR-optimized clock are more important than the DC-coupled measurement capabilities of a conventional STEMlab board. It is particularly well suited to radio amateurs, communications engineers, RF researchers, universities, and developers building their own network-connected SDR or RF instrument.