# PCI Express SDR Cards and GNU Radio

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/pci-express-sdr-cards-and-gnu-radio/221203>\
**Category:** GNU Radio\
**Created:** [July 4, 2012, 9:56am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/pci-express-sdr-cards-and-gnu-radio/221203 "2012-07-04T09:56:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aris](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/258eb7/32.png) [@aris](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/aris)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 9:56am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/pci-express-sdr-cards-and-gnu-radio/221203/1 "2012-07-04T09:56:25Z")

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Hello guys,

I am searching for PCI Express cards that can (or possibly can) work  
together with GNU Radio. So far I have found this  
[http://www.pervices.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product\_id=48](http://www.pervices.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=48)  
and they provide a block for the GRC to communicate with the card.

Has anyone played with this or a similar card?

Thanks in advance!

–  
Code is the Law!

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**Author:** ![Manolis\_Surligas](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Manolis\_Surligas](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Manolis_Surligas)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/pci-express-sdr-cards-and-gnu-radio/221203/2 "2012-07-04T15:34:57Z")

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There are a few companies that do business in data acquisition and DSP  
hardware (slap a RF front end and antenna in front of these and you  
got a SDR) that offer many, many form factor (i.e. PCIe) for all kinds  
of applications. Unfortunately they are not playing well with the GNU  
Radio environment as far as I know. The supporting software  
environment will quickly exceed any budget you have in mind.

Here is the biggest ones I have in mind if you are still interested:

> **[Interconnect Systems Home 2023](https://isipkg.com/)**
>
> MANY CAPABILITIES, ONE COMPANY 
> We excel in complex development projects requiring
> tight integration among many microelectronic disciplines 
> In house design, manufacturing and test capabilities allow ISI
> to quickly deliver prototypes and production...

[http://www.pentek.com/](http://www.pentek.com/)  
[http://www.spectrumsignal.com/](http://www.spectrumsignal.com/)

Processing wise, they are all using the FPGA much more than your  
typical Ettus USRP. This involves Simulink (3000$), HDL Coder (10000$)  
and Xilinx System Generator (5000$) packages that will set you back  
quite a bit but allow rapid implementation of all your DSP needs  
(effectively replacing GNU Radio) right on the FPGA. Aside from that  
on the software side each company offers their own custom supporting  
software libraries and drivers although I am sure you can hook to  
MATLAB and Simulink too somehow.

So I don’t think this is what you need if you’re looking for a cost  
efficient platform that supports free software but there is indeed  
many PCIe SDR platforms that exist out there worth mentioning. Your  
best bet is that maybe someday Ettus R. will have a product with  
PCIe form factor… I wouldn’t count on that anytime soon though.

On Wed, Jul 4, 2012 at 3:55 AM, Manolis Surligas

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Manolis\_Surligas](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Manolis\_Surligas](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Manolis_Surligas)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/pci-express-sdr-cards-and-gnu-radio/221203/3 "2012-07-04T15:50:51Z")

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On Wed, Jul 4, 2012 at 3:55 AM, Manolis Surligas  
[removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> Hello guys,
> 
> I am searching for PCI Express cards that can (or possibly can) work  
> together with GNU Radio. So far I have found this  
> [http://www.pervices.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product\_id=48](http://www.pervices.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=48)  
> and they provide a block for the GRC to communicate with the card.
> 
> Has anyone played with this or a similar card?
> 
> Thanks in advance!

I only know of the Per Vices product but have not gotten my hands on  
it. But I’m really happy that they have produced their own GNU Radio  
interface for it already.

My biggest question is if it’s well-shielded enough for the noisy RF  
environment inside a computer chassis.

Tom