The SDR6004 developed by IAF GmbH is an open high‑performance software defined radio (SDR) platform designed for demanding system‑level applications. It is based on the AMD/Xilinx RFSoC XCZU47DR and has been fully developed and manufactured in Germany (“Made in Germany”).
As an RFSoC‑based SDR transceiver, the SDR6004 targets complex RF and sensor systems in defense, research and development, next‑generation mobile communications (5G/6G), and mission‑critical wireless and communication systems.
As system integrator, powerBridge Computer provides technical evaluation, customer‑specific customization, and full system integration of the SDR6004 into operational solutions. This results in a practical, project‑oriented SDR platform that can be flexibly adapted to specific requirements — from system architecture and hardware/software integration to commissioning.
Open SDR Platform for Defense and Security Applications
Unlike many proprietary SDR solutions on the market, the SDR6004 follows a consistently open platform approach. Users gain low‑level hardware access to RFSoC resources, can freely customize RF frontends, and benefit from a Vivado‑based Board Support Package (BSP).
This openness is particularly important for defense programs, SIGINT systems, electronic warfare (EW), and security‑critical applications, where transparency, long‑term availability, and full system control are essential requirements.
Technical Overview – High‑Performance 1U RFSoC‑Based SDR Transceiver
The SDR6004 is designed as an industrial‑grade 1U SDR transceiver, combining high RF performance with seamless system integration:
- 8‑channel broadband SDR with integrated RF frontend up to 6 GHz
- AMD/Xilinx RFSoC XCZU47DR with direct RF sampling
- 16 GB DDR4 (PL) and 8 GB DDR4 (PS) for advanced signal processing
- Modular hardware architecture with a dedicated RF control board (Spartan‑7 FPGA)
- 8 multiband MTR modules optimized for noise and output power performance
- High‑speed interfaces:
- 2× QSFP (100 GbE)
- 10 GbE SFP
- PCIe Gen3
- NVMe
- RF‑shielded 19” aluminum chassis with an active industrial thermal concept
This architecture enables low‑latency, highly synchronized, and precise signal processing, which is a fundamental requirement for modern wireless, radar, and sensor systems.
Future‑Ready Platform for AI‑Based Signal Processing at the RFSoC
A key future‑oriented feature of the SDR6004 is its two M.2 slots with direct PCIe connectivity to the RFSoC. While originally intended for NVMe SSDs, these interfaces allow for the integration of AI accelerators in the M.2 form factor.
This enables AI‑based pre‑processing, signal classification, or anomaly detection to be executed close to the RF domain with minimal latency. Although such implementations require additional development effort, the SDR6004 is already fully prepared at the hardware level. This capability represents a significant competitive advantage over many closed SDR solutions.
Typical Application Areas of the SDR6004 SDR Platform
- Electronic Warfare (EW) and SIGINT
- Counter‑UAS systems and mission‑critical RF communications
- 6G and next‑generation mobile communications research
(e.g. JCAS, Massive MIMO) - Control and readout systems for quantum computers
- New‑Space applications and software‑defined satellite payloads
Conclusion – Open High‑Performance SDR Platform with System Expertise
The SDR6004 delivers an open, scalable, high‑performance SDR platform based on RFSoC technology and developed “Made in Germany”. Combined with the system integration expertise of powerBridge Computer, it provides a flexible, future‑proof solution for research, industrial, defense, and security projects — from development to operational deployment.