LinkRF - EME and Weak signal communication

IQ+XT Software Define Radio exciter

IQ+ XT (144Mhz RF Exciter)

Download preliminnary documentation here

Performance measure on the RC1 (proto Nr.6)

RF power output: +10dBm

Harmonic response: better than 75dBc up to 5th harmonic.

LO leackage: >=75dB

Image rejection: >=80dB

Side band noise: @20KHz = -130dBc/Hz

@50KHz = -133dBc/Hz

The IQ+XT reach -156dBc/Hz@50KHz

After test several options for a Local oscillator I was able to reach a side band noise of -156dBc/Hz@50KHz just using a better oscillator with much less phase noise.

I'm preparing a document about the experiment I did to probe where the limits are for the LTC5598 (the IQ modulator used on the IQ+XT) and the results are promising, stay tune.