Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] RFNoc and data rates

[Marcus D. Leech]

On 09/22/2015 06:07 PM, Simon Olvhammar wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have a question regarding RFnoc and the USRP x310 FPGA capabilities.
> We currently have a working GnuRadio application used for astronomy 
> observations and are looking to get several more devices for 
> integration in other systems.
>
> However the data rates are high and CPU loads as well, thus we would 
> like to move the application to the FPGA.
> In the GnuRadio application we basically take the FFT of the signal 
> and store it to files.
> In Python we average the stored FFT:s, in terms of file size this is 
> then reducing, for example a 200 MB file with FFT:s to a couple of KB. 
> We would like to do the latter in the FPGA using RFNoc. This would 
> then eliminate the need for expensive PCIe and Ethernet equipment for 
> the high data rates.
> My question is, is this possible using current RFnoc blocks?, with for 
> example an average block?
>
> Also wondering if a 8k channel FFT block might be expected in RFNoc 
> anytime soon?
>
> Best regards
> Simon
Apart from the larger FFT, this should be doable--there's 
complex-to-mag, and single-pole-IIR filter modules in RFNoC, along with
  decimation blocks, so you could do your FFT averaging in the FPGA, 
and "dribble" out at much lower rates, compared to the incoming
  sample rates--I assume that you want to use the widest bandwidth 
possible?

I also want to use RFNoC for radio astronomy applications--but haven't 
had time to pursue it yet.   Both for simple interferometry, and
  single-dish total-power measurements.