A brand new SDR module is coming for Framework 16, becoming the GPU slot
Designed for C-UAS, it’ll detect, observe, and probably neutralize rogue drones
It packs severe processing energy with customized cooling for FPGA and DSP chips
We’re huge followers of Framework’s modular laptops – as whereas many pocket book makers have shifted in the direction of soldered elements, making even easy upgrades all however inconceivable, Framework’s strategy enables you to get the laptop computer you need and make no matter upgrades it is advisable the {hardware}.
You may select the processor, mainboard, RAM, and even elements just like the webcam, display, keyboard and growth playing cards. The corporate even gives a RISC-V mainboard, created by DeepComputing, and most just lately, Framework introduced its Laptop computer 16 system can now help as much as 26TB of superfast Gen4 SSD storage.
In 2024, the corporate open-sourced 3D CAD designs for its Laptop computer 16, giving customers the power to 3D print customized elements. Over on X, Lukas Henkel at Open Visions, which designs and develops revolutionary {hardware} options, introduced he’s taking benefit of this flexibility by making a Software program-Outlined Radio (SDR) module for a buyer within the Counter-Unmanned Plane Techniques (C-UAS) sector.
(Picture credit score: Lukas Henkel)
Taking down drones
This new product will match into the Framework 16 GPU module type issue, leading to what Henkel describes as a “nice, fully enclosed solution with lots of processing power and a very high-bandwidth link between the radio and the host system.”
In a later put up, Henkel defined he must “customize the heat pipe and heat spreader for the Framework Laptop SDR module in order to cool both the FPGA and DSP” as a result of the reference implementation is “designed for only a single heat source.” Thankfully, he studies, “the form factor provides enough Z-height for these kinds of modifications.”
Though Henkel doesn’t go into element about what the SDR module can be used for or the way it will work, being within the C-UAS sector, we are able to assume it is going to detect, observe, and doubtlessly neutralize unauthorized or hostile drones. This type of know-how is commonly utilized in army, legislation enforcement, and safety purposes, nevertheless it’s the primary time we’ve seen it being built-in so neatly right into a laptop computer on this means.
I’m growing an SDR module for a buyer within the C-UAS sector. The system will match into the Framework 16 GPU module formfactor leading to a pleasant totally enclosed answer with numerous processing energy and a really excessive bandwidth hyperlink between the radio and the host system. The… pic.twitter.com/oyHyfjr6GBJanuary 3, 2025
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