Peanut Software-Defined Radio (SDR)™: Secure, Versatile, And Reliable RF

The Peanut Software-Defined Radio (SDR) family of systems (FOS) combines high performance, versatility, and value in space- and power-efficient packages. Peanut’s architecture dramatically minimizes the development cycle of even the most complex signal processing algorithms by reducing FPGA programming requirements and relying instead on accelerated general-purpose multi-core ARM processors.

What Is The Peanut SDR™?

Versatile Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Platform for Defense and Commercial Applications

Peanut SDR platforms support a wide range of mission-critical use cases, including alternative and assured PNT, RF situational awareness (SA), tactical edge operations, and complementary precision timing. In addition, these versatile SDR solutions enable numerous DoD and commercial RF applications.

Available as either an OEM circuit card or in low-SWaP-C enclosures, Peanut SDRs deliver the processing power and I/O capabilities needed to implement complex applications and demanding RF tasks.

Peanut is compatible with APS, our Assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) solution.

Advanced RF Task Processing

Alternate PNT (non-GPS/GNSS)
RF situational awareness
RF emitter geolocation/tracking
Tactical edge applications
Passive communications receiver
Precision timing backup for electrical grids, financial and comms networks, etc.

Peanut Software-Defined Radio™

Peanut-D (Dismount)

Peanut-M (Mounted)

Peanut-D (Dismount)

Key Features

The Peanut-D SDR delivers the processing power required to support demanding RF applications and mission-critical operations, including:

GPS-denied positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)
RF situational awareness (SA)
Tactical edge applications

High-Performance, Very-Low-SWaP-C SDR

Body-wearable solutions
Expendable devices

Compact Size & Low Power Requirement

3” x 4” x 1” enclosure (also available without enclosure)
8 oz.
2W average power via USB 2.0 (+5v DC)

Input/Output (I/O)

1 Rx port, (325–3800 MHz), +3v DC-biased, SMA-female
2x USB 2.0, ethernet (via ext. adapter)

Peanut-M (Mounted)

Key Features

The Peanut-M SDR delivers the processing power required to support demanding RF applications and mission-critical operations, including:

GPS-denied PNT
RF situational awareness and EW
Tactical edge applications
Precision timing backup
Capacity to accommodate additional signal processing

High-Performance, Low-SWaP-C SDR

Small UAS deployment
Mounted platforms

Size & Power Requirement

3.5” x 4” x 2” (also available without enclosure)
14 oz.
6W average power via barrel plug (+8–20v DC)

Input/Output (I/O)

2 Rx, 2 Tx, (70–6000 MHz), SMA-female,
+3v DC-biased Rx
10 MHz and 1 PPS (in/out)
USB console port
Gigabit ethernet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT)?

What is an SDR platform?

A software-defined radio, or SDR, is a radio system in which many tasks traditionally performed by dedicated hardware—such as modulation, demodulation, filtering, and signal processing—are implemented in software running on a processor or computer. This allows many functional changes to be made by modifying or replacing software rather than redesigning or replacing physical circuits and components, as long as those functions can be supported by the SDR’s underlying RF hardware.

What are some practical military applications of an SDR system?

SDR-based platforms can provide the flexibility to support a variety of military RF functions, including communications, radar, electronic warfare, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), spectrum monitoring, signals intelligence, and situational awareness. Many capabilities can be added, updated, or reconfigured through software without requiring hardware changes, provided the existing RF and processing hardware supports the required frequencies, bandwidth, power, and performance.

What is the difference between Peanut-D and Peanut-M?

Parsons’ low-SWaP-C (low Wize, Weight, Power and Cost) Peanut SDR (software-defined radio) is available in two versions. Peanut-D is configured for dismount applications, while Peanut-M is designed to support mounted applications. Both versions are furnished with processing power, RF inputs, and other capabilities to support demanding applications. Equipped with APS application software, Peanut SDRs provide APS user equipment (UE) functionality.