How are the 5.8 GHz amplifier (with sales exceeding 100,000 units) and the AD9361 chip, which has been developed over many years, applied?

Latest optimized SDR board enclosure. Data interface, power supply, and exterior appearance information. DTC BluSDR‑30 2×1W Clamshell Core (operating frequency band: 5.50–6.00 GHz).

This product is a radio module based on the SOL8SDR architecture, primarily designed for UxV (unmanned vehicle) applications, with particular suitability for medium‑range missions on small‑to‑medium‑sized UAVs, achieving a maximum operational range of up to 30 km. Its core performance features include:

2 W total output power (2×1 W COFDM transceivers)

Supports SBUS and MAVLink protocols

MeshUltra MANET (Mobile Ad‑hoc Network) with self‑healing mesh networking, supporting up to 144 nodes

TDMA communication mode (with token passing, approximately 300 times/second)

Optional AES128/256 encryption (FIPS 140‑2 compliant)

Multiple interfaces: USB‑C (with PD support), Ethernet over USB, RS‑232, Ethernet, and support for 3G/4G/Wi‑Fi peripherals

On‑board 128 GB memory

Low power consumption (approx. 12 W at 25% IP Mesh load), compact size, lightweight, and rugged shielded enclosure

Main processor: Xilinx ZynQ 7030; RF module: AD9361; Receive channel: based on GRF2543 LNA (Low Noise Amplifier); Transmit channel: based on SAZ5044Z + CGHV1F006S; T/R switching (TDMA mode); Power supply; USB controller; Ethernet PHY; SD card slot, etc. A highly integrated, compact professional radio module supporting mesh ad‑hoc networking, suitable for medium‑range UAV data links, emphasising reliable mesh networking capability and low‑power design. (Public information below.)

The best‑selling SZA5044Z (Qorvo / formerly RFMD) is a high‑performance 5 GHz power amplifier (PA), hailed as a "star chip" for UAV data‑link transmitters:

Operating band: 4.9–5.9 GHz (perfectly covering the commonly used 5.8 GHz band)

High output power and high gain (typically around 33 dB gain)

High‑efficiency Class‑AB HBT amplifier

Good linearity, strong overload capability, and excellent cost‑performance ratio

Widely adopted in small‑to‑medium‑sized UAVs and medium‑range video transmission/data links – one of the most popular 5 GHz PAs currently available

The AD9361 (Analog Devices) is a wideband RF agile transceiver chip, arguably the "king of popularity" in the SDR (Software‑Defined Radio) field:

Ultra‑wide frequency range: 70 MHz – 6.0 GHz

Dual‑channel 2×2 MIMO

Supports bandwidths up to 56 MHz

Extremely high integration (with built‑in 12‑bit ADC/DAC)

Stable performance and mature software support (widely adopted in open‑source SDR projects and industrial‑grade equipment)

The SZA5044Z handles high‑power transmit amplification, while the AD9361 handles flexible wideband transmit/receive operations. Together, they form a highly integrated, cost‑effective, and reliable medium‑range UAV data‑link solution, widely used by many domestic UAV/video‑transmission manufacturers, making them an industry "best‑selling" combination. (Links below.)

Thought it was just an ordinary SDR? Tearing down the Geranium‑2 wireless module reveals the true design of ZYNQ+AD9363!

AD9361: 13 years of service – what signals can this classic SDR chip actually output?

Looks like a microstrip‑line filter circuit design (upgraded to version 4.0),搭载 Marvell 88E1510 Ethernet PHY chip.

Bottom (reverse side) of the D1990_PCB.4 Rev 4.0 circuit board, showing a card slot.
Left area: Dense cluster of multiple power management ICs, inductors, capacitors, etc. – primarily power supply circuitry.
Right area: More RF‑related components (including filters, RF switches, PA, etc.) and traces of shielding cans.
Overall layout: The left half is dominated by power supply and baseband processing, while the right half leans toward the RF front‑end. The board uses an ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) finish with a relatively neat workmanship.

T/R switching RF circuitry (5.8 GHz), driving a power amplifier output. Receive LNA and filter processing. (Close‑up of a specific section of the circuit layout.)

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Repeater/Translator/New products at exhibitions

5.8 GHz video signal is solid! Ukrainian FPV repeater with custom antenna array.

Russia reveals inside story of its 'Ghoul' relay drone: new EW weapon, and it's 3D‑printed?

Primarily targeting the conventional 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz bands (video/video transmission, high frequency): wavelengths are short (around 12 cm / 5 cm respectively). The same or combined antennas can operate on multiple bands via multi‑band matching circuits or independent elements, often using helically loaded or sleeve‑dipole configurations to achieve multi‑band compatibility, providing relatively high‑gain omnidirectional radiation.
915 MHz (telemetry/control, low frequency): Wavelength is longer (≈32 cm); slender whip antennas close to 1/4‑wavelength resonance offer good omnidirectional coverage and penetration, suitable for relaying ground control signals to distant FPV UAVs.