Ubuntu-enabled open source SDR board drops to ??100/$139 | Linux Today

Ubuntu-enabled open source SDR board drops to ??100/$139

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Sep 18, 2017

Hi,

Wanted to update on a new piece of ubuntu-enabled open source hardware that’s been launched by Lime Micro and undergoing crowd funding. It’s a software defined radio board and uses Ubuntu apps to simplify the coding process – opening it up to more people.

It’s also cut the cost to just $139 (??100) and for the first 500 people $99 (albeit these went in less than a day). Funding after its first weekend is at 77% (100k minimum target). Its bigger sister raised 1.2 million albeit that cost $300 and was also bought in bulk by BT/EE.

Release / images are below. Given it’s got the Ubuntu link I thought it would be relevant.

Best r,

Rob

==

$99 LimeSDR Mini software defined radio launches on Crowd Supply

Open source LimeSDR backed by Ubuntu, Vodafone and BT/EE
Smaller, less expensive LimeSDR packs same LMS7002M transceiver as big sibling
Lime Microsystems has launched its open source Lime SDR Mini – a smaller, less expensive version of the hugely-popular LimeSDR software defined radio prototyping boards.

The LimeSDR Mini is available for pre-order immediately through Crowd Supply at $139 (??100, ???115).

It launched with an early bird price of $99 (??75, ???83) and sold all 500 of these in the first 24 hours, making it one of the fastest-selling software defined radio products. It has also already reached more than 75% of its funding target.

The original 2016 LimeSDR campaign raised over $1.25 million and had the backing of over 5,000 developers, including BT/EE.

Ubuntu store and price make wireless design accessible to all

The price of LimeSDR Mini has been set to make it affordable for virtually anyone to develop applications using a cutting edge hardware.

To simplify the process further, Lime has partnered with Ubuntu, launching an app store for LimeSDR systems. Using these, developers can download apps and get a mobile, IoT or other wireless network running in minutes.

Lime hopes that by simplifying wireless system development and cutting the cost it can attract a new generation of talented minds to wireless system design, and with it speed innovation.

Ubuntu has stated ???over 3,600 developers are currently involved in efforts to create apps??? for LimeSDR.???

Mobile network backing

Lime’s previous LimeSDR campaign received over 5,000 backers – from SDR hobbyists to multinational corporations. And Lime’s software defined radio platforms have received the backing of major mobile carriers, including BT/EE and Vodafone.

Given the open source nature of Lime’s radio technology, coupled with the numerous applications that can run on the platform, Lime is changing the way mobile and wireless systems are developed.

BT/EE has announced it will use the hardware to increase coverage in remote regions; and has also run hackathons to encourage innovation. Vodafone has announced it will use the hardware as part of its OPEN RAN vision.

Technical specifications and open source

The boards support virtually any type of wireless between 10 MHz and 3.5 GHz – such as UMS, LTE, SDM, LoRa, Bluetooth, RFID, Zigbee and digital broadcasting.

The platform offers the freedom of an intelligent and inherently flexible device for manipulating wireless signals. LimeSDR solutions are programmable and based on open source technologies with an extensive community of developers, offering the potential to democratise wireless communications and enable global wireless connectivity.

To register for details of the new campaign, or receive technical specifications, please visit the Crowd Supply LimeSDR Mini page.

Rob Ashwell
PR Consultant
Publitek 18 Brock Street, Bath, BA1 2LW, UK
M: +44 7800 515001
Twitter | LinkedIn
Technical Content Marketing ?? PR ?? Digital

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

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