NavstarGPS.US L1IFCape | Beaglev-Fire SDR Cape
An open-hardware L1 interface for BeagleV-Fire, currently in active development
An open-hardware L1 interface for BeagleV-Fire, currently in active development
Turn an off-the-shelf BeagleV-Fire into an autonomous, stand-alone software-defined receiver or field-logging unit without needing a host computer, laptop, or external USB cabling.
This project (hardware and software) is licensed under CERN-OHL-S and GPLv3 for open-source, academic, and personal use. Commercial licensing is available. If you wish to integrate this receiver into a closed-source, proprietary, or commercial product without the reciprocal open-source obligations, please email contact@navstargps.us to purchase a commercial license.
L1IFCape is a development project from NavStarGPS.US, a product line of Gilbertson Precision Solutions. The Cape is designed to connect an L1 RF front end directly to the BeagleV-Fire processor headers, eliminating the need for an external USB connection between the RF front end and processor.
The result is a compact platform for embedded signal processing, software-defined radio development, and low-power positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) research.
Why L1IFCape?
Direct Processor Connection: The L1IFCape connects directly to the BeagleV-Fire headers, reducing the need for external USB peripherals and simplifying the RF-to-processor signal path.
Designed for Embedded SDR: The combination of RF hardware, FPGA resources, RISC-V processing, and embedded Linux creates a platform for experimenting with software-defined receivers and digital signal processing.
Open Hardware: L1IFCape is being developed with an open-hardware approach, providing engineers and researchers greater visibility into the design and system architecture.
Key Features
Native BeagleV-Fire Integration: Direct mating with BeagleBone expansion headers--no USB host controllers, bulky cables, or external interface adapters required.
Low-Latency Direct Sampling: Feed raw digital IF (I&Q) streams straight into the BeagleV-Fire's MPFS025T FPGA fabric.
Self-Contained Edge SDR: Execute acquisition, tracking, and telemetry decode directly on-device using embedded Linux and RiscV-optimized DSP pipelines.
Active & Passive Antenna Support: Onboard RF input matching with active bias power or passive connection.
Fully Documented Open Hardware: Complete pin mappings, Device Tree Overlays, and schematic files provided.
Potential Applications
Embedded signal processing
Software-defined radio (SDR) development
Autonomous signal monitoring
Remote anti-jamming sensing
Low-power PNT research
FPGA and DSP development
RISC-V embedded systems
GNSS receiver experimentation
Development Status
L1IFCape is currently in active development and is not yet available as a production product.
Additional technical information, documentation, and availability will be provided as development progresses.
L1IFCape is a NavStarGPS.US development project from Gilbertson Precision Solutions.