OBX-160 Specifications

OBX-160 Specifications

These specifications apply to the OBX-160 when installed within the USRP X300 or USRP X310 software-defined radio unless otherwise noted.

Revision History

Version Date changed Description
379234A-01 September 2025 Initial release.

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Definitions

Warranted Specifications describe the performance of a model under stated operating conditions and are covered by the model warranty.

Characteristics describe values that are relevant to the use of the model under stated operating conditions but are not covered by the model warranty.

  • Typical—describes the performance met by a majority of models.
  • Nominal—describes an attribute that is based on design, conformance testing, or supplemental testing.
  • Measured—describes the measured performance of a representative model.

    • Values are Measured unless otherwise noted.

    Conditions

    Specifications are valid at 25 °C ambient temperature unless otherwise noted.

    Specifications were collected using the USRP X310.

    OBX-160 Pinout

    The OBX-160 is an internal daughterboard for the USRP X300 and USRP X310 software-defined radios.

    Each USRP X300 or USRP X310 can accommodate two OBX-160 daughterboards. A single OBX-160 provides connectivity for a single group, either the RF A group or the RF B group, on the USRP X300 or USRP X310 front panel.

    Table 1. OBX-160 Connectors
    Connector Connector Type Description
    TX/RX SMA (f), 50 Ω Single-ended input or output terminal for the RF signal

    Provides the connection for the USRP X300 or USRP X310 port of the same name with a bulkhead SMA cable that is included with the USRP X300 or USRP X310.
    RX2 SMA (f), 50 Ω Single-ended input terminal for the RF signal

    Provides the connection for the USRP X300 or USRP X310 port of the same name with a bulkhead SMA cable that is included with the USRP X300 or USRP X310.

    Physical Characteristics

    Table 2. Physical Characteristics
    Dimensions

    27.7 cm × 21.8 cm × 3.9 cm

    (10.9 in. × 8.6 in. × 1.5 in.)

    (USRP X300 or USRP X310 chassis with 2× OBX-160 installed)

    For more information, visit ni.com/dimensions and search by module number.
    Weight 2.24 kg (4.94 lbs) (USRP X300 or USRP X310 chassis with 2× OBX-160 installed)

    RF Transmitter Specifications

    Number of channels 1
    Frequency range 10 MHz to 8.4 GHz
    Frequency step[1]1 Frequency accuracy decreases when the center frequency is below 6 GHz. <2 kHz
    Gain range[2]2 The output power resulting from the gain setting varies over the frequency band and among devices. 0 dB to 31.5 dB
    Gain step 0.5 dB
    Frequency accuracy[3]3 Frequency accuracy is dependent on the configuration of the USRP X300 series motherboard. An external reference source can also be used to provide a more precise frequency reference clock and to achieve better frequency accuracy. 2.5 ppm
    Maximum instantaneous real-time bandwidth 160 MHz
    Maximum I/Q sample rate 200 MSa/s
    DAC resolution 16 bits
    Residual sideband image[4]4 Measured with a 10 MHz tone offset and UHD TX IQ balance corrections applied. <-33 dBc
    Table 3. Maximum Output Power, Typical
    Frequency Maximum Output Power
    10 MHz to <500 MHz 17.5 dBm to 19 dBm
    500 MHz to <2.5 GHz >20 dBm
    2.5 GHz to <4.5 GHz 18 dBm to 20 dBm
    4.5 GHz to <6 GHz 16 dBm to 18 dBm
    6 GHz to <7 GHz 13.5 dBm to 16 dBm
    7 GHz to 8.4 GHz 9.5 dBm to 13.5 dBm
    Table 4. TX Output Third-Order Intercept Point (OIP3), 31.5 dB Gain, Measured
    Frequency Output Third-Order Intercept Point (OIP3)
    <60 MHz >24 dBm
    60 MHz to <500 MHz >30 dBm
    500 MHz to <2 GHz 28 dBm to 30 dBm
    2 GHz to 4.5 GHz 26 dBm to 28 dBm
    >4.5 GHz to 6.5 GHz 28 dBm to 32 dBm
    >6.5 GHz to 8.4 GHz 25 dBm to 28 dBm
    Figure 1. TX EVM Bathtub Curves: 5G NR, UL, FDD, SISO, 100 MHz Bandwidth, 30 kHz SCS, 256 QAM, UHD Corrections Applied, Measured
    Figure 2. TX EVM Bathtub Curves: WLAN 802.11ax, 160 MHz Bandwidth, MSC 11, 1024 QAM, UHD Corrections Applied, Measured
    Figure 3. TX Maximum Output Power
    Figure 4. TX Phase Noise, Measured

    Measurement conditions: Measured using the internal reference clock of the USRP X310.

    RF Receiver Specifications

    Number of channels 1
    Frequency range 10 MHz to 8.4 GHz
    Frequency step[5]5 Frequency accuracy decreases when the center frequency is below 6 GHz. <2 kHz
    Analog gain range[6]6 The received signal amplitude resulting from the gain setting varies over the frequency band and among devices. 0 dB to 31.5 dB
    Gain step 0.5 dB
    Frequency accuracy[7]7 Frequency accuracy is dependent on the configuration of the USRP X300 series motherboard. An external reference source can also be used to provide a more precise frequency reference clock and to achieve better frequency accuracy. 2.5 ppm
    Maximum instantaneous real-time bandwidth 160 MHz[8]8 For center frequencies from 10 MHz to 500 MHz, bandwidth is reduced to 84 MHz.
    Maximum I/Q sample rate 200 MSa/s
    ADC resolution 14 bits
    Table 5. RX Input Third-Order Intercept Point (IIP3), 0 dB Gain, Measured
    Frequency Input Third-Order Intercept Point (IIP3)
    <60 MHz 0.5 dBm to 8 dBm
    60 MHz to <600 MHz 8 dBm to 12 dBm
    600 MHz to <1.5 GHz 12 dBm to 19.5 dBm
    1.5 GHz to 8.4 GHz 9.5 dBm to 14 dBm
    Table 6. RX Noise Figure, 31.5 dB Gain, Measured
    Frequency Noise Figure
    <2 GHz <4 dB
    2 GHz to <5.5 GHz <6 dB
    5.5 GHz to <7.5 GHz <10 dB
    7.5 GHz to 8.4 GHz <14 dB
    Figure 5. RX Frequency Response, 15 dB Gain, -45 dBm Input Power, Measured

    Relative gain (dB) is equal to the input power (dBm) subtracted from the measured response (dBFS).

    Figure 6. RX EVM Bathtub Curves: 5G NR, UL, FDD, SISO, 100 MHz Bandwidth, 30 kHz SCS, 256 QAM, UHD Corrections Applied, Measured
    Figure 7. RX EVM Bathtub Curves: WLAN 802.11ax, 160 MHz Bandwidth, MSC 11, 1024 QAM, UHD Corrections Applied, Measured
    Figure 8. RX Noise Figure, 31.5 dB Gain, Measured
    Figure 9. Input Power for 0 dBFS, 31.5 dB Gain, Measured

    Power Requirements

    Table 7. Power Specifications
    Voltage rating 12 V DC
    Power rating 50 W to 60 W (USRP X310 with 2× OBX-160[9]9 Power varies based on the bitfile and functionality utilized on the device.)

    Safety Voltages

    Table 8. Rated Voltages
    TX/RX Maximum input power: -15 dBm
    RX2 Maximum input power: -15 dBm

    Environmental Guidelines

    Notice Failure to follow the mounting instructions in the product documentation can cause temperature derating.
    Notice This product is intended for use in indoor applications only.

    Environmental Characteristics

    Table 9. Temperature
    Operating0 °C to 40 °C
    Table 10. Humidity
    Operating10% RH to 90% RH, noncondensing
    Table 11. Pollution Degree
    Pollution degree2
    Table 12. Maximum Altitude
    Maximum altitude2,000 m (800 mbar) at 25 °C ambient

    1 Frequency accuracy decreases when the center frequency is below 6 GHz.

    2 The output power resulting from the gain setting varies over the frequency band and among devices.

    3 Frequency accuracy is dependent on the configuration of the USRP X300 series motherboard. An external reference source can also be used to provide a more precise frequency reference clock and to achieve better frequency accuracy.

    4 Measured with a 10 MHz tone offset and UHD TX IQ balance corrections applied.

    5 Frequency accuracy decreases when the center frequency is below 6 GHz.

    6 The received signal amplitude resulting from the gain setting varies over the frequency band and among devices.

    7 Frequency accuracy is dependent on the configuration of the USRP X300 series motherboard. An external reference source can also be used to provide a more precise frequency reference clock and to achieve better frequency accuracy.

    8 For center frequencies from 10 MHz to 500 MHz, bandwidth is reduced to 84 MHz.

    9 Power varies based on the bitfile and functionality utilized on the device.