Emerson Launches NI USRP X420 Software-Defined Radio Platform
Time:2026-04-21 Browse: 1
Emerson Electric Co has introduced the NI USRP X420 software-defined radio (SDR) platform, expanding its Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) product family. The new system is designed for advanced RF experimentation and prototyping, targeting applications such as radar development, satellite communications, and emerging 6G research.
A High-Frequency Platform for Frontier Research
The NI USRP X420 extends the frequency coverage of Emerson’s software-defined radio lineup up to 20 GHz, enabling access to higher spectrum bands including FR3, Ku-band, and X-band. These frequency ranges are becoming increasingly important for applications such as multi-channel radar systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC).
The platform combines wide frequency coverage, high instantaneous bandwidth, and a phase-coherent multi-channel architecture. This makes it suitable for research laboratories, aerospace and defense applications, and wireless communications research that require complex RF system development and validation.
Flexible Prototyping for Next-Generation Wireless Systems
For engineers working on next-generation wireless technologies, flexible high-frequency test platforms are becoming essential. The X420 allows rapid prototyping of signal processing algorithms and RF configurations without requiring full hardware redesign, significantly accelerating development cycles.
Its large instantaneous bandwidth enables the capture and generation of wideband RF signals, supporting applications such as spectrum monitoring, signal recording and playback analysis, and ISAC research.
Phase-Coherent Architecture for Radar and Beamforming
A key feature of the X420 is its shared local oscillator (LO) architecture across multiple channels, enabling phase-coherent operation. This capability is critical for advanced technologies such as beamforming, MIMO radar, and distributed sensing networks.
In traditional multi-channel RF systems, synchronization between devices can be complex. By integrating phase coherence directly into the SDR platform, the X420 reduces the need for external synchronization hardware and simplifies overall system design.
Industry Perspective
According to Emerson NI RF and Wireless Business Product Marketing Manager Sarah LaSelva, researchers require tools that combine flexibility and performance to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies such as 6G and advanced radar systems. She noted that the X420 delivers high-frequency spectrum access and multi-channel coherence within a software-defined platform, helping accelerate innovation.
National Instruments, now part of Emerson, positions the USRP X420 as its highest-performance RF platform to date. It is aimed at academic researchers, national laboratories, and commercial developers exploring advanced wireless technologies.
Significance
As interest in high-frequency wireless systems continues to grow, tools capable of supporting experimentation in radar, satellite links, and future 6G spectrum bands are becoming increasingly important. The NI USRP X420 is designed to play a key role in early-stage development and validation of these next-generation communication technologies.
