Characterisation of RFSoC Gen 3 data converters for satellite RF payloads

This research paper presents a meticulous characterization of the integrated RF data converters—specifically, the RF-ADC and RF-DAC cores—in the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC XCZU48DR device. The study was conducted using the ZCU208 evaluation board and adhered to IEEE standards for empirical analysis. The motivation for this research stems from the evolving requirements in satellite communications and microwave remote sensing, which necessitate a transition from traditional payload architectures to more flexible digital RF chains and Software-Defined Radios (SDRs). The paper provides empirical data on key performance metrics such as Effective Number of Bits (ENOB), Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), and Spur-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) across a range of frequencies. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these data converters, thereby serving as a resource for future research and practical applications in advanced RF systems.