# LimeSDR dimensions and case

**URL:** <https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298>\
**Category:** LimeSDR\
**Created:** [29 April 2016 14:38 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298 "2016-04-29T14:38:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mikos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mikos](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/mikos)\
**Post date:** [29 April 2016 14:38 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/1 "2016-04-29T14:38:36Z")

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Hello,  
please what are dimensions between bolt holes and what is bolt hole diameter? Is form factor of LimeSDR same as HackRF, BladeRF, Raspberry Pi or some other popular board?

I am asking mainly because I want to create my own case (probably for both LimeSDR and Raspberry Pi 3 to fit together). Or will you sell cases for LimeSDR separately (I have backed Early Bird edition, which is without case if I am not wrong)?

Thank you

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**Author:** ![RicardasVadoklis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@RicardasVadoklis](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/RicardasVadoklis)\
**Post date:** [30 April 2016 13:13 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/2 "2016-04-30T13:13:56Z")

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Hi @mikos you can get exact board dimension from the board CAD files. You can find the in this [[link](https://github.com/myriadrf/LimeSDR-USB/tree/master/hardware/plug/1v2)] .

The early bird comes without the case, you are right… I’m not sure if we sell cases seperatly yet, please follow LimeSDR site for updates.

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**Author:** ![mzs](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/mzs/32/2678_2.png) [@mzs](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/mzs)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2016 13:26 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/3 "2016-05-02T13:26:45Z")

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## Short answer

```
board version : v1.2 
board size : 100 mm x 60 mm
board thickness : 1.6 mm +/- 10 %

Four 3mm diameter holes were drilled
 one hole at 3.85 mm, 3.85 mm
 one hole at 96.15 mm, 3.85 mm
 one hole at 96.15 mm, 56.15 mm
 one hole at 3.85 mm, 56.15 mm

```

If the board version changes before they ship, the above may change.

It is a shame that it is not one of the Sick of Beige standard PCB sizes commonly used in open hardware projects.  
[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick\_of\_Beige\_compatible\_cases](http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick_of_Beige_compatible_cases)  
[http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick\_of\_Beige\_standard\_PCB\_sizes\_v1.0](http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick_of_Beige_standard_PCB_sizes_v1.0)

## Long answer (where the short answer came from)

> <https://github.com/myriadrf/LimeSDR-USB/blob/master/hardware/plug/1v2/Project%20Outputs%20for%20LimeSDR_1v2/LimeSDR_1v2_readme_r0.txt>

```
board size : 100 mm x 60 mm
board thickness : 1.6 mm +/- 10 %
number of layers : 12 (10 inner)

Drill files
	- LimeSDR_1v2.DRR -> Drill report detailing the tool assignments, hole sizes, hole count and tool travel. 

```

> <https://github.com/myriadrf/LimeSDR-USB/blob/master/hardware/plug/1v2/Project%20Outputs%20for%20LimeSDR_1v2/NC%20Drill/LimeSDR_1v2.DRR>

```
Tool Hole Size Hole Tolerance Hole Type Hole Count Plated Tool Travel
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T8 3mm (118mil) Round 4 PTH 236.90mm (9.33inch)

```

> <https://github.com/myriadrf/LimeSDR-USB/blob/master/hardware/plug/1v2/Project%20Outputs%20for%20LimeSDR_1v2/NC%20Drill/LimeSDR_1v2-RoundHoles.TXT>

  

> **[Excellon format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellon_format)**
>
> The Excellon format is widely used to drive CNC drilling and routing machines in printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. It is a variant of the EIA RS-274-C (G-code) standard.
> The name Excellon format is derived from the Excellon Automation Company, which was the market leader in PCB drilling and routing machines during the 1980s, and whose proprietary format became widely used.
> The IPC organization defined the IPC-NC-349 format as standard NC format. It is similar to the Excellon format.
> ...

  
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071030075236/http://www.excellon.com/manuals/program.htm](https://web.archive.org/web/20071030075236/http://www.excellon.com/manuals/program.htm)

```
M48 <- Beginning of a Part Program Header
;Layer_Color=9474304
;FILE_FORMAT=4:4
METRIC,LZ <- Measure Everything in Metric with leading zeros
;TYPE=PLATED
... snip ...
T8F00S00C3.0000 <- Pick Up Tool 8; Z-Axis feed rate 0mm/second; Spindle RPM 0; Tool Diameter 3.0mm
... snip ...
T08 <- Select Tool 8
X000385Y000385 <- gotox 3.85 mm and gotoy 3.85 mm drill a hole
X009615 <- gotox 96.15 mm drill a hole
Y005615 <- gotoy 56.15 mm drill a hole
X000385 <-gotox 3.85 mm drill a hole
... snip ...
```

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**Author:** ![mikos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mikos](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/mikos)\
**Post date:** [2 May 2016 15:30 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/4 "2016-05-02T15:30:25Z")

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Thank you very much!

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**Author:** ![ricsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@ricsi](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ricsi)\
**Post date:** [6 September 2016 18:00 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/5 "2016-09-06T18:00:54Z")

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“probably for both LimeSDR and Raspberry Pi 3 to fit together”

The lack of USB3 will be a big issue there,  
Maybe you want to use one of the odroids with a USB3 port.

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**Author:** ![Kc7noa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/kc7noa/32/144_2.png) [@Kc7noa](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/Kc7noa)\
**Post date:** [6 September 2016 18:43 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/6 "2016-09-06T18:43:09Z")

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Even the Odroid-C2 does not have USB3 … On the Odroid-C2 the OTG USB is still usb2 …  
There are just a few Odroids that have USB3 available

Ill live with the lower USB throughput …

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**Author:** ![ricsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@ricsi](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/ricsi)\
**Post date:** [6 September 2016 23:15 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/7 "2016-09-06T23:15:43Z")

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I was not writing about c2, but about the more expensive ones with usb3. I am not quit sure how far you will get with USB2.

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**Author:** ![Kc7noa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/kc7noa/32/144_2.png) [@Kc7noa](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/Kc7noa)\
**Post date:** [19 March 2017 03:36 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/8 "2017-03-19T03:36:49Z")

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> [@ricsi](#):
>
> “probably for both LimeSDR and Raspberry Pi 3 to fit together”
> 
> The lack of USB3 will be a big issue there,Maybe you want to use one of the odroids with a USB3 port.

Well … as an update … i can see up to 3mhz of spectrum with the Odroid-C2. About 1Mhz spectrum with an Odroid-X2 that is also using a DisplayLink USB 7" display .

So it does work … you will not see the whole 60mhz spectrum … i have not tried too hard yet …

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kc7noa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/kc7noa/32/144_2.png) [@Kc7noa](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/Kc7noa)\
**Post date:** [19 March 2017 03:45 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/9 "2017-03-19T03:45:42Z")

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Im guessing that the bolt/screw holes are 3mm …

What are people using for stand off’s? copper, aluminium … plastic ?

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**Author:** ![9a4db](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/9a4db/32/2675_2.png) [@9a4db](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/9a4db)\
**Post date:** [19 March 2017 07:10 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/10 "2017-03-19T07:10:39Z")

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[![](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/uploads/myriadrf/optimized/1X/e0c57a8d58f3d6b59c3ba96e474dd8462541c080_1_690x388.jpg) ](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/uploads/myriadrf/optimized/1X/e0c57a8d58f3d6b59c3ba96e474dd8462541c080_1_690x388.jpg)  
brass

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kc7noa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/kc7noa/32/144_2.png) [@Kc7noa](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/Kc7noa)\
**Post date:** [19 March 2017 14:35 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/11 "2017-03-19T14:35:21Z")

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I see that your screw heads are abit large … and you used insulators …

Do you have the same interference on the bottom of the board with the stand off nuts?

I wonder if soldering copper strips along the edge/corner would be a good alternative …

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![9a4db](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/discourse.myriadrf.org/9a4db/32/2675_2.png) [@9a4db](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/9a4db)\
**Post date:** [19 March 2017 16:03 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/12 "2017-03-19T16:03:43Z")

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Yes, you notice insulators on top, but bellow is pure brass and some silicone  
(can be spotted bellow on Al case too. Insulators are used to be on the safe  
side regarding screws and possible crashing of PCB with pressure …

Not soldering, but copper rail along both sides can be good option…

73  
Dj

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**Author:** ![Glen\_Overby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@Glen\_Overby](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/u/Glen_Overby)\
**Post date:** [3 July 2017 01:13 UTC](https://discourse.myriadrf.org/t/limesdr-dimensions-and-case/298/13 "2017-07-03T01:13:00Z")

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I’ve mounted my LimeSDR in a case. I bought a Hammond 1455K1602 (Digi-Key HM978-ND). I selected a case that was longer than the board so I could add an internal preamp / amp at a later time. The case bottom slides off, so I could mount the board directly to the bottom of the case. Given the need for a heat sink, I might mount it to the top of the case.

Initially, I’ve mounted the board isolated from the case, other than the RF inputs and USB connector. The SoftRock SDRs are quite prone to ground loops, so they’re typically mounted isolated.

 ![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/myriadrf/original/2X/8/8f3629786eb8002e0d9460ccb09481d1176e7e10.jpg)

My end plates aren’t nearly as nice as the Luftek ones.

Glen