What about an RX-only variant of the 'mini?

1

So, an RX-only variant of the 'mini would be useful for building budget-friendly radio astronomy systems for highschools. I’m thinking just a simple manufacturing variant that has the TX-side components depopulated (matching network components, and the TX connector), to shave the BOM costs a bit.

Just an idea. Don’t know how feasible.

Combine this with Soapy/Gr-osmosr support for being able to set up external clock synchronization, and this would be very attractive for certain types of widely-deployable small-scale radio astronomy projects.

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Interesting thought. Not sure how much it would save, given you still have the USB 3.0 controller, FPGA, LMS7002M and TCXO, which is where the bulk of the cost is. I suspect that all we’d save on is an SMA connector and some Tx matching networks. Worth asking the question though and will discuss with colleagues.