1 Overview
Base-station physical layer covering the 3GPP Release 17 downlink and uplink channel set. Delivered as a set of connected sub-cores — resource mapping, OFDM modulation, channel estimation, MIMO detection and the control channels — so a radio-unit design can take the whole chain or only the parts not already implemented in the accompanying SoC.
2 Features
- PDSCH, PDCCH, PBCH, CSI-RS, SSB on the downlink
- PUSCH, PUCCH formats 0–4, PRACH and SRS on the uplink
- Numerologies μ = 0–3, 15 to 120 kHz subcarrier spacing
- Up to 4×4 single-user MIMO, MMSE-IRC detection
- Integrated LDPC coding via ALF-RF-LDPC-ENC and ALF-RF-LDPC-DEC
- FAPI-style control interface for the L2/L3 stack
3 Applications
- Satellite gateways, VSAT terminals and on-board processors
- Cellular base stations and private network radios
- Software-defined and tactical radios
- Telemetry, ranging and instrumentation links
4 Specifications
Figures below are for a representative configuration. Resource, latency and throughput scale with the build-time parameters; the released datasheet gives each as a closed-form function of those parameters so you can compute the number for your own configuration.
| Standards | 3GPP TS 38.211 / 212 / 213 / 214, Release 17 |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Up to 100 MHz per CC (FR1), 400 MHz (FR2) |
| Carriers | Up to 4 component carriers per instance |
| Duplex | TDD and FDD |
| Antenna ports | Up to 8 TX / 8 RX |
| Fronthaul | 7.2x split at the antenna interface, transport supplied externally |
| Typical FPGA | 310 kLUT, 1 840 DSP @ 368.64 MHz |
| Product family | Wireless & Satellite Modems |
| Availability | Production |
5 Interfaces and control
Interface details are configuration-dependent and are given in the released datasheet.
The register map is delivered as an IP-XACT description alongside a C header and a UVM register abstraction layer, all generated together. Every field carries its access policy, reset value and any side effect in the generated documentation.
6 Configuration
The core is configured through a single package file of build-time parameters and an elaboration-time consistency check that fails the build — rather than failing in simulation — when a parameter combination is not supported. There is no source fork per configuration, so you stay on the mainline release and keep receiving maintenance updates.
Re-parameterisation within the documented range is covered by your licence at no additional cost. If you need a parameter outside the documented range, that is a design services conversation rather than a new licence.
7 Verification
ALF-RF-NR-PHY is signed off against the release criteria described on the quality page: bit-exact agreement with the reference model across the regression suite, 100 % statement, branch and toggle coverage with every exclusion reviewed, formal proof of deadlock freedom and reset correctness on the control logic, and timing closure with positive slack on every supported target from the delivered constraints.
The verification environment used for that sign-off is part of the deliverable set. You can re-run it against your own configuration on your own farm.
8 Deliverables
| VHDL source | Synthesisable VHDL-2008, readable and commented, lint-clean |
|---|---|
| Closed-box alternative | Encrypted netlist or protected model, where source is not licensed |
| Reference model | Bit-accurate C++ (Python bindings) or MATLAB, with stimulus scripts |
| Verification | UVM testbench, functional coverage model, interface assertions |
| Test vectors | Directed and constrained-random sets with expected outputs |
| Synthesis | Timing constraints, build scripts and reference reports per target |
| Example design | Buildable project instantiating the core in a system context |
| Documentation | Datasheet, integration guide, register map, interface timing |
| Software | Bare-metal C driver and Linux reference driver, where applicable |
9 Licensing and ordering
ALF-RF-NR-PHY is available under single-project, multi-project, evaluation and academic licences. All models are one-time fees with no per-unit royalty. See licensing for the full terms, or request a quotation quoting this part number.
10 Document revision history
| Revision | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | July 2026 | Initial preliminary draft |