The Advanced Mesh Network Controller (AMNC) is a hardware module designed specifically as a platform for Software Defined Radios (SDR), and is the engine that powers the OFDM-AB data mode and IP400 mesh networking. The AMNC will be in production in Q4, 2026.
The AMNC is fully programmable and field upgradeable. It utilizes a high end ST microcontroller that runs at 200MHz, an FPGA that can be used as a co-processor, and has a codec that is similar to those used in PC sound cards, which has two independent radio ports. Development tools for the processor and FPGA are freely available from the manufacturer.
It can be used in a standalone mode where it is connected to a PC with a USB ‘C’ serial connection, or as a Pi HAT (Hardware attached on Top), using the same serial connection as well as an additional higher speed SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) connection.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | ST Microelectronics STMF722, 200 MHz |
| FPGA | Efinix Trion T20, 200MHz with internal flash |
| Codec | TI Codec, 2 channel 96dB snr, 16-24 bits |
| USB | Cypress CP2102, 115200 bps |
| Pi Interface | Serial port or SPI at 2mb/s |
| Debug | Debug and JTAG port for development |
| Expansion | Access to FPGA and a dedicated SPI port |
| Clock generation | Si5351 programmable PLL, 1ppm accuracy |
| LED’s | Heartbeat, green/red bi-colour for status |
| Additional Storage | EEPROMs for setup information and HAT data |
| Radio ports | Dual ports with buffered PTT and COR sense |
| Radio connector | DB-15 |
| Radio LED’s | Carrier on and PTT active |
| Current consumption | Less than 150mA |
Optional Extras
For development, a programming module connects to the debug connector, which implements two separate USB connections, one to an FT2232 module to program the FPGA, and a second to an ST-LINK module for downloading, flashing and debugging code, which also implements a second UART that can be used by the firmware for debugging purposes.

A GPS receiver, in development, can also be mounted on the board, using the same debug connector. The receiver can utilize an internal or external antenna.


