Zynq RF Board Size Reduction
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I am looking for an experienced RF hardware designer to consolidate and miniaturize an existing RF system based on a MYIR Zynq-7020 board.
The current setup includes:
1. MYIR Zynq-7020 board (fixed, no redesign)
2. Adapter board
3. Two separate RF transmitter boards
The goal is to integrate the two RF boards and the Adapter board into a single compact adapter board, while keeping the existing electrical interfaces to the MYIR board unchanged and minimizing or avoiding FPGA/firmware changes as much as possible.
Scope of Work (High Level)
- Integrate two RF transmit chains on one board
- Use a shared reference oscillator and PLL for both RF paths
- Replace discrete RF filters with compact off-the-shelf RF filters
- Replace legacy power regulators with modern, small LDOs
- Add RF routing options:
- Combiner for both RF outputs
- Splitter to provide up to three RF outputs
- Focus on size reduction and clean, manufacturable design
Key Constraints
- MYIR Zynq-7020 board and its connectors remain unchanged
- Signal interfaces to the Zynq better stay compatible with the existing design
- FPGA and software changes should be minimal or not required
- PCB manufacturing: JLCPCB
- BOM should use LCSC part numbers where possible
Deliverables
- Schematics
- PCB layout (RF-aware)
- BOM compatible with JLCPCB / LCSC
- Manufacturing-ready design files
Required Experience
- RF board design experience
- PCB layout for RF and high-speed signals
- Clocking, PLLs, DACs, and RF signal chains
- Practical understanding of manufacturing constraints
Notes
- Full technical details will be shared after selecting the contractor and signing an NDA
- Potential for follow-up work and long-term collaboration
Screening Questions
RF Board Experience
Please describe a previous project where you designed or redesigned an RF board operating above 1 GHz.
What was your role (schematic, layout, bring-up)?
Clocking & PLL Architecture
Have you worked with shared reference clocks or shared PLLs for multiple RF paths?
Briefly describe how you approached clock distribution and phase noise considerations.
RF PCB Layout
What are the most important layout practices you follow for RF and high-speed mixed-signal boards?
Design for Minimal System Changes
This project requires keeping existing interfaces to a Zynq-7020 board and minimizing FPGA changes.
Have you worked on hardware redesigns where backward compatibility was critical? Please give an example.
Manufacturing Experience
Have you designed boards for manufacturing at JLCPCB (or similar low-cost fabs)?
Are you familiar with using LCSC parts for BOM creation?
Filters and Power Design
Do you have experience replacing discrete RF filters with off-the-shelf RF filter components, and legacy regulators with modern LDOs?
End-to-End Responsibility
Are you comfortable taking responsibility for both schematic and PCB layout, delivering manufacturing-ready files?
Availability & Communication
What is your typical availability per week, and how do you usually communicate during hardware projects?
I will share the existing design package once we start
The current setup includes:
1. MYIR Zynq-7020 board (fixed, no redesign)
2. Adapter board
3. Two separate RF transmitter boards
The goal is to integrate the two RF boards and the Adapter board into a single compact adapter board, while keeping the existing electrical interfaces to the MYIR board unchanged and minimizing or avoiding FPGA/firmware changes as much as possible.
Scope of Work (High Level)
- Integrate two RF transmit chains on one board
- Use a shared reference oscillator and PLL for both RF paths
- Replace discrete RF filters with compact off-the-shelf RF filters
- Replace legacy power regulators with modern, small LDOs
- Add RF routing options:
- Combiner for both RF outputs
- Splitter to provide up to three RF outputs
- Focus on size reduction and clean, manufacturable design
Key Constraints
- MYIR Zynq-7020 board and its connectors remain unchanged
- Signal interfaces to the Zynq better stay compatible with the existing design
- FPGA and software changes should be minimal or not required
- PCB manufacturing: JLCPCB
- BOM should use LCSC part numbers where possible
Deliverables
- Schematics
- PCB layout (RF-aware)
- BOM compatible with JLCPCB / LCSC
- Manufacturing-ready design files
Required Experience
- RF board design experience
- PCB layout for RF and high-speed signals
- Clocking, PLLs, DACs, and RF signal chains
- Practical understanding of manufacturing constraints
Notes
- Full technical details will be shared after selecting the contractor and signing an NDA
- Potential for follow-up work and long-term collaboration
Screening Questions
RF Board Experience
Please describe a previous project where you designed or redesigned an RF board operating above 1 GHz.
What was your role (schematic, layout, bring-up)?
Clocking & PLL Architecture
Have you worked with shared reference clocks or shared PLLs for multiple RF paths?
Briefly describe how you approached clock distribution and phase noise considerations.
RF PCB Layout
What are the most important layout practices you follow for RF and high-speed mixed-signal boards?
Design for Minimal System Changes
This project requires keeping existing interfaces to a Zynq-7020 board and minimizing FPGA changes.
Have you worked on hardware redesigns where backward compatibility was critical? Please give an example.
Manufacturing Experience
Have you designed boards for manufacturing at JLCPCB (or similar low-cost fabs)?
Are you familiar with using LCSC parts for BOM creation?
Filters and Power Design
Do you have experience replacing discrete RF filters with off-the-shelf RF filter components, and legacy regulators with modern LDOs?
End-to-End Responsibility
Are you comfortable taking responsibility for both schematic and PCB layout, delivering manufacturing-ready files?
Availability & Communication
What is your typical availability per week, and how do you usually communicate during hardware projects?
I will share the existing design package once we start