Dragon Labs Launches the CR-8 Eight-Channel Coherent SDR

Inexpensive software-defined radios (SDRs) have opened up a world of possibilities for anyone interested in exploring the RF spectrum. But a single receiver can only get you so far. Eventually, you’ll want to experiment with advanced techniques like direction finding or beamforming. To do that, you’ll need a high-end coherent SDR capable of keeping multiple receivers perfectly synchronized. Unfortunately, this sort of equipment is typically out of the price range of a hobbyist. Dragon Labs hopes to change that with the CR-8, an eight-channel coherent SDR that packs professional-grade capabilities into an accessible and affordable package.

The CR-8 covers frequencies from 25 MHz to 1.75 GHz and provides eight independent receiver channels, each capable of capturing up to 8 MHz of bandwidth with 12-bit sample depth. That gives it more channels, more bandwidth, and greater dynamic range than the well-known KrakenSDR, making it suitable for a wider range of RF experiments and applications.

All eight receivers can operate as a single coherent array, allowing them to maintain precise phase relationships for advanced signal processing. Alternatively, users can divide the channels into multiple coherent groups tuned to different frequencies, or even run every receiver independently while keeping them synchronized in time. That allows for monitoring multiple portions of the spectrum simultaneously without sacrificing timing accuracy.

Those synchronized receivers enable applications that are difficult or impossible with a conventional SDR. Direction-finding systems can estimate the arrival angle of radio signals using multiple antennas, making it possible to locate unknown transmitters. Beamforming uses software to electronically steer an antenna array toward a desired signal without physically moving the antennas. The CR-8 also offers antenna diversity by combining signals from multiple antennas to improve signal-to-noise ratio and reduce fading in difficult reception environments.

Dragon Labs reports phase errors of less than one degree at 1.75 GHz and timing errors below 100 picoseconds. The receiver also includes a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, external 10 MHz reference clock input, and a 1-PPS input for synchronization with GPS-disciplined oscillators. Data is transferred over USB 3.0, and an optional CNC-machined aluminum enclosure improves cooling, channel isolation, and physical protection.

The CR-8 already includes native support in SDR++, with additional native integration planned for SatDump and GNU Radio. A C-language API is also provided for developers who want direct access to synchronized sample streams, while compatibility with other SDR software is available through SoapySDR.

The host-side software, drivers, and development tools will be released under open source licenses, while the firmware and PCB design files will remain closed due to component NDAs and concerns over hardware cloning. However, the company plans to publish complete schematics and a service manual to support troubleshooting, repair, and long-term maintenance.

The project will be launching soon on Crowd Supply, but the release date and price have not yet been announced. Sign up for notifications to stay updated.