The Icom IC-7610 SDR HF/6m Transceiver

by Adam Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ

The IC-7610. Photo courtesy Icom Inc. Click for larger image.

IC-7610 rear panel. Photo courtesy Icom Inc.

IC-7610 screen view (courtesy hamlife.jp)

IC-7610 at Icom's Osaka showroom (courtesy Icom Inc.)

Simplified block diagram of IC-7610 receiver (courtesy Icom Inc.)

RMDR comparison chart (courtesy Icom Inc.)

Transmitter phase noise comparison chart (courtesy Icom Inc.)

DIGI-SEL preselector module (courtesy Icom Inc.) Click for larger image.

Typical DIGI-SEL Amplitude/Frequency Curve. Click for description.

BPF & Digi-Sel passband, receiving on 7.22MHz. Courtesy Icom Inc.

Passband between antenna & Digi-Sel (at Digi-Sel output). Courtesy Icom Inc.

IC-7610 interior top view (courtesy Icom Inc.) Click for larger image.

Top left: speaker box. Top centre: PA harmonic filters. Bottom left: PA. Right: Relay-chain ATU.

IC-7610 interior bottom view (courtesy Icom Inc.) Click for larger image.

L: MAIN Unit (note FPGA & ADC heatsinks). RF BPF Units under MAIN Unit. R: DIGI-SEL Units (top: Main).

IC-7610 RF FPGA IC.		IC-7610 VCXO clock.

IC-7610 Salient Features

• Direct-sampling/digital up-conversion HF/6m transceiver with two independent, identical receivers

• MAIN and SUB receivers can operate independently on different bands and modes (emissions)

• SUB receiver tuning knob available by plugging RC-28 controller into front-panel USB-A port

• MAIN/SUB Tracking (simultaneous tuning) from main tuning knob (enabled by menu option)

• Each receiver front end has dedicated ADC, ADC driver/preamp, 0-45 dB X 3 dB step attenuator, BPF group and Digi-Sel tracking preselector

• Separate DAC/audio chains for MAIN and SUB receivers; binaural reception possible

• Hardware circuitry for digital pre-distortion (DPD) linearization support already built in (feedback from external amplifier via ALC port or internally for barefoot IC-7610 operation).

• Pre-distortion will be implemented via IC-7610 firmware V1.40 when IC-PW2 amplifier goes on sale.

• Powerful ALTERA® RF FPGA performs digital down/up conversion, frequency-management and signal-processing tasks

• Separate Lattice® Common FPGA performs signal-processing tasks

• Separate AF/SQL controls and EXT SP jacks for MAIN and SUB receivers

• Independent MAIN and SUB real-time FFT spectrum scope/waterfall displays with high dynamic range (100 dB)

• Separate scope RBW (resolution bandwidth) and VBW (video bandwidth) adjustments in Spectrum Scope menu

• Independent MAIN and SUB spectrum scope/waterfall displays(can be stacked L/R or MAIN above SUB)

• Dual clock displays (UTC and local time)

• Headphone left/right mix can be turned on or off

• MULTI knob for easier operation  (similar to IC-7300)

• ANT1 and ANT2 ports with switched hybrid splitter for user-selectable dual-antenna (e.g. diversity) or Dual Watch configurations

• RX ANT IN/OUT BNC break jacks switchable between MAIN and SUB receiver

• 10 MHz EXT REF I/O and Transverter I/O BNC jacks

• NTP (Network Time Protocol) server connectivity (when IC-7610 is connected to Internet)

• RF-FPGA has MAIN and SUB inputs (from ADC's) and outputs (to DAC's), and display data channel to display driver subsystem

• CW keying waveform generation & shaping in FPGA to minimise latency 

• CW RX APF function with adjustable position (f₀), width and AF gain

• Low-noise, high-performance 16-bit ADC's (Linear Technology LTC2208I); sampling rate 122.88 MHz

• Low-noise ADC driver with high gain-bandwidth product (Linear Technology LTC6409)

• High-quality 24-bit, 192 kHz stereo audio codec encodes transmit audio and decodes Main and Sub receive audio

• Digital up-conversion (DUC) exciter and 14-bit DAC (ISL5961IAZ) offer exceptionally low TX phase noise and clean transmitted signal

• New low-phase-noise clock oscillator with Crystek ultra-low-noise VCXO provides high target RMDR of 105 dB (1 kHz offset), 110 dB (2 kHz offset) and excellent transmitter phase noise performance

• Common low-noise power supply for the VCXO and FPGA helps assure ultra-low phase noise

• 100W MOSFET PA unit with fast T/R switching

• High-speed relay-type auto-ATU with emergency mode to match highly-reactive antennas

• Ethernet LAN port supports internal RS-BA1 server as in IC-7851, IC-7700 (FW V2.0 & higher), IC-7800 (FW V3.0 & higher)

• NTP client functionon LAN via Ethernet port

• LAN Output Select menu option for AF (baseband) or IF

• Multiple memory functions

• Two rear-panel USB-B ports (USB2 & USB3) for CAT control/PCM audio & I/Q baseband output (now supported in Firmware V1.20).

• 12 kHz final IF I/Q output via rear-panel USB 3.0 port (blue). Compatible with SDR software e.g. HDSDR

• HDSDR and I/Q driver package downloadable on Icom Japan Support (Firmware & Drivers) page

• Two front-panel USB-A ports for USB stick, mouse, RC-28 controller, keyboard etc.

• SD card slot for data capture, record/playback, firmware upgrade etc.

• Firmware upgrade via SD card or USB stick

• External meter and keypad jacks on rear panel

• 7" (diagonal) high-definition touch-screen display

• Screen image capture to SD card

• Scope/waterfall windows can be stacked side-by-side or MAIN above SUB

• Spectrum scope scrolling mode and per band REF LEVEL memory (Firmware V1.30)

• Multi-purpose real-time audio scope and FFT audio spectrum analyzer

• Rear-panel DVI-D port for external video display

• External display resolution selectable via menu: 800X600 or 800X480

• Large RAM reserve for future firmware expansion

• Dimensions & weight: 340 (W) X 118 (H) X 277 (D) mm, 8.5 kg

• Operating refinements:

• Mute band by pressing corresponding volume knob

• Mic DC bias can be disabled for dynamic mc

• Keyer memories can use F1-F8 on keyboard

• Can record and capture directly to USB drive or SD card

• Adjustable independent beep tones for the main and sub bands from 500-2000Hz

Spectrum scope comparison, IC-7610 vs. IC-7600:

Note: All the above information was derived from published data per the links below, and is subject to change without notice.

FCC ID: AFJ386400, granted 6 November 2017.

Industry Canada Certification: 202D-386700, granted 17 November 2017.

Links:

RF Gain Management in a Direct-Sampling SDR

Implementing a Transmit Inhibit line on the IC-7610

Testing the Icom IC-7300 and IC-7610, presented at APDXC 2018 (18 Nov. 2018)

IC-7610 Firmware, Drivers & USB I/Q Support Page

IC-7610 Instruction Manual/Guides Page

IC-7610 Firmware V1.30, released 23 April 2021.  V1.30 release notes.

USB I/Q Package for HDSDR

Information for the HDSDR Application Download

RC-28 Firmware V1.02 (corrects inter-operation issue with IC-7610)

Icom America Service Bulletin for ADC Heatsinks

My IC-7610 User Review & Test Report (including transverter port TX power output & phase noise )

ARRL IC-7610 Product Review (QST, October 2018, ARRL members only)

Rob Sherwood NC0B's IC-7610 Test Report

Rob Sherwood NC0B's IC-7610 Stew Perry Contest Report

Comparisons among Kenwood TS-990S, Icom IC-7300 and IC-7610, by Rob Sherwood NC0B

Icom Japan IC-7610 Product Page   (now includes Digital Pre-Distortion information)

Icom America IC-7610 Page

FB News (Japan): Special IC-7610 Issue 

Icom UK videos:

Introduction to the IC-7610

Overview of Icom IC-7610 SDR HF Transceiver

Tips for USB Port Settings

IC-7610 Block Diagram & Schematics

Drive Gain Discussion

IC-7610 APF Passbands

IC-7610 Product Brochures: US/Canada  Europe

SP-41 External Speaker Manual

IC-7610 Technical Report Vol. 1

IC-7610 Technical Report Vol. 2

IC-7610 Technical Report Vol. 3

RS-BA1 Ver. 2 Manuals: Preparations   Instruction Manual

RS-BA1 V2.40

Selected screenshots from a working IC-7610

IC-7610 Pre-Release Brochure

Icom UK IC-7610 Release and Pricing Announcement

Icom IC-7610 Exhibition & Advance Presentation, Tokyo, 23 Dec. 2016 (courtesy JA7CSU)

IC-7610 operation and DigiSel demos at Tokyo Akihabara Icom Festival, 16 Mar. 2017

QRZnow report on above event

IC-7610 Group

Copyright © 2017-2023 A. Farson VA7OJ/AB4OJ.  All rights reserved. Images: contributors as noted.

Last updated: 11/23/2023