HackRF Pro

Introduction

When the HackRF One launched in 2014, it redefined the SDR landscape: it was a completely affordable, hugely capable, open-source device that allowed anyone to receive, decode, modify, replay and transmit signals from 1MHz to 6GHz. It made SDR accessible; pentesters could integrate RF into their audits, hobbyists could explore RF in ways that were previously impossible.

Now, ten years after its original launch, the HackRF Pro has arrived. It represents 10 years worth of innovations and improvements to the original hardware, while staying true to its roots: a powerful, accessible RX/TX SDR platform for everyone. The HackRF Pro remains the go-to SDR tool for hackers, pentesters and RF enthusiasts, due to its simplicity, affordability and wealth of software, tutorials and information available.

Overview

The HackRF is a half-duplex transceiver operating between 100kHz - 6HGz with up to 20MHz of bandwidth (tuneable from 0Hz to 7.1GHz).

It is compatible with all major SDR suites across multiple platforms: GNU Radio, SDR#, SDR_Radio, Universal Radio Hacker, QSpectrumAnalyzer. There are extensive tutorials and toolkits available for working with the HackRF One.

The versatility of the HackRF One render it useful across multiple disciplines and tasks:

• Remote Control Analysis: Analyse, replay and emulate car remotes, alarms, garage remotes, etc.
• GPS Manipulation: Block, manipulate or adjust GPS signals for location-aware devices
• GSM research: IMSI capture and analysis.
  
• Bluetooth sniffing: Sniff, capture and analyse Bluetooth and BLE traffic.
• Advanced RFID Analysis: Analyse and communicate with all RFID tags, regardless of their frequency.
• Standard SDR functionality: ADB-S Tracking, satellite-communication, packet-sniffing, signal analysis, etc

Improvements

Compared to the HackRF One, the HackRF Pro adds multiple new features and several quality-of-life improvements:

• Expanded frequency range: down to 100kHz - removing the need for down-convertors (previous lower limit was 1MHz)
• Integrated TCXO: allowing for precise timing - without the need for an external clock
• New "Precision Mode": 16-bit samples
• New "Oversample Mode": 4-bit samples at 40Msps
• Improved RF performance: better shielding, flatter frequency response
• Revised architecture: USB-C, Power-efficient FPGA replaces the old CPLD, increased RAM + Flash Memory
• Hardware bugfixes: no more dreaded DC spike, improved power management, Increased RF Port Protection

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1. Remastered Hardware

Increased operating frequency, memory, precision. Improved shielding, better RF performance, on-board FPGA.

2. USB-Type C

Multiple Quality-of-life improvements: USB-C, in-built TXCO, reworked power management, new standalone operation.

3. Expandable, Hackable Hardware

Reworked PCB allows add-on modules that fit directly into the HackRF Pro case. Open Hardware for unlimited hacking.

4. Dual Clock Interface

Use the internal TXCO, or external clocks via the dual clock SMA connectors for synchronising multiple devices.

5. Programmable buttons, hardware

Control all aspects of the HackRF Pro via computer or in stand-alone mode via the programmable physical buttons.

6. Half-Duplex RX & TX

Receive and transmit over a huge frequency range, via the included antenna or external antennas.