🎯 Recommended Configuration
🚀 Optimal Performance Setup
Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB) + BladeRF Mini A4 + GeeekPi DeskPi Lite Case + 2TB M.2 SSD
This configuration provides the best balance of performance, portability, and cost-effectiveness for professional IoT security testing applications.
🖥️ Raspberry Pi 4 Specifications
📊 Core Specifications
- Model: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
- CPU: ARM Cortex-A72 quad-core 64-bit
- Clock Speed: 1.5GHz
- GPU: VideoCore VI
- Storage: MicroSD card slot + M.2 SSD support
🔌 Connectivity
- Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
- WiFi: Dual-band 802.11ac (2.4GHz/5GHz)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
- USB: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
- Video: 2x micro-HDMI ports (4K support)
- Audio: 3.5mm audio jack
⚡ Power & Performance
- Power: 5V/3A USB-C
- Power Consumption: 15W maximum
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 85°C
- Storage Interface: UHS-I microSD
- GPIO: 40-pin header
- Camera Interface: 2-lane MIPI CSI
💻 Alternative Single Board Computers
🔥 Raspberry Pi 5 (Latest)
- CPU: ARM Cortex-A76 quad-core 64-bit
- Clock Speed: 2.4GHz
- RAM: 4GB/8GB LPDDR4X-4267
- GPU: VideoCore VII (800MHz)
- USB: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
- Performance: 2-3x faster than Pi 4
- Price: $80-120
⚡ NVIDIA Jetson Nano (AI-Focused)
- CPU: ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core
- GPU: 128-core Maxwell
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- AI Performance: 472 GFLOPs
- Use Case: AI-powered security testing
- Machine Learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch support
- Price: $150-200
🔧 Orange Pi 5 (Budget Alternative)
- CPU: Rockchip RK3588S
- RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB LPDDR4
- Storage: eMMC + microSD + M.2
- GPU: Mali-G610 MP4
- AI: 6 TOPS NPU
- Connectivity: WiFi 6, BT 5.0, 2.5G Ethernet
- Price: $70-130
📡 BladeRF SDR Options
🎯 BladeRF Mini A4 (Recommended)
- Frequency Range: 70MHz - 6GHz
- Bandwidth: 40MHz instantaneous
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Power: USB powered
- Size: Compact form factor
- Price: Most cost-effective
- Use Case: IoT security testing, GSM analysis
⚡ BladeRF x40 (Alternative)
- Frequency Range: 70MHz - 6GHz
- Bandwidth: 40MHz instantaneous
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Power: External power supply
- Size: Standard form factor
- Price: Mid-range
- Use Case: Professional testing
🚀 BladeRF x115 (High-End)
- Frequency Range: 70MHz - 6GHz
- Bandwidth: 115MHz instantaneous
- Interface: USB 3.0
- Power: External power supply
- Size: Large form factor
- Price: Premium
- Use Case: Advanced research
⭐ LimeSDR Mini (Compact)
- Frequency Range: 10MHz - 3.8GHz
- Bandwidth: 30.72MHz
- Interface: USB 3.0
- MIMO: 1x1 (RX/TX)
- FPGA: Intel MAX 10
- Price: $150-180
- Use Case: Compact installations
💾 Storage & Case Configuration
📦 GeeekPi DeskPi Lite Case
- Material: Aluminum alloy + acrylic
- M.2 Support: NVMe SSD slot
- Cooling: PWM fan + heatsink
- Ports: Dual HDMI, extra USB ports
- Power Button: Integrated power control
- Size: Compact desktop form factor
- Compatibility: Raspberry Pi 4 only
💿 M.2 SSD Storage
- Capacity: 2TB recommended
- Interface: NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Speed: Up to 3,500 MB/s read
- Endurance: High TBW rating
- Brands: Samsung, WD, Crucial
- Use Case: OS, logs, data storage
🌡️ Thermal Management
- Fan Type: PWM controlled
- Heatsink: Aluminum passive cooling
- Temperature Control: Automatic
- Noise Level: Low (adjustable)
- Power Consumption: 5V/0.1A
- Lifespan: 50,000+ hours
- Maintenance: Dust cleaning
⚡ Performance Benchmarks
🎯 Processing Performance
- CPU Cores: 4x ARM Cortex-A72 @ 1.5GHz
- Benchmark Score: 2,850 (Geekbench)
- Signal Processing: 40 MSPS real-time
- Concurrent Users: 50+ simultaneous
- Memory Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s
- Power Efficiency: 190 GFLOPS/W
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C
📊 Network Performance
- Ethernet: 943 Mbps (Gigabit)
- WiFi 5: 433 Mbps (5GHz)
- USB 3.0: 400 MB/s sustained
- SDR Throughput: 40 MS/s complex
- Latency: <5ms processing delay
- Packet Rate: 1M packets/sec
- Concurrent Connections: 1000+ TCP
🔋 Power Consumption
- Idle Power: 3.4W (Pi only)
- Full Load: 7.6W (Pi + SDR)
- SDR Active: +2.5W (BladeRF)
- M.2 SSD: +1.8W (2TB NVMe)
- Total System: 12-15W maximum
- Battery Life: 4-6 hours (20Ah)
- Cooling Required: Above 60°C
📊 Performance Specifications
| Component | Specification | Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | ARM Cortex-A72 (4-core) | 1.5GHz | 64-bit architecture |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 | 3200 MHz | Shared with GPU |
| Storage | 2TB M.2 SSD | NVMe Performance | Up to 3,500 MB/s |
| SDR | BladeRF Mini A4 | 70MHz-6GHz | 40MHz bandwidth |
| Power | 5V/3A USB-C | 15W max | Including SDR |
| Cooling | PWM Fan + Heatsink | Active Thermal | Temperature controlled |
| GSM Range | GSM Coverage | 1-5km radius | Depends on antenna |
| NB-IoT Range | NB-IoT Coverage | 1-10km radius | Better penetration |
| IoT Devices | Concurrent Connections | 1000+ devices | Limited by memory |
| Protocol Support | GSM/NB-IoT/LTE-M | Multi-band | Software defined |
🔒 Security-Enhanced Hardware
🛡️ Hardware Security Modules (HSM)
- TPM 2.0: Trusted Platform Module
- Cryptographic Keys: Hardware-backed storage
- Secure Boot: Verified boot process
- Attestation: Platform integrity verification
- FIDO2: Hardware authentication keys
- Price: $20-50
- Use Case: Secure key storage
📡 Specialized Testing Hardware
- Faraday Cage: RF isolation chamber
- RF Power Meter: Signal strength measurement
- Spectrum Analyzer: Professional RF analysis
- Signal Generator: Test signal creation
- IoT Test Cards: Programmable SIM/eSIM
- Price Range: $100-2000+
- Use Case: Professional testing
🖥️ Monitoring & Display
- Portable Display: 7" touchscreen
- HDMI Monitor: 1080p external display
- USB Console: Serial debugging
- Network Monitor: Ethernet tap device
- Power Monitor: Current/voltage display
- Price Range: $30-200
- Use Case: Real-time monitoring
🔌 Additional Hardware Requirements
🔌 Essential Accessories
- Power Supply: 5V/3A USB-C with switch
- MicroSD Card: 32GB+ Class 10 (backup)
- Ethernet Cable: Cat6 for network connection
- USB Hub: Powered hub for peripherals
- Antenna: GSM/NB-IoT compatible
- SIM Cards: Test SIM cards
📡 RF Components
- Antenna: 900MHz/1800MHz dual-band
- Coaxial Cable: Low-loss RG-58 or better
- Connectors: SMA male/female
- Attenuator: 10dB/20dB for testing
- Splitter: RF power splitter
- Filter: Band-pass filter
🛠️ Tools & Accessories
- Screwdriver Set: Phillips and flathead
- Thermal Paste: High-quality compound
- Cable Ties: For cable management
- Multimeter: For voltage testing
- Network Tester: Ethernet cable tester
- Label Maker: For cable identification
⚠️ Important Considerations
🔋 Power Requirements
Ensure your power supply can provide stable 5V/3A. Power fluctuations can cause system instability and data corruption. Use a high-quality USB-C power supply with proper certification.
🌡️ Thermal Management
Proper cooling is essential for sustained performance. The PWM fan should be configured to maintain CPU temperature below 70°C under load. Monitor temperatures during operation.
📡 RF Compliance
Ensure compliance with local RF regulations. Use appropriate antennas and power levels. Some jurisdictions require licensing for GSM operation. Check local laws before deployment.
🔄 Hardware Compatibility Matrix
| Single Board Computer | BladeRF Mini A4 | LimeSDR Mini | Performance Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NVIDIA Jetson Nano | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Orange Pi 5 | ⚠️ Beta | ✅ Good | ⚠️ Beta | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ Fully Compatible
- All drivers available and tested
- Full performance capabilities
- Extensive documentation
- Community support available
⚠️ Limited Compatibility
- Basic functionality works
- Some features may be unavailable
- Manual driver compilation required
- Limited community testing
🔧 Configuration Requirements
- 64-bit ARM or x86 architecture
- Linux kernel 5.4+ recommended
- USB 3.0 for optimal SDR performance
- 4GB+ RAM for concurrent testing
💰 Cost Breakdown
| Component | Model | Estimated Cost | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 | 8GB Model B | $95-110 | Essential |
| BladeRF SDR | Mini A4 | $220-280 | Essential |
| GeeekPi Case | DeskPi Lite | $50-70 | Essential |
| M.2 SSD | 2TB NVMe | $80-120 | Essential |
| Power Supply | 5V/3A USB-C | $15-25 | Essential |
| Antenna | GSM Dual-band | $30-50 | Essential |
| Accessories | Cables, tools | $50-100 | Recommended |
| Total | Complete Setup | $590-805 | Complete |
🚀 Build Your Professional Security Testing Lab
Complete hardware specifications for enterprise-grade IoT penetration testing
✅ Professional-grade SDR for advanced RF analysis
✅ Scalable architecture supporting multiple test scenarios
✅ Cost-effective solution under $800 complete setup
✅ Regulatory compliant testing environment