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A Beginner's Guide To Software Defined Radios: by Dave Hallidy K2DH 3/2010
A Beginner's Guide To Software Defined Radios: by Dave Hallidy K2DH 3/2010
What is SDR?
SDR-Software Defined Radio is a general term referring to any radio design that uses a computer and some controlling software to define that radios operation. Most of todays ham rigs incorporate at least some level of software definition of their operational modes. A true SDR has very little hardware and virtually every aspect of its operation is performed by the controlling software.
The SDR-IQ
So, what makes it work? It uses the latest in DSP technology to make a receiver (only) that works from 50kHz to 30MHz in chunks as large as 192kHz. Very few components in the unit, mostly the DSP chip. The software (SpectraVue from the mfr, lots of other stuff out there) defines the filters, the frequency coverage, the mode (USB, LSB, CW, FM, etc), the attenuators, etc.
And Another
Conclusions
This is just a bare beginning for me. I expect to find many more uses for the SDR in my shack- single signal spectrum analysis among them. Its fun, it certainly introduces one to the latest in radio technology, for a reasonable price. Ill keep you all updated as I discover more features and uses of this fine tool.