Software Defined Radio: Enabling Technologies

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Radio Frequency Translation for Software Defined Radios

Mark Beach, John MacLeod, Paul Warr

University of Bristol

In an ideal world, a software defined radio (SDR) would be able to transmit and receive signals of any frequency, power level, bandwidth, and modulation technique. Current analog receiver and transmitter hardware sections are still a long way from being able to achieve this ideal behavior. It is the aim of this chapter to explain why this is the case, to present some design techniques for synthesis of SDR RF translation architectures, and to consider where the breakthroughs in technology are required if the RF hardware component of the ideal SDR¹ is to become a reality.

This chapter is structured in four parts. Initially, we gather data to define the requirements for the illustrative design of SDR hardware for commercial wireless applications. In the second part, we attempt to define the problems that are associated with the design of SDR hardware, both the receiver and the transmitter aspects. In the third, we consider techniques which may be of value in solving these problems before finally drawing some conclusions.

In considering these requirements, the chapter is based around the proposition that our SDR must be able to process the major European air interface standards. The performance requirements that these standards demand are then surveyed.

Basic receiver design is considered by looking first at the architectural issues. The pros and cons of single and multiple ...