Subject:
[TenTec] The "What is SDR?" question
From:
"Ten-Tec Inc. Amateur Radio Sales" <sales@tentec.com>
Date:
Thu, 10 Jun 2004 10:40:54 -0400
To:
tentec@contesting.com
To:
tentec@contesting.com
Back in November of 2003, I posted a definition of SDR in response to
another discussion that went on here about "What's an SDR?"
The original post was titled "SDR vs. SDR" and is located at URL:
http://lists.contesting.com/archives/html/TenTec/2003-11/msg00547.html
Here it is repeated:
--------------------------------
"What's an SDR?"
I'll take the U.S. government's opinion, as they - more than any other
entity - have been vitally interested in the topic. There is endless
reading available by surfing the Internet. One of the better
explanations I've read recently that anyone can understand is located on
the NTIA website at this URL:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/newsletr/fall01/SDR.html
Excerpt:
"While there are differing opinions as to what an SDR actually is, a
good general definition of an SDR is found in the recently adopted
American National Standard, Telecom Glossary 2000. An SDR consists of a
receiver and/or transmitter with the following properties: (a) the
received signal is digitized and then processed using
software-programmable digital signal processing techniques (digitization
may occur at the RF, IF, or baseband); and (b) the modulated signal to
be transmitted is generated as a digital signal using
software-programmable digital signal processing techniques. The digital
signal is then converted to an analog signal for transmission (the
conversion to analog may occur at baseband, IF, or RF)."
--------------------------
The key being the statement "software-programmable" - that software
(firmware) is used to change
modulation characteristics.
SDR is the future of all radio services - amateur, commercial,
military. For some really interesting reading
on the possibilities for SDR's in the future, have a look at some of the
discussion on cognitive radio.
A sample is here: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/cognitiveradio/ - the
applications for amateur radio are a
question mark at the moment, but this is clearly where the future of
two-way radio is headed.
A Google search on "cognitive radio" may also be instructive.
73
Scott Robbins W4PA
Amateur Radio Product Manager, Ten-Tec, Inc.
Scott,
Thanks for the definition and especially the references.
Ed, N5EI
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