Hands-On
Software Defined Radio
Getting Started
with Software Defined Radios
- or -
“Now that I can spell SDR, what now?”
Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI
2008 Dayton Hamvention SDR Forum
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
First and Foremost:
Thank You!
Eric Ellison, AA4SW
Dan Babcock, N4XWE
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Presentation Overview

Brief introduction to SDR concepts

Examples of SDR RF hardware

Examples of SDR software

PC System Requirements

Musings on applications and the future

Links and Resources to get you started
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
What is an SDR anyway?
Software Defined Radio
An SDR in general is a radio that has


Primary functionality (mod/demodulation, filtering, etc) defined in
software
DSP algorithms implemented in configurable hardware and/or PC
software
Best known examples of SDRs


FlexRadio Systems SDR-1000, FLEX-5000A
Tony Parks, KB9YIG’s SoftRock series of kits
An SDR is NOT:



A computer-controlled conventional radio
A conventional radio with a GUI integrated into its front panel
A SuperHet rig with AF-DSP
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Why SDR?
Why would you do that? (Use a PC for a radio, that is?)

Radios look more and more like computers – user acceptance

Highest performance: FlexRadio FLEX-5000A

Lowest Cost: SoftRock RXTX, US$31

Most Flexible: HPSDR, USRP

Demodulation/Filtering/Interfacing flexibility – user demands

Pervasive, inexpensive and high performance PC platforms

Open Source (GPL, OHL, NCL) builds synergy
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Computer or Radio?
TenTec Orion II
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Highest Performance
FlexRadio Systems FLEX-5000A
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Lowest Cost
SoftRock RXTXv6.2
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Most Flexible
HPSDR System
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Most Flexible
Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Why SDR?
Why would you do that? (Use a PC for a radio, that is?)

Radios look more and more like computers – user acceptance

Highest performance: FlexRadio FLEX-5000A

Lowest Cost: SoftRock RXTX, US$31

Most Flexible: HPSDR, USRP

Demodulation/Filtering/Interfacing flexibility – user demands

Pervasive, inexpensive and high performance PC platforms

Open Source (GPL, OHL, NCL) builds synergy
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Why SDR?
A more appropriate question would be:
Why wouldn’t you do that?
(Use a PC for a radio, that is?)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
What Is SDR?
How do they do that? (Make a PC into a radio, that is?)

Antenna to speaker (RX)

Microphone (or paddle, keyboard, computer) to antenna (TX)

Modulation, Demodulation and Filtering

RF generation

Operating the Radio – the Graphical User Interface (GUI)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Basics - RX
SDR
Simplified SDR Receiver Block Diagram
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Basics - RX
Detailed SDR Receiver Block Diagram
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Basics - RX
SOUND CARD
QSD
LINE
(A/D)
INPUT
SPKR
(D/A)
OUTPUT
OSC
DDS, XTAL
CPU
RF HARDWARE
RF INPUT
MEM
VID
PC HARDWARE
BASEBAND I/Q
(ANALOG AUDIO)
DEMODULATED AUDIO
USER INTERFACE
SDR Receiver Block Diagram (Mixer)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Basics - RX
USER INTERFACE
A/D
Digital
Down
Converter
USB2
CPU
MEM
VID
OSC
A/D
IN
DDS, XTAL
D/A
OUT
SOUND CARD
RF HARDWARE
RF INPUT
PC HARDWARE
DIGITAL I/Q
DATA STREAM
DEMODULATED AUDIO
SDR Receiver Block Diagram (Direct Sampling)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Basics - TX
SOUND CARD
MIC
INPUT
LINE
OUTPUT
QSE
OSC
DDS, XTAL
CPU
MEM
VID
PC HARDWARE
RF HARDWARE
AUDIO INPUT
BASEBAND AUDIO
(ANALOG)
USER INTERFACE
SDR Transmitter Block Diagram (Mixer)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
RF OUTPUT
SDR Basics - TX
USER INTERFACE
MIC AUDIO
MODULATED RF
CPU
MEM
VID
USB2
USB
I/F
D/A
OUT
A/D
IN
Digital
Up
Converter
A/D
OSC
A/D
IN
DDS, XTAL
SOUND CARD
PC HARDWARE
AUDIO INPUT
RF HARDWARE
DIGITAL I/Q
DATA
STREAM
RF OUTPUT
ALTERNATE
AUDIO
INPUT
SDR Transmitter Block Diagram (Direct Up Conversion)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Modulation and
Demodulation and
Filtering, Oh My!

Software Algorithms (e.g., DttSP)

Hardware Algorithms (e.g., inside an FPGA)

Mathematics, very dangerous!
You go first!
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
RF Generation

Putting the “Fire to the Wire”

Mix audio to RF (QSE)

Synthesize RF waveform (Direct Up Conversion)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
The Graphical User Interface
(GUI)
The GUI is your window into controlling your SDR

What you see is what you get!

Conventional (PowerSDR) or SDR-adapted (Rocky)

One size does NOT fit all

Controls hardware functions (obvious)


PTT, antenna switching, RF power level
Controls software functions (not so obvious)

Modulation/demodulation type, calibration, RX filter BW

Ancillary functions: logging, spotting, multiplier checking, grayline
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Some Examples of SDR Hardware

Homebrew

SoftRock - RXTXv6.2

HPSDR - Atlas, Ozy, Janus, Penelope, Mercury, Alex

Quicksilver - QS1R (RX only now, QS1T TX coming soon)

USRP – USRP-PKG, LFRX, LFTX

FlexRadio Systems – SDR-1000, FLEX-5000A

Perseus and SDR-IQ (RX only)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Homebrew! (no beer, just roll your own)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware





Cost: US$30 to US$38
QSD RX/QSE RX
1W RF output
Crystal controlled
7 versions:








XTALLv1.1 (US$12+20)


160m (1.812, 1.843, 1.919)
80m (3.514, 3.549, 3.579)
80m/40m (3.507/7.014, 3.527/7.055)
40m/30m (7.014, 7.056, 10.124)
30m/20m (10.124, 14.050)
17m/15m (21.050, 21.160)
12m/10m (user supplied xtals)
16 DIP switch selected frequencies
Made by Tony Parks, KB9YIG
SoftRock RXTXv6.2
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sidebar: SoftRock History
SoftRocks Through Time

2005: SoftRock 40 Receiver (kit retired)



Q1-Q2 2006: SoftRock 5 Receiver (kit retired)





RC phase shifter, quadrature mixer (no QSD) for better performance on 10m, RX only
500 produced
Q4 2006: SoftRock Lite Receiver (only $10!) (kit retired)



2 bands on one board, 4x or 8x clock, RX only
2,000 kits produced
Q2-Q3 2006: SoftRock 7 Receiver (kit retired)


RC phase shifter, 2 board set (QSD and BPF/Osc), RX only
1,000 kits produced
Q2-Q3 2006: SoftRock 6 Receiver (kit retired)


4x Xtal Osc, QSD, RX only
1,000 kits produced (800 by AmQRP, 200 by KB9YIG)
QSD similar to SoftRock 6, RX only
Over 2,700 produced
Q4 2006: SoftRock RXTX (v6.1, v6.2) (current production)


SoftRock 6 RX, QSE, 1W PA, transceiver
Over 2,400 sold so far
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sidebar: SoftRock History
Think SDR isn’t interesting or popular?
11,000 SoftRock owners* disagree with you!!!!
Thank You for your contribution to SDR,
Tony Parks, KB9YIG
* Well, maybe some of them own more than one kit. As a member of sAA (SoftRock Assemblers
Anonymous), I can only tell you that I own more than one.
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
What is the HPSDR Project…?
The HPSDR Project is a modular, open source
hardware and software platform for development of
all components of a Software Defined Radio.
It is also a group of volunteers dedicated to the
building of a pool of open-source Software Defined
Radio design information.
HPSDR specifically is a radio with the following features:




Very High Performance
Based upon an open source model (OHL/NCL hardware,
GPL software)
Modular and expandable
Contributes to the advancement the State of the Radio Art
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
…and why is TAPR involved?
HPSDR is not based in Tucson
 Group of dedicated volunteers with worldwide participation
 HPSDR group is tied together by the Internet (Teamspeak, E-mail,
Web-based Wiki)
HPSDR is not Packet Radio
 It could be used for that mode, since it is software defined
 It is predominately digital
Main components are fully assembled and tested (not traditional TAPR kits)
 Fine pin pitch of SMT components requires special tools and skills
for assembly
 Not for the faint of heart (or fuzzy-visioned)
 Simple boards still offered as kits, complex ones offered assembled
and tested
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
TAPR’s MISSION
Support HPSDR development with:
R&D funding
• Breadboard prototypes
• Alpha PCBs
Volume production
• Put leading edge technology into many hands
Result: Ever growing pool of contributors, experimenters
and subsequent advancement of the radio art
Even though HPSDR is not Packet Radio,
TAPR’s mission hasn’t really changed!
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
The Boards

Atlas: The Backplane (US$35 – kit)

Pinocchio: The Extender (US$18 – kit)

Ozymandias: USB gateway (US$137 a/t)

Janus: Baseband A/D and D/A Converter (US$163 a/t)

Penelope: Transmitter/Exciter (US$219 a/t)

Mercury: Direct Sampling Front End (coming soon)

Alexiares: RF Bandpass Filter Board Set (coming soon)
http://tapr.org
Hamvention Booths 455-458
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Atlas Backplane
Six slots, ATX power supply input, LED power indicators
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Pinocchio Extender
Extends Atlas backplane connector above adjacent boards
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Ozymandias USB Gateway
USB Interface to Atlas Bus with Parallel I/O
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Janus – A/D and D/A Converter
High Speed Full-duplex A-to D and D-to-A Converter
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Penelope – Transmitter Exciter
Digital Up Conversion (DUC) ½ W Transmitter/Exciter
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Mercury - Direct Sampling Front End
0 – 65 MHz
Direct Sampling
Receiver Front End
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Alexiares – RF Bandpass Filters
RF Preselector/TX Low Pass Filter Bank
(2 board set)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Atlas/Ozy/Janus, why do I need them?
If you have (or are contemplating) an SDR-1000


Sound card? We don’t need no stinkin’ sound card!
 Janus has a 24-bit, 192-ksps A/D input
 Replaces Delta-44 ($150) or Edirol FA-66 ($300)
Oops, don’t have a parallel port!
 Ozy has a parallel control interface
 Replaces USB-to-Parallel converter ($70)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Atlas/Ozy/Janus, why do I need them?
If you don’t have an SDR-1000




Why not?
Want to play with low cost SDR?
 Try Tony KB9YIG’s SoftRock series ($31)
 groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40
How about a high-performance audio spectrum
analyzer?
Ozy provides USB 2.0 for Penelope and Mercury
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Quicksilver QS1R VERB

VERB = VErsatile Receiver Board

16-bit 125Ms/s ADC

15kHz – 55MHz Receiver (LPF input)

15kHz – 300MHz Receiver (direct input)

No sound system required

USB 2.0 connection to computer

Very high-performance and versatile

SDRMAXII GUI, QS1RServer control/DSP software and hardware is Open Source

Cost: US$849

Designed by Phil Covington, N8VB
http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
More Quicksilver Boards From N8VB


QS1F – A Front-end Filter Board for the QS1R

Preselctor

RF Amplifier

Attenuator

Planned availability: June/July 2008
QS1T – Direct Up Conversion Transmitter Board

15kHz – 55MHz

1 Watt Output

Planned availability: Aug/Sep 2008
http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Ettus Research USRP








USRP = Universal Software Radio Peripheral
Motherboard accepts up to four daughter cards
Open Source hardware and software
On-board FPGA and USB 2.0 interface
Ten daughter card types, and counting!
GNU Radio supports Linux, Windows, Mac
Cost: $700 (including enclosure & PS)
Built by Matt Ettus, N2MJI
http://www.ettus.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Ettus Research USRP Daughter Cards





800MHz to 2400MHz Receiver





DC to 30MHz Receiver (US$75)
DC to 30MHz Transmitter (US$75)
1MHz to 250MHz Receiver (US$75)
1MHz to 250MHz Transmitter (US$75)
50MHz to 860MHz Receiver (US$100)
800MHz to 2400MHz Receiver (US$150)
750MHz to 1050MHz Transceiver (US$275)
1150MHz to 1450MHz Transceiver (US$275)
1.5GHz to 2.1GHz Transceiver (US$275)
2.3GHz to 2.9GHz Transceiver (US$275)
http://www.ettus.com
2.3GHz to 2.9GHz Transceiver
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
FlexRadio Systems SDR-1000

Discontinued, available used

High performance

160m – 6m band TX coverage

12kHz – 60MHz RX coverage

Available in 1W or 100W version

Requires supported sound system

Cost: US$1,000 - US$1500 used
http://www.flex-radio.com
Hamvention Booths 313-315
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
FlexRadio Systems FLEX-5000A

Very high performance

160m – 6m band TX coverage

10kHz – 65MHz RX coverage

Available 100W version

No sound system required

Requires Firewire connection to PC

Also available as FLEX-5000C with integrated computer

Cost: US$2799

Built by Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR
http://www.flex-radio.com
Hamvention Booths 313-315
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
Perseus VLF- HF Receiver

14-bit 80Ms/s ADC

Step input attenuator, 10-band preselector

High IP3 preamp

10kHz – 30MHz Receiver

10kHz – 40MHz spectrum analyzer

No sound system required

USB 2.0 connection to computer

Perseus Control Software for Windows 2000, XP, Vista

Cost: £553 (€694, US$1075) excl vat
http://www.microtelecom.it/perseus
Hamvention Booths 652-653
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Hardware
RF Space SDR-IQ VLF – HF Receiver

14-bit 66.6Ms/s ADC

Switched input attenuators and filters

500Hz – 30MHz Receiver/Spectrum Analyzer

No sound system required

USB 2.0 powered – no power supply

Network Server for Linux/Windows allows remote use

SpectraVue Software for Windows 2000, XP, Vista

Cost: US$499
http://www.rfspace.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SDR-IQ
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Some Examples of SDR Software

PowerSDR
(http://www.flex-radio.com)

Rocky
(http://www.dxatlas.com/rocky)

uWSDR
(http://uwsdr.berlios.de)

SDRMAXII
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r)

SDR-Shell
(http://ewpereira.info/sdr-shell)

Linrad
(http://www.nitehawk.com/sm5bsz/linuxdsp/linrad.htm)

Winrad
(http://www.winrad.org/winrad/)

SpectraVue
(http://www.moetronix.com)

DttSP
(http://dttsp.sourceforge.net)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
PowerSDR

Windows only at this time

Open Source

Support for SDR-1000, FLEX-5000A, SoftRock, HPSDR
http://www.flex-radio.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
PowerSDR
http://www.flex-radio.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Rocky

Windows only

Support for SoftRock

Written in Delphi 5 Pro

Written by Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA
http://www.dxatlas.com/rocky
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Rocky
http://www.dxatlas.com/rocky
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
uWSDR

Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

Open Source hardware and software

DSP core based on DttSP

Hardware in development

Group effort, similar to HPSDR
http://uwsdr.berlios.de
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
uWSDR Architecture Diagram
http://uwsdr.berlios.de
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
uWSDR GUI
http://uwsdr.berlios.de
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SDRMAXII

Originally Windows only, now ported to Linux

Open Source

Support for QS1R

Written by Phil Covington, N8VB
http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SDRMAXII
http://www.philcovington.com/QuickSilver
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qs1r
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SDR Shell

Linux Only

Open Source

Developed using the Qt Toolkit under Ubuntu Linux

GUI control for DttSP SDR core

Currently RX-only (TX under development)

Written by Edson Pereira, PU1JTE, N1VTN, JF1AFN
http://ewpereira.info/sdr-shell
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SDR Shell Block Diagram
http://ewpereira.info/sdr-shell
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SDR Shell
http://ewpereira.info/sdr-shell
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Linrad

Linux, Windows, Free BSD

Works with any soundcard for which the computer has drivers

Free Software

Written by Leif Asbrink, SM5BSZ
http://www.nitehawk.com/sm5bsz/linuxdsp/linrad.htm
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Linrad
http://www.nitehawk.com/sm5bsz/linuxdsp/linrad.htm
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Winrad

Windows only

Implements a subset of Linrad features

Support for SDR-14, SDR-IQ, Perseus, Elektor

Written by Alberto, I2PHD and Jeffrey, WA6KBL
http://www.winrad.org/winrad
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
Winrad
http://www.winrad.org/winrad
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SpectraVue

Windows only

Linux Drivers, ActiveX Control source provided

Bundled with SDR-IQ Receiver
http://www.moetronix.com/spectravue.htm
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
SpectraVue
http://www.rfspace.com/Support.html
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
SDR Examples: Software
DttSP

Linux, Windows, (portable to Mac)

Open Source

Written in ANSI-C

Basic processes needed to operate high-performance SDR

Project Founders:

Dr. Frank Brickle, AB2KT

Dr. Robert McGwier, N4HY
http://dttsp.sourceforge.net
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
PC Requirements
How Much Computer Do I really Need?
Q: How much should I spend?
A: How much do you have?
More is Better, but this should do:

Sound System: <spend your money here>

CPU: Pentium Class, 1GHz or faster

Memory: 1GByte (O/S dependent)

HDD: 10GByte or more

Ports: USB 2.0 if you use a USB sound card

Ports: Firewire (IEEE-1394) if you use a Firewire sound card

Display: Get a big one – you’ll be staring at it for hours
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound System Requirements
The Sound System is the single most important part of your SDR
Don’t:



Expect your motherboard’s built-in sound system to work
Buy a $9 no-name sound card
Use 6 foot clip leads to feed audio to your sound system
Do:

Buy the best sound system that you can afford

Use high-quality shielded cables
The Dynamic Range of your mixer-type SD RX is determined by the
SOUND SYSTEM
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound System Requirements
The Sound System is the single most important part of your SDR

ADC resolution: 24 bits

ADC sampling rate: 48K, 96K, 192K – bigger slice of the band

ADC S/N ratio – look for around 100dB

MUST have stereo line input

Computer Interface – Firewire (IEEE-1394), USB 2.0, PCI, PCMCIA

Audio Interface – multiple inputs/outputs can simplify cabling

External DC Power – may be required, even on a powered interface
Another Solution:

Buy a DS/DUC SDR or one with a built in Sound System
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
High-end Sound Systems

HPSDR Atlas/Ozy/Janus (USB 2.0)



24-bit resolution, 192kHz sample rate, >100dB S/N
Will NOT work as a general-purpose Sound System
Under US$400
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
HPSDR
Atlas
Ozy
Janus
http://hpsdr.org
http://tapr.org
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
High-end Sound Systems

HPSDR Atlas/Ozy/Janus (USB 2.0)




24-bit resolution, 192kHz sample rate, >100dB S/N
Will NOT work as a general-purpose Sound System
Under US$400
Edirol FA-66 (Firewire)

24-bit resolution, 192kHz sample rate, 102dB S/N

Under US$300
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
Edirol FA-66
http://www.roland.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
High-end Sound Systems

HPSDR Atlas/Ozy/Janus (USB 2.0)





24-bit resolution, 192kHz sample rate, >100dB S/N
Will NOT work as a general-purpose Sound System
Under US$400
Edirol FA-66 (Firewire)

24-bit resolution, 192kHz sample rate, 102dB S/N

Under US$300
M-Audio Delta-44 (PCI)

24-bit resolution, 96kHz sample rate, 99dB S/N

Under US$150
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
M-Audio Delta 44
http://www.m-audio.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
Lower-end Sound Systems
NOTE: I have not tested these, so beware!

Edirol UA-1ex (USB 2.0)

24 bit, 96kHz (half duplex)/48kHz (full duplex)

Small, USB-powered, perfect for laptops

Under US$80
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
Edirol UA-1ex
http://www.roland.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
Lower-end Sound Systems
NOTE: I have not tested these, so beware!


Edirol UA-1ex (USB 2.0)

24 bit, 96kHz (half duplex)/48kHz (full duplex)

Small, USB-powered, perfect for laptops

Under US$80
M-Audio Transit (USB 2.0)

24-bit resolution, 96kHz sample rate, 100dB S/N

Small USB-powered, perfect for laptops

Under US$80
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Sound Card Examples
M-Audio Transit
http://www.m-audio.com
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
What Does the Future Hold?

Spectrum Analyzers, Test Equipment

Self Calibration (software calibrates hardware)

Steerable radio/antenna hybrid arrays

True Diversity Reception (coherent?)

Diversity Transmission

Remote Control
Most of these, if not all, are already here!
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Software Defined Antenna???
Remember this picture?
To listen to this SDR, you need:





No radio
No antenna
No fancy sound card
No high powered software
Just a PC with a browser
Location: The Netherlands, grid JO32KF
Frequencies: 3576 - 3624 kHz and 7031.5 – 7079.5 kHz
URL: http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
(find it fast: Google “WebSDR”)
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Software Defined Antenna???
Here is a screen shot of the WebSDR control panel in a web browser
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Software Defined Antenna???
Here is a screen shot of the WebSDR users panel in a web browser
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI
Hands-On
Software Defined Radio
Thank you for your attention!
The free CD contains copies of the SDR Forum presentations as
well as many, many useful links to SDR information on-line.
Be sure to get yours before you leave!
© 2008 Scott Cowling WA2DFI