Comparative Analysis of SDR Architectures

This technical report presents a comparative analysis of two software-defined radio (SDR) architectures: the NDR318 and NV800. It outlines key specifications such as receiver count, frequency range, bandwidth, power consumption, and cost. The report documents how architectural choices impact the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) trade-offs for these devices. The NV800 features a Zero IF architecture with an amplifier-first design, which enhances performance by improving noise figure and power efficiency. In contrast, the NDR318 employs a super heterodyne architecture with a filter-first design, allowing for improved interference rejection but resulting in higher SWaP-C metrics. Additionally, the report details performance nuances associated with quadrature correction and out-of-band signal rejection, emphasizing how these factors affect real-world radio behavior. Testing methodologies such as two-tone IIP3 testing are also discussed to illustrate the performance differences between the two architectures under various conditions.