Comparing SDR Applications and Architectures

This technical report compares different applications and architectures of Software Defined Radios (SDRs), focusing on their flexibility and design options influenced by System-on-Chip (SoC) semiconductor devices. The report outlines two defense applications that prioritize different aspects of SDR design: one emphasizes RF performance and throughput, while the other prioritizes size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). It details how these priorities affect the design constraints and implementation of SDRs in various environments, including airborne, land, and sea-based platforms. The report also presents block diagrams illustrating the differences in design approaches for high performance and low SWaP applications. High performance platforms require advanced signal processing to handle congested RF environments, while low SWaP applications focus on minimizing size and power consumption. The document concludes with a brief mention of Epiq Solutions' offerings in the SDR market, particularly in relation to situational awareness and RF environment analysis.