SDR Architecture Comparison for UxS Applications

This technical report presents a comparison of Software Defined Radio (SDR) architectures specifically tailored for Unmanned Systems (UxS) applications. It outlines the challenges associated with power budgeting in SDR designs, particularly for smaller platforms where constraints are most pronounced. The report details traditional superheterodyne architectures and contrasts them with more recent approaches such as direct sampling and homodyne methods. It highlights the advantages of zero IF architecture for UxS applications, emphasizing its lower power consumption and manufacturability. The document also discusses the trade-offs between RF performance, size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements, noting that while direct sampling systems provide wide instantaneous bandwidths, they may not always meet the stringent performance needs of UxS. The report concludes by addressing the integration of CPU/GPU solutions to enhance processing capabilities within SDRs, particularly for applications involving AI and machine learning.