Software Defined Radios from Rohde & Schwarz

Software-defined radio (SDR) is a combination of hardware and software technologies that make it possible to implement reconfigurable system architectures for radio devices and user terminals in wireless networks. In an SDR, some of the radio functions typically implemented in hardware are converted into software. The basic premise of an SDR as a wireless communication system is its ability to reconfigure by changing the software used to implement functions typically done by hardware in a conventional radio.

Software-defined radios (SDR) that process classified information are typically architected with a standard red-black separation. Here red is responsible for sensitive information processing and cryptographic functions, while black is responsible for communication stacks and drivers. Both, red and black, are hosted on separate hardware components.

Software Communications Architecture (SCA) is an open architecture that regulates the interaction of hardware and software in software-defined radios (SDR). Developed by the US military as part of the JTRS program, it was declared a quasi-standard for SDRs.

To reduce costs in providing end-users with access to universal wireless communications and enabling them to communicate with whomever they need, whenever they need to and in whatever manner is appropriate. Software defined radio (SDR) technology brings the flexibility, cost efficiency and power to drive communications forward, with wide-reaching benefits realized by service providers and product developers through to end users.

You can talk securely over a distance, receive broadcast and amateur radio, set up a DRM transmitter, and build a GSM network. Software defined radios (SDR) provide a very inexpensive radio receiver and can be combined with software to facilitate examination of the spectrum, detection of interferences, assigning of frequency distributions in an efficient manner, testing repeater systems' operation and measuring their electrical parameters, identifying spectrum intruders and characterization of noise by bands and regions of the world. In addition, SDR versatility envisions its possible application in the improvement of shortwave communications.

Benefits include the ability to receive and transmit various modulation methods using a common set of hardware; and the ability to alter functionality by downloading and running new software at will. Further, software defined radio technology gives the user the possibility of adaptively choosing an operating frequency and a mode best suited for prevailing conditions. New features and capabilities can be added to existing infrastructure without requiring major new capital expenditures, allowing users to quasi-future proof their networks.