Software Defined Radio (SDR) - What Do You Want?

In Mai 2007 Elektor published a receiver front end for Software Defined Radio or SDR enthusiasts. This very succesful design was based on a Cypress CY27EE16ZE programmable oscillator that is no longer manufactured. A 100% compatible replacement for this chip is not available, which is unfortunate, because drivers for the Elektor design had been integrated in several popular SDR programs.

The time has come for a new Elektor SDR project. SDR has moved on since 2007 and simply updating our 2007 design is probably not sufficient. This is why we ask your input.

Would you be interested in such a project? And if you are, what would you expect from such a project?
Which frequency range?
Receiver only or transmitter too?
Integrated USB sound card?
Technology?

Please let us know what you would like us to design. If you want to participate in the project let us know that too. Leave a contribution below or send an email to labs at elektor dot com.

Update 13/10/2014

My attention was drawn to bladeRF by Nuand. Its specifications are impressive, but it starts at 300MHz. Since it attained its Kickstarter goal in a few days only it shows that there is a demand for such products. Should we try to do better? Do we have the resources?

Regards,
Clemens

Discussie (4 opmerking(en))

ClemensValens 10 jaar geleden

Frequency Range: 10 kHz to 5 GHz. It must include 802.11n

Bandwidth: 40 MHz+. It must be able to receive 802.11n wide channels

Transmit: Yes, variable up to 100 mW and an ADC to give VSWR feedback

Simultaneous receive(Rx) and transmit(Tx)

With simultaneous Rx/Tx it becomes test instrument to analyze antennas, check RF transformers, check filters etc.

With 802.11n it will be able to Rx/Tx commands over the net and if needed transmit commands to other RF enabled devices on their operating frequency. It could become a complete home remote control hub.

Light input has been suggested. How about audio/ultrasonic for things like robotics/sonar.

As with any RF device with a very wide frequency range front end, high overload level is a must.

I would make it modular:

Rx using the computers audio ADC.
Tx using the computers audio DAC.
High speed ADC/DAC with high dynamic range (>=14 bits)
Antenna input/output selector with Rx tracking filter.

Do not do anything silly, e.g. an RF amplifier for HF when the receivers noise figure (NF) is smaller than 10 dB, it just not needed and kills the receivers front end overload factor. Atmospheric noise is the overwhelming factor at frequencies below 30 MHz.

Thanks for listening

R Davies

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pradines 10 jaar geleden

Maybe this part could do the job (or help to ...) : http://www.elektor.fr/news/plates-formes-radio-logicielle-sdr-/ http://www.mouser.fr/new/Analog-Devices/adi-ad9364-rf-transceiver/ For receiving 10kHz to 70MHz an upconverter would be needed.

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pradines 10 jaar geleden

Why not make a simple SDR extension board for the Raspberry Pi (in its B/B+ version ?), and the Dream DRM software installed on a Raspbian SD Card ? A/D converter supported under Raspbian would be needed onboard.

There are also open-source Python DRM decoding software that could be integrated in an interface of your own ... Add software preset function (or preset buttons on the board), an RTC, and an I.R. remote, it could be great !

I saw the PiTFT Touchscreen on the adafruit website : it could take part in a nice Dream DRM receiver/transmitter bundle ... or not (EMI / RFI interference issues ?)

It could also be a nice platform for initiation to SDR, and SDR decoding with Python. I remember the B. Kainka initiation series of articles, it could be a new start ...

The SD card with many open-source SDR and / or HAM software included would be a great oportunity to test / try / experiment.

Another RasPi extension board for transmission would be interesting / important. The problem with DRM decoding in France is the difficulty to receive something : DRM transmitters are far away and received signals (in my city) are week. It is important to be able to generate a DRM signal on your own to avoid total disappointment.

Please avoid hard-to-find components to ensure the continued existence of the boards.

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airjump 9 jaar geleden

Hello Pradines. I search also a SDR board for the Raspberry PI. It would be nice if it would go on the Raspberry PI Zero My goal would be: - To make "Digital Radio Mondiale" DRM more familiar with a cheap receiver The structure: - Raspberry PI Zero - SDR board - Display - Input option with a directional pad - Open Source Software Maybe we can share here? Have you Pradines a good tool for "Collaboration Tools for Virtual Teams" Bye

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sigma 10 jaar geleden

I would like my send own requests as well if possible. As per recent comments, I agree it would be nice to add an ARM board, perhaps one from TI or the new ST Nucleo boards using the online Mbed IDE. A transmitter would be nice definitely. Recently there was a project using Manchester coding ...

perhaps that could be an addition as well.

Regards,
Kristian

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maxhusky 10 jaar geleden

Hi Clemens

all the SDR circuits published I know of need a PC to do the signal processing. How about a SDR with a FPGA or an ARM board instead of the PC? With a simple graphical display and a rotary encoder as a „human machine interface“ and a frequency range from - say - 50 kHz to 30 MHz. As I am not a radio amateur I do not need a transmitter but a transmitter could be optional.

Peter

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Armin.G 10 jaar geleden

I'm definitely interested in this project. Here my suggestions: Frequency range schould be 0.1 to 1500 MHz in different Modules for RF / VHF / UHF Bandwidth should be at least 2 MHz. RX -only SDRs are lots in the market, so it must be RX / TX concept. A stand-alone solution with HID would be great, which makes it portable. May be a cheap Android Tablet could be the HID. Mechanically I think of a 19" Frame with full-modular concept. All DC and digital connetions on a backplane, all RF, Audio and user connetions on front. Gives a professional design, 19" parts available all over the world Moduls could be : AC/DC Powersupply (should be able to work from AC as from Battery 13,8V) RF Frontend with Filterbank and preamp VHF / UHF Frontend with Filterbank and preamp RF-A/D Converter / Oscillator / CPU or seperate CPU AF D/A & Amplifier HID Interface LAN Interface for PC- or Internet-Connetion and optional for TX : Mic amp & AF A/D RF-D/A converter / Oscillator RF Filterbank & TX driver VHF / UHF Filterbank & driver RF PA & LP Filter & Ant switch & VSWR VHF / UHF PA & LP Filter & Ant switch & VSWR Regards to all. Armin DF1QE Radio-communication-technician AG-.Funkelektronik

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Brewmaster 10 jaar geleden

I would be very interested in an SDR project - as long as the price is reasonable. I have always been fascinated by the Cypress PSoC, so a project with it would be fun. As far as frequency goes, up to 1 G would be good, but should be done with different front end modules so one can invest in the bands of interest. Integrated sound would add cost and making it stand alone would also add cost, requiring addition of a display. Having I/Q output, either through sound card or through USB would be good, especially if it is compatible with GNU Radio. There is so much that can be done with the GNU Radio interface that already exists.

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Old Coasty 10 jaar geleden

Not all of us are HAMS. Some of us are Maritime (MF Radio Beacons and NAVTEX, Upper MF and HF USB Voice and Data; UHF Satellite Voice, SAR, Nav, and Weather), Weather (RFFAX, HF USB Voice, 135Mhz Orbital and UHF Stationary Satellite), Time and Frequency (20Khz Digital Time signal, 100Khz LORAN; 5,10, 15, and 20Mhz AM Time Tic; UHF CDMF Global Navigation Satellite System), Aviation (MF Radio Beacons, Trans Atlantic Weather, and AVTEX; HF Voice and Data; VHF Nav, Voice, and Data; UHF Voice, SAR, Nav, and Weather) and some LW / SW listeners or VHF and UHF "Scanners". Of course there are also quite a few Professional License holders like myself. As you can see that there is quite a bit of over lap in the different disciplines. Not all of us have to talk, type, FAX, or send slow scan TV pictures of ourselves. Some of us Transmit Safety, Government, Military, News, or Business information. So I think that a Transmitter as an option is in order as a Transmitter is not needed or in some cases not wanted by many. The ability of it being portable as a stand alone or as a small remote would be important to many. Having the ability to interface to a computing device (embedded [Smart Phone, Tablet, Notebook], Computer [Laptop, Desktop, Server], or Network / Internet) for recording and a more in-depth Decoding (and Encoding) should be and interfacing option. As can be seen above there is a lot of different encoding and decoding needs. I would suggest for frequency coverage that for fidelity and clarity reasons that optional interfacing modules be used to cover the different frequency groups. An example is the poor wide open front ends of the VHF / UHF Scanners a compared to the dedicated front ends of the Aviation, Government, Military, News, Business, and Ham receivers and transmitters. This way everyone can get and make what they need. Again as an example in my Lab I have Time and Frequency needs traceable to NIST for certification of the equipment I repair and calibrate under my FCC License. This includes Test Equipment, Aviation, Maritime, Military, Government, Business, and International transmitting equipment. I work on and enjoy at my Lab and Home receiving LF (LW) through UHF (uW) with all of its modulation and coding diversity. My need (or want) would be more that most but less than those who need (or want) transmitters (unless I want to make a tracking generator for using it as a spectrum analyzer). Thank you for being patent with my views and comments I felt that the Listeners and us Professionals needed to be represented. I missed your last SDR Kit / Project, I did not know of your existence back then. Briann W. Helms Roberts Electronic Technician 1st Class United Sates Coast Guard Retired Switch Repair and Business Response Technician General Telecommunications Equipment / Verizon Retired

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AlfredJingle 10 jaar geleden

Yes please! 0 khz to 200 Mhz would be great. Transmitter and USB sound as optional modules but not as fixed part of the receiver. Above all the focus should be on a world class receiver first. Stand-alone is essential as feature.

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tony1tf 10 jaar geleden

Sounds like a great idea. I would like a full Tx/Rx system. There is already an ARM based touch screen system with rotary encoders for tuning etc, which provides the audio in and out and I2C control of an Si570 on a suitable RF board - its the SDR32 - http://www.stm32-sdr.com/index.html I use one with my UHFSDR which covers DC to 700MHz. A complete system on one board (or modular) for HF and/or VHF would be great. There is also a PSOC design - the Peaberry tx/rx which is based around the SoftRock transceiver - all on one pcb. So there's plenty of designs out there, but not in Europe. It would be great to be able to use a cheap PSOC development board like the CY8CKIT-049-42xx PSoC 4 which sells for £5, to keep costs down. Tony

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triphi 10 jaar geleden

•Would you be interested in such a project? YES – (From somebody who works from ELF to optical DWMF.) And if you are, what would you expect from such a project? I would expect as much flexibility as possible balanced with price and published as an open project to allow for hardware and software modifications. Defined interfaces between modules to allow for user created modules to be used. The use of devices like the Raspberry Pi, android device, PC, or similar boards/devices should be considered, without locking into a single brand. (Lots of cheap android tablets available.....) An open modular (kit) system that would not be hobbled by a manufacturer discontinuing a single part. Ideally an open Linux type of system would be preferred for open development. I see a usefulness in both digital and a digitally controlled analog signal, with the user being able to select. This could be done via add on kits. The use of AM, FM, or other types of modulation supported. The ability to add support for the reception or transmission of multiple un-synchronized or synchronized frequencies such as a phased array. (Both radio and audio (,at low frequencies,) would be nice.) While this could be open, proprietary modules with open interfaces should be allowed. •Which frequency range? I would prefer as wide a range as possible from ELF on up to optical with user changeable parts/kits to select the bands. Different kits would address different practical bands/technologies. •Receiver only or transmitter too? Depending on cost either a receiver(s) plus transmitter(s) or a transceiver. •Integrated USB sound card? Depending on cost, I would prefer the option of both analog and digital output/input options as they both have their strengths. While digital is simpler with many strengths, analog also has its strengths in spotting things filtered out in digital. •Technology? Open to any cost effective flexible technologies that are usable and great for learning.

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ARMageddon 10 jaar geleden

• Would you be interested in such a project? Absolutely! • What would you expect from such a project? Modular design, GNU-Radio compatibility. • Which frequency range? Whatever combination of range and downconverters that would also enable investigation of IoT bands. • Receiver only or transmitter too? I think it would have to be a transmitter too, but a modular design could make that optional. • Integrated USB sound card? Definitely not integrated, as everybody should have access to a suitable soundcard already, but it would be nice if a modular design would allow audio output as an option for those who already have e.g. 192kHz-capable audio interfaces. • Technology? I'm thinking this is an ideal challenge for a mixed-signal SoC, perhaps the ARM-based PSoC4 would have enough DSP, some $4 dev kits are on 44-pin DIP boards so might make construction more flexible. If not directly Ethernet, then perhaps some interface for the Elektor Linux board or RPi (the RPi also has a good Wolfson DAC add-on in the meantime). The firmware should be accessible and development should be possible with free or open source tools.

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J_Flo 10 jaar geleden

I'm very interested in a new SDR. The frequency should range from 10KHz to 150MHz. An option to send is certainly very nice. Ideal would be a complete, stand-alone device. Regards Juergen

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itu 10 jaar geleden

Hi Clemens •Would you be interested in such a project? definitely YES And if you are, what would you expect from such a project? a lot. (let's see later on) •Which frequency range? 0/30 or 0/50 MHz... and a bunch of downconverter, at least. But a 1MHz/1GHz/50 megasample would be more up to date •Receiver only or transmitter too? without hesitation, both. Not only ham radio are looking for transmitting capabilities. RF hackers too (spoofing, analyzing signals and proofing security devices...) You cannot accept all this "internet of objects" stuff without thinking twice to the security and confidentiality of transmited datas. and this is only one example. •Integrated USB sound card? NO WAY. binding an SDR to a sound card is old school. Totally agree with Kjell : the demodulation front-end must be a FPGA. If you stay with audio board, capabilities of this SDR will be limited to 192 kHz max. How do you intend to decode spread Spectrum transmission or high resolution-live-image TX ? There's enough low cost "sound-card based SDR" on the block (like the Softrock for example) to add one more. Definitely no interest at all. •Technology? DDC/DUC, and not "yet another direct conversion gear". FPGA for demodulation and signal analysis. Optional serious analog (L/C) front end filter, (7th or 9th order at least, modular), optional series of downconverter, possibility to add heavy shielding on the fpga/oscillator/front-end stage. possibility (option or home made) to have an autonomous running mode (something like a 5 or 7" TFT Touchscreen and manual VFO command), Ethernet Stream output (tcp.ip format) to directly share many SDR clients, each listening to a specific and separate portion of the band. And last but not least, direct and full compatibility with GNU-Radio development Platform. The project must be a real full SMT kit. Please, stop considering your readers unable to solder QFP or even QFN SMT ic's and 0805 résistors and caps. We are living in the 21st century. Very important detail : low cost (I mean less expansive than most of Elektor kits). have a look at the "hermes lite" github project. it's a nice source of inspiration... or a good Elektor collaboration deal if the project is kept open. 73' Marc

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Elekreader 10 jaar geleden

With opening of new bands a range including the 70 mHz band should be nice as there are not so much receivers and transmitters available. If it become not to expensive a standalone or a built in sound module is preferred, or for example a Raspberry Pi for in/out put.

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kh 10 jaar geleden

I would like a new up-to-date-design. I agree in all that Peter said. As HAM I would like a transmitter option. Would like a SW-band-display. (range about 10mhz.) Option to conect to DREAM-Drm. (and other old SDR one is using. - just the signal going to sound-card-on a pc. Lokking forward to see your design. 73 Kjell

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