Build Your Own Software-Defined Radio: Practical Guide to Modular RF Design

Build Your Own Software-Defined Radio: Practical Guide to Modular RF Design by Thomas Duden
English | 2026 | True PDF | 331 pages | 38.6 MB

Build Your Own Software-Defined Radio combines RF circuitry with hardware programming and PC-based signal processing. The e-book presents a modular approach to building a complete SDR system using RF Bricks – from the mechanical framework and RF modules to measurement tools, PC software, and FPGA implementations. Practical explanations guide readers through real signal paths, construction steps, and measurement routines, linking hardware and software into a flexible SDR platform.

Today, it seems no longer possible to employ RF technology without Software Defined Radio (SDR). The elegant abbreviation suggests that communications technology has now also converged into a pure software problem that can be easily mastered with a few mouse clicks.

All the sub-disciplines – RF technology, electronic circuit design, and digital signal processing, are tough nuts to crack. The easy start with readily fabricated technology can tempt you to become a consumer, or at best, a critical user of the technology. Then, in the face of the high hurdles, it is not unlikely that you will give up your own ambitions. That would be a pity!

We compile some of the popular SDR host applications ourselves. The procedures described are intended to encourage you to work with source code. Initially, we only modify the applications to add minor features, e.g., for the frequency control of the SDR hardware, when this appears necessary.

Next, GnuRadio will be used. It doesn’t provide you with a very fancy GUI, but it enables a lot of control over the inner workings of the SDR program. This allows us to try out different ideas for demodulators and to understand them better. With a little Python, you are also able to control the frequency of our SDR hardware from within the host program.

Finally, we take a brief look at FPGA programming. This topic is so mighty that it will only be explained here using some basic examples. A sensitive monoband receiver is described, which you can easily expand to work with other frequencies and modes.

Key topics include:

Mechanical setup: RF Brick template, chassis, and 19-inch module carrier
Bridges: USB isolator, I²C level shifter, I²C power switch, and practical examples
Signal-chain design with RF Bricks: antennas, band filters, NanoVNA work, preamplifiers, PLLs, demodulators, direct-conversion chains, multiband options, and narrowband bricks
RF measurement Bricks: single- and dual-tone sources, NPR methods, noise generators, notch filters, broadband amplifiers, and impedance bridges
Useful accessories: ATU-100 tuner, X-Phase QRM eliminator, and firmware notes
PC host software: SoapyAudio adjustments, GQRX, SDR++, and added functionality
GnuRadio elements: control blocks, SSB demodulation, GUI components, messaging, and filter handling
FPGA-based SDR: VHDL, toolchains, ADC/DAC blocks, oversampling, and a complete SSB/CW signal chain

With its modular structure and detailed working examples, this e-book offers a practical path to building and extending modern SDR systems.

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