Phase locked loops are one of the primary ways to generate radio frequency energy on a particular channel, though they’re prone to drift. Once a transceiver circuit has been on for some time, it might start to lose its position. In some cases, substantial drift may occur and this could start to completely block out communications in a particular part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Even less serious cases could still cause quality of service issues that slow down data rates.
A group of engineers in Rolling Meadows, Illinois have developed a way to address these problems using a software defined radio module that doesn’t resort to quartz crystal stimulation. Their device consists of a phase coherent SDR card that’s attached to a transceiver circuit. Since it’s small enough to be integrated into almost any kind of equipment, this device should prove extremely adaptable in a wide range of situations.
For instance, designers of industrial and commercial sensors might be able to integrate a phase coherent SDR card into a wireless modem. This is an attractive option for those who often have to configure 802.11n systems without the support of a traditional wired token ring. Others may find that it’s a suitable solution for cases where conventional analog transmissions have to be passed over a channel. Since SDR circuits allow users to select whichever frequencies they’d like, it’s very easy to find a place for silent AM or FM voice transmissions.
Head on over to Epiq Solutions at https://epiqsolutions.com to learn more about the benefits of phase coherent SDR technology.