The "Hello World" of SDR

lord loh.

Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #1

What can be considered the "Hello World" of Software defined radios using MATLAB or Simulink?

Could anyone suggest something simple to kick start with SDR on MATLAB or Simulink with a simulated waveform and without using any RF hardware? Such as isolating and decoding an FM or an AM?

I found a mathwork webminar that focused more on the product and less on SDR concepts. I have spent over 6 hours googling for this.

Thanks in advance.

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2012

nsaspook

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #2

There is cheap hardware that can be used for SDR. The LF/HF band received here needs a transverter (up mixer) to shift the frequency up to the required range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuRcaxpbYCw
https://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2012

lord loh.

Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #3

I am aware of these (6 hours of googling). I wanted to try some algorithms before I bought these hardware.

 

Mikebits

Well-Known Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #4

This is cool. Never heard of this before. I may try to build the RF front end. Where can I find the interface spec sheet? Once I complete the design I would gladly share it with all of you I suppose I could google it, but too lazy right now

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2012

nsaspook

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #5

lord loh. said:

I am aware of these (6 hours of googling). I wanted to try some algorithms before I bought these hardware.

Click to expand...

With the price of admission so low (<$30 for a Realtek RTL2832U & Elonics E4000-Based USB DVB-T Receiver) I don't see much use for simulation. https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2012/09/rtl-sdr2.pdf

 

lord loh.

Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #6

The simulation is more for my understanding. I have mostly given up and am considering buying a device. I would have been glad if someone could have made available a recorded RF waveform that I could import into MATLAB or Simulink and start working.

 

Mikebits

Well-Known Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #7

The 2832 has strange IF frequencies. What is meant by zero IF?

 

lord loh.

Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #8

This might help.

 

Mikebits

Well-Known Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #9

I did find this IF filter for 36.125MHz 8 Mhz BW

https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2012/09/if_filter_816-36-b.pdf

and this one.
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/custompdfs/2012/09/CX162872.pdf

36.125 seems to be a common cable TV filter.

 

Last edited: Sep 6, 2012

Mikebits

Well-Known Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #10

I just might build this thing. Would be cool if I could control the tuner through the software by Realtek.

 

Mikebits

Well-Known Member

• Sep 6, 2012

• #11

So, my idea for using this Realtek needs two USB ports, one for the dongle and one for the front end to program the synthesizer. Any of you software winkidinks wanna contribute?