Flex Radio System Part 1

For those of you who enjoy technology, I believe you will find this post interesting, informative and maybe even fun, as you learn a bit about a new communications technology called; Flex Radio!

There has been just a ton of articles generated about Flex Radio, or as it is also called (SDR)Software Defined Radio. One of the things I would like to do in this post, is to define Flex Radio and how it is used. So lets start with with a definition, What is Flex Radio or Software Defined Radio ? It is a collection of hardware and software technologies that enables a reconfigurable system architecture for use in wireless communications. This definition is taken for the 2007 Data Sheet on one of the SDR radio system, the SDR-1000 which was the original Flex Radio hardware developed.

This type architecture provides an efficient and comparatively priced solution to the problem of building a multi-mode, multi-band, and multi-function communications devise that can be enhanced using software upgrades.

The SDR 1000 which was developed from Flex Radio Systems, of Austin, Tx., is the system which I will be using throughout this series of posts. SDR 1000 is the actual hardware component of a complete (SDR) Software Defined Radio transceiver which is then interfaced to a Windows based Personal Computer. The SDR 1000 provides everything that is needed to convert a PC into a high performance, 11khz-65Mhz general coverage receiver with 160meter to 6meter (2meter optional) Amateur Radio band transmit capability.

Ok, here we go, as we are going to look at some really technical terminology. As we go along we will define the terms which we will use here and in later parts of the series. The SDR -1000 incorporates a "novel" Quadrature Sampling Detector (QSD) which provides a high dynamic range with minimal components. An Analog Devise AD9854 quadrature DDS and 200Mhz 1ps jitter clock oscillator provides continuous coverage with a very low phase nosie. The SDR-1000
will deliver 100watts PEP (40watts continuous) on the 160meter-10meter (50watts on 60meters) HF bands with the optional SDR-100watt PA linear amplifier.

The combination of the (QSD), quadrature Sampling Detector and the (DSP) Digital Signal Processing, produces a transceiver that has superior performance over conventional radios and easily upgraded with new software features provided at no additional cost. Receiver dynamic range and selectivity are in the top performance class of all amateur radio transceivers.

Before we go any further, just let me say that there are several models of SDR systems. The Flex 1000 is no longer produced. The newest model is the (1) Flex 1500 which will be available early this year. (2) Flex 3000, (3) Flex 5000A, and (4) Flex 5000C. Each of these will be reviewed later.