Can I create my IF signal on SDR before bringing data to PC? I'm relatively new to SDR's and I'm trying to determine what sort of BW I need for my laptop to get the best resolution possible for an FMCW system. I have an X310 Ettus with a UBX160 daughtercard which should give about 1 meter of resolution theoretically. Anywhere close to this will probably work just fine for my application. But at the moment I only have a PC capable of a 1 Gig ethernet hookup. The fact is though this will be a pretty short range system, and I expect a pretty narrow range of results (approx bandwidth of a few hundred kHz). Is there a way to mix the echo with the FMCW waveform on board the ettus and just deliver the sub MHz band to the laptop? Or do I really need to shell out all that cash to get the range resolution this unit could deliver?
Sorry this is a newb question, I've been playing around with GNU Radio and uhd a little and I'm leaning towards expecting a &quot;no&quot; on this question - but would love some input from the pros out there. Thanks in advance!
The theoretical data rate to transmit a signal with bandwidth $W$ Hz and resolution $R$ b/sample is simply $2WR$ b/s. In practice, you will need somewhere between that and $4WR$.
One way to reduce the required rate is to preprocess the signal in the SDR's FPGA. This will require delving into Verilog, integrating your hardware with what is already there, and very likely simulating and debugging it. What can be done also depends on how much space is left on the particular FPGA in your device.