What is Software Defined Radio (SDR)?

Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware (e.g., mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors) are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded system. SDR allows for greater flexibility, adaptability, and reconfigurability of radio systems, enabling them to support multiple communication standards and waveforms with a single hardware platform. SDR is commonly used in applications such as wireless communication, signal intelligence, spectrum monitoring, and amateur radio.