Practical FPGA Based Direct Conversion VHF Radio Design

This book details design procedures used in creating a radio communication system using FPGA, ADC and DAC devices for high speed radio frequency signal processing. The procedures and calculation methodologies are applicable to a wide range of radio communication products and are demonstrated in a prototype that operates at 13.45 MHz, but can receive signals up to 450 MHz and transmit up to 40 MHz using various alias responses. Digital signal processing technology has migrated from initial audio applications and now offers cost effective, high performance signal processing directly at radio communication frequencies. Mixed signal devices, such as RF ADC and DAC s are available with resolutions up to 16 bits and some can sampling at 2 GHz. When combined with an FPGA, flexible radio architectures are realized. This book presents the reader with a real walk through design approach that covers essential concepts required for real world radio design using digital algorithms that process information conveyed by radio signals.This approach offers modulation format flexibility, programmable bandwidth and multiple channel processing.