RE: [Discuss-gnuradio] Re: The ultimate SDR

[Ettus, Matt]

>  This method does have a number of drawbacks the main one being the 
> limited bandwidth of the AD9870 (150 KHz) so any GSM use is out of the
> question. Other drawbacks being the device comes in a 48 pin 
> LQFP package
> so it would be difficult to work with plus I never have enough time.
> If I ever get round to building such a circuit I don't want 
> to re-invent
> the wheel so has anyone ever built anything like this before 
> ? If so did
> you come across any problems I should be aware of ?


The 9870 would be a great chip if it didn't have such a narrow bandwidth.
You can't really even do FM radio with it.  

USB is kind of slow.  

48 pin LQFP packages have what I would call large-easy to solder pins....
relative to what else is out there...  Be happy its not BGA.

If you want to just experiment with SDR, a stereo soundcard is great.  A
standard one has 48khz sampling, giving you a 48 khz passband (because you
can use I and Q channels).  The fancy audiophile ones have 96kHz sampling,
multiple channels, and some are supported under linux.


Matt