The Pretty Software Defined Radio System And Its Use As Communication Platform In Space

Software Defined Radio systems are highly flexible and powerful devices that allows radio signal reception and transmission. Their major benefit is the use of software for device configuration instead of by-design fixed hardware to allow system changes whenever necessary. A next generation SDR system is going to be developed by Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communication at Graz University of Technology as contribution to the ESA PRETTY satellite mission. This new SDR system is going to be used to accomplish the main mission goal, the implementation and test of a passive reflectometry system that uses Global Navigation Satellite System signals. As extension for subsequent missions, the SDR is designed for simultaneous signal reception and transmission through the implementation of a Multiple Input Multiple Output architecture. Optional frequency converters are planned to extend the frequency range of the SDR to allow a wide range of applications.