Comparision of Existing RF COmmunication Architectures

The existing systems can be classified as purely Analog, Digital-Analog Hybrid, and the upcoming completely Digital system. The report's inspiration has been taken from the existing de-facto Digital Analog Hybrids, more commonly known as the Digital Communication system.

The following discuss the advantages and disadvantages we can perceive relative to the Direct RF system under research.

Direct Conversion/Homodyne/Zero IF

Single-step conversion from baseband to RF. The following is the block diagram for the transmitter section.

Transmitter Section

Advantages:

Dis-advantages:

Receiver Section

Advantages:

Dis-advantages:

Super-heterodyne Architecture

Dual step conversion from the baseband to the IF level and then to the RF. The following is the block diagram for the transmitter section.

Transmitter Section

Advantages:

Dis-advantages:

Receiver Section

Advantages:

Dis-advantages:

Super-heterodyne with Digital IF

In this architecture, we try to utilize the ever-growing speed of DAC systems. We push the IF generation stage into the digital domain and operate the RF systems alone. This is the standard many Software Defined Radios (SDRs) utilize. 

Transmitter and Receiver Sections

Advantages:

Dis-advantages:

Direct RF Synthesizer

In this architecture, the DACs/ADCs operate at an RF coding/sampling rate to generate a transmissible/receivable waveform directly in the RF domain. The following is the transmitter block diagram.

Transmitter and Receiver Sections

Advantages:

Dis-advantages: