Real-Time Digital Receiver Rapid Prototyping Testbed

A broadband, low noise source of programmable signal generation is proposed which can be used to characterize ultra-wideband digital receivers in a laboratory setting. The proposed test equipment must generate waveforms of arbitrary form over a broad spectrum and coherently inject these waveforms into many channels. The signal generation will use commercially available broadband arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) to allow complete computer control of signals. Approaches to coherent signal generation on multiple channels will be explored. Such approaches will include trigger signals distributed to multiple AWGs or by allocation of spectrum of a single AWG among multiple channels. The separate signals generated for a specific channel will be combined and superimposed onto a broadband version of a low noise source previously developed by the investigator. The proposed Phase I activities will address the highest risk components of the proposed design, namely the generation of coherent signals on multiple channels, and will address necessary trade-offs for design and fabrication of a prototype in Phase II.