The goal of this project is create an RF Nonlinear Signal Component Analyzer using a host computer, co-processor, and software-defined radio (SDR). The system will be used as a piece of test equipment to quantify general performance parameters and intermodulation distortion for amplifiers. Two SDRs will be used to tap signals before and after passing through an amplifier, and the frequency domain data will be compared. The host will act as a middle man to pass data between the SDR and co-processor, as well as perform all comparison signal processing. The co-processor will be used to compute the FFT of the I/Q data from the SDR.
Top Level Architecture
The above diagram details the top level view of the system architecture. The host computer is shown as a Raspberry Pi and the bottom co-processor is an FPGA (not indicated in the graphic). As explained in the project description, the FPGA will be computing the FFT and returning frequency domain data back to the Raspberry Pi for analysis.