[Elecraft] OT: Hardware limits of a pure SDR approach

[Leigh L Klotz, Jr.]

I thought this was an illuminating article on what some of the design
considerations are for RF equipment with integrated SDR.  Some points are
obvious, such as antennas require hardware.  Others are somewhat obvious,
such as that PAs still need to exist separate from the DAC.  The article
then moves to discuss more fundamental limits on mixed-signal integrated
circuits and why LNAs and ADCs aren't going to be on the same chip, and
why sampling can't replace analog bandpass filters.

http://www.rfdesignline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206902442

Leigh/WA5ZNU