[Elecraft] Understanding the KX3 Block Diagram

[Tony Estep]

On Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 11:52 AM, Alan Bloom <n1al at sonic.net> wrote:
> ...That's what I did in the P3.  A single inexpensive,
> low-power, 40 MIPS processor does all the user interface, hardware
> control and digital signal processing, yet it achieves excellent
> real-time performance.
>
> Just think if you did the same thing with a 3 GHz, quad-core Pentium
> processor!  The possibilities are mind-boggling....
============
Alan, the programming in all the Elecraft products is awesome. I have
a cynical and negative view of the level  of programming skill
reflected in many ham products, but Elecraft's is just absolutely
top-notch.

Having said that (and I mean it sincerely), at some point I hope that
Elecraft turns its attention to the mind-boggling possibilities. Maybe
not with a power-sucking Pentium chip, but an ARM or similar might be
just the thing.

The present generations of SDRs are falling way short of what is
possible, largely because of the compromises and complexities inherent
in the fact that they are PC based. It is true that a full-featured
build-out of the KX3 philosophy would draw more power, but hey, not
every rig has to be a battery-operated Field Day radio.

Seems to me that by elaborating on the KX3 design and exploring those
mind-boggling possibilities, you could devise a radio that would
really jump ahead by a full generation and leave the competitors, both
SDR and hardware-based, trailing far behind. Just my $0.02.

Tony KT0NY


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