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Software Defined Radio Systems
sundbug writes: "Very good article on CommVerge about a new technology called Software Defined Radio Systems. Pretty cool to have one computer receive and potentially send over several protocols."
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This would be a sweet toy if they could get it in say USB and for under $200. This would replace any type of scanner anyone would want to use, and let you have a lot of fun to. Unfortunatly, this will not happen. Unless someone hacks the unit and gets a nockoff out on the market.
Just think, Private Video broadcasts (like X-10), TV, Satelite broadcasts, Police, Military, aircraft, cell phones, coreless phones, FM radio, Racecar Cams, HDTV, WI-FI, and so on. All from one little box on your PC/laptop.
Who wants Pork Chops?
It is technically feasible, but also a major headache. There would also be some serious economic considerations. Here are some obstacles such a technology would have to overcome:
1) Making the cost/benefit ratio of the processing power required for software radio competitive with a single-technology solution.
2) Ease of integration into different infrastructures. Just because you can make the air interface work with any type of radio technology does not mean that you've fixed the whole problem. Every layer of the OSI model must be satisfied.
3) Regulatory requirements. Such a device would have to demonstrate compliance with a wider range of standards (both government and industry-enforced) than normal. This could make time to market longer and more expensive than a simpler product.
I'm not saying that this shouldn't be pursued, but given the current state of affairs I would be surprised if someone could make it profitable.