Software-Defined Radio New technology facilitates true software-defined radio

You're probably wondering, "What's the difference between a synthetic instrument and a virtual instrument?" Mike Granieri of Phase Matrix says "A virtual instrument utilizes the functionality of several independent, or discrete, instruments under a common software framework, as if they were one instrument." He defines a synthetic instrument as a collection of reusable building blocks (ADCs, DACs, upconverters, and downconverters) with automated software that perform a specific test measurement or stimulus function. That is, a synthetic instrument focuses on the repeated use of core functional components instead of higher-level discrete instruments. http://www.reed-electronics.com/tmworld/article/CA385792.html