A Software Defined Radio is a term used to describe a control software for a radio application which provide modulation techniques, narrow band operation or wide band, communications security functions and waveform requirements. In order to provide wide frequency distribution for different frequency bands, and antenna system is utilised using a front end switch.

The concept of "software radio" has been around for some time, having initially been discussed in the field of military research. Now, however, with the increasing capabilities of DSP on one hand, and the requirements for fast time to market on the other, it is emerging as an important commercial technology. Like many technologies these days, it has trickled down to where the amateur can have high-quality voice communication without exceeding SSB bandwidth or needing expensive broadcast studio equipment.

Software Defined Radio (SDR) is an emerging technology particularly within the wireless industry which has great potential to be used amongst a wide range of applications. In terms of the communication requirements posed by the different sectors such as the military, civil and commercial, SDR offers a inexpensive, yet efficient solutions to contraints and financial viability present in current systems. SDR equipment and network devices are able to be controlled using dynamic programming of its software, and are able to be reconfigured and updated in order to improve its features, security protocols, performance and services.

Software Defined Radio (SDR) provides a dynamic selection of parameters by using its radio system functional modules, which facilitate its implementation. Such a dynamic concept enables the modulation / demodulation, signal generation, coding and link-layer protocol utilisation in its software. In terms of the Software Defined Radio (SDR) hardware components, their functionality, as described above provide a greater advantage to normal radio system hardware, since normal radio systems can provide only fixed parameters.

The commercial benefits of Software Defined Radio (SDR) begin to be more prominant as wireless communication begin to develop, since the creation, and constant evolution of link-level standards such as  (2.5G, 3G, and 4G), mean that there is a wide incompatibility between wireless network technologies utilised by different countries. From a commercial and global perspective, this major problem inhibits the use of roaming services and facilities, and is one economic aspect which is of importance, if a Software Defined Radio (SDR) protocol could be developed to address this.

In saying this, Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology and its development has begun to address and evolve, in order to solve many issues similar to this. The generic implementation of SDR software modules promises to solve multiple aspects, by providing multiple module implementations depending on which software module is being used. By allowing the download of different standards and issues, it creates the right flexibility required and demanded with new and emerging wireless communication technologies.