Software radio (SoftwareRadio) is a new kind of change radio communication aspects. Its core technology is the use of broadband wireless receiver to replace the original narrowband receiver, broadband analog / digital and digital / analog converter as close as possible to the antenna, and the radio function as much as possible using software to realize the.

-- originally proposed the concept of "software radio" is JeoMitola, in 1992 May was first proposed this concept in American communication systems conference. Soon attracted the attention of the countries in the world, especially the military's attention. This is because the modern military communication, reliability of radio communication system compatibility, interoperability, flexibility and anti-interference, invulnerability, confidentiality, security have higher requirements.

America military and Hazeltine company developed a technique called "Speakeasy" (Yi Tonghua) software radio station, radio platform realizes the multi band, multi function American general, is compatible with all existing army radio, can deal with more than 4 different modulation waveform. This radio can be regarded as a kind of an antenna, capable of voice and data transmission "palmtop computer". Communication services including voice, data and video images, so it is considered to be the future trend of development.

-- the emergence of software radio, is a radio communication from analog to digital, from fixed to mobile, from hardware to software third changes. Be considered after the simulation of communication technology, digital communication technology of the third generation wireless communication technology.

-- from the software radio has been developed, and its structure and function has good scalability, is the future development direction of radio communication.