Jitter measurement in digital signals by using software defined radio technology

Abstract

Here, we propose a method using software defined radio (SDR) technology to measure periodic and random jitter in a digital signal. Conventional methods to measure jitter required expensive measurement equipment. We use a cheap (less than US $40) SDR USB dongle to expose random and periodic jitter in the amplitude modulated light source of a range camera. By using Fourier analysis we generate an ideal reference signal to enable to extract jitter at the zero crossings of the signal under test. We measure jitter with SDR receiver and more conventionally a real-time digital oscilloscope. From the SDR receiver, we find the periodic jitter at low frequency and compare to the oscilloscope results. We demonstrate that periodic and random jitter can be detected on a RF signal with consumer priced products provided that the jitter frequency less within the bandwidth of the receiver.