Advantages of Matched Filter Detection at Quadrature Baseband Than at Radio Frequency

The continued advancement of software-defined radio (SDR) technology has been a key factor in furthering research about the implementation of most signal processing algorithms at baseband. Traditionally, most algorithms have been carried out at radio frequency (RF). With the coming of SDR, the processing can be done at baseband frequencies which are more compatible with the fast developing software radio technology. This paper looks at matched filter detection and investigates the possibility and benefits of carrying out the detection process at quadrature baseband (QBB). A simple chirp signal is considered for the analysis. The analysis is carried out using MatLab simulations at RF and QBB and the results do show the possibility of carrying out the detection process at QBB with the expected benefits as compared to carrying out the process at RF.