FPGA CORDIC Spectrum Analyzer

Overview

A fully digital spectrum analyzer implemented on an FPGA using CORDIC (COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer) algorithms. The design implements a zero-IF receiver architecture with digital quadrature down-conversion, allowing analysis of RF signals without analog mixing stages.

Challenges

• Implementing fixed-point CORDIC algorithms with sufficient precision
• Optimizing pipeline stages for maximum throughput
• Designing efficient CIC and FIR decimation filters
• Synchronizing between clock domains for ADC interface

Results

• 16-bit magnitude and phase resolution
• Sample rates up to 100 MSPS
• Dynamic range exceeding 80 dB
• Full HDL testbench with automated verification