What Is the RF Architecture Used on USRP-RIO?

Issue Details

I am using USRP-RIO, and I wonder what the USRP-RIO's RF architecture for RF signal transmission and reception.

Solution

You can find out which RF architecture you are using by checking the USRP-RIO block diagram in use. For example, consider the block diagram of USRP-2943 below. 
Only one mixer is used from the RF port to the host. Therefore, this USRP uses a homodyne structure.

However, not all USRPs utilize this structure. For example, in the case of the USRP-2945, the block diagram shows that there is an IF stage. Therefore, this product utilizes a heterodyne structure. See the block diagram below.

First of all, please be familiar with the concept of RF architecture and then check the block diagram of the USRP products you are using.

Additional Information

There are mainly two architectures for transmitting and receiving RF signals: heterodyne and homodyne. 
In the RF system, the receiver requires more complex structure than the transmitter, so let's look at the receiver.
The goal of both methods is to convert the RF signal into a baseband IQ signal.

1. Heterodyne Receiver
Generally, a heterodyne receiver has the structure shown in the figure 3 below. Where w is the angular frequency. The frequency of the mixer is included according to the following equation.
There is a stage called a IF, which acts as a buffer in a kind of frequency band conversion. After this process, the IF band signal is passed to the IQ demodulator circuit and demodulated into the IQ signal.

In a heterodyne receiver, it has one or more RF downconverter circuitry. If the IF signal stage is more than two stages, this is sometimes called a super heterodyne receiver. Between the IF stages, a BPF is required because the unintended RF signals from the mixer must be removed.

2. Homodyne Receiver
In homodyne receiver, it does not require any mixers at RF stage. The modulated RF signal is directly applied to I/Q demodulator which gives baseband signals out (I and Q) at zero IF. Therefore, this method may be referred to as a direct conversion or a zero IF method. The circuit configuration is simpler than a heterodyne receiver. See the figure below.

The table below provides a simple comparison of heterodyne and homodyne modes. So, you can see which structure has more advantages in some aspects.
 

RF Circuit Architecture	Heterodyne (including Super Heterodyne)	Homodyne (or Direct Conversion)
Intermediate Frequency (IF)	Exist	Don't exist
Filter Selectivity	Better	Good
System Sensitivity	Better	Good
System Stability	Better	Good
Circuit Module Reusability	Better	Good
Circuit Physical Size	Good	Better
Component Price	Good	Better
Power Consumption	Good	Better

Because the two architectures are in a trade-off relationship to each other, the architecture that is applied depends on the application you want to use the RF receiver. Because of power consumption and price, direct conversion is mainly used in mobile communication terminal and wireless LAN. Especially in recent years, techniques have been introduced to complement the homodyne's drawbacks (eg, LO Leakage), so this architecture has been widely used. However, Heterodyne structures using IF are still used in applications requiring more stable performance.