Software defined radios (SDR) use software to control radio functions like filtering, frequency coverage, and modulation modes. This flexibility allows SDRs to change how they operate through software updates rather than hardware changes. Key benefits are low cost since most functions are done in software, and versatility to support different communication standards worldwide. The goal of SDR is to have a single transceiver that can work as different devices like phones or radios through software reconfiguration alone. Hobbyists can use inexpensive SDRs and decoding software to track ships by receiving automatic identification system signals.