Sdr

/ˌɛsdiˈɑr/ noun

Definition

Abbreviation for Special Drawing Rights, an international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund, or Software Defined Radio, a radio communication system implemented by software. Context determines meaning.

Etymology

Modern acronym with multiple meanings depending on field. In finance, created in 1969 for IMF's supplementary international reserve asset. In technology, emerged with digital signal processing advancement allowing radio functions to be performed by software rather than hardware.

Kelly Says

SDR perfectly illustrates how acronyms can lead parallel lives in different fields - economists discuss SDR as a 'paper gold' that helps stabilize international currency, while radio engineers use SDR to build incredibly flexible communication systems where a single device can become AM radio, GPS receiver, or cell phone tower just by changing software.

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