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Learn about the innovative software radio technology that is transforming communication systems. Discover how software radio enables versatile functionality, easy upgrades, and cost savings. Explore its applications in military, public safety, surveillance, and more.
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Presentation to NSMA conference Rosslyn, VA May 21, 2002 Software Radio Technology Dr. John Chapin CTO Vanu, Inc. One Porter Square, Suite 18 Cambridge, MA 02474 http://www.vanu.com
Vanu, Inc. • Overview • Founded September 1998 • Spin-off from MIT SDR research project 1994–1998 • Software vendor • Contracts • Military DARPA, JTRS Joint Program Office • Public Safety National Institute of Justice • Basic Research National Science Foundation, MDA • Automotive Telematics device for a Tier 1 Supplier • Surveillance Major defense conglomerate
Hardware Radio Separate devices for different functions Any fix or upgrade needs a hardware change PCS voice Analog VHF APCO P25 WLAN Software Radio • Software Radio • One device for many functions • Upgrade through software change
Military Harris Falcon II, Motorola WITS Since 1999, all DOD tactical radio procurements must be SDR Military SDR standard: Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Civilian SDR devices always certifiable as if they were legacy devices FCC task force began in 1998 on SDR-specific rules Docket 00-47 Notice of Inquiry March 2000 NPRM December 2000 First R&O September 2001 SDR status in USA
Portable SDR (a.k.a. Pure SWR) • Software costs amortized over many platforms • Easily upgrade hardware over time Vanu RadioScape SpeakEasy AirNet • Reconfigurable SDR • All signal processing reconfigurable • Significant use of FPGA or assembly code Different types of software radios • Modal SDR • Software controls and configures the radio • ASIC or analog hardware Dual-mode cell phone
SDR internals voice data Analog at carrier frequency Digital samples baseband IF Radio Front End antenna RF tuning Analog-Digital Conversion Channelization No waveform-specific processing Embedded computer All waveform-specific functions in software
Software Radio Phase Space A: HF STR-2000 B: COTS Handset C: SWR Cell Site D: SPEAKeasy II V: Vanu, Inc. Software Radio X: Ideal Software Radio Source: Mitola, Joseph. “Software Radio Architecture: A Mathematical Perspective”, IEEE JSAC, April 1999.
Vanu status: Radio Front End for Agility • Multiple-IC board • Prototype quantities this summer • 30-512 MHZ, worldwide cellular & PCS bands • Low power, full duplex, cost $100s • Single IC • Ideal future platform, cost $10s • Manufacturers waiting for market to develop TECHNOLOGY PROGRESS • Discrete components • Current TX limited to < 1 GHz, < 1 MHz wide • Separate front ends for receive and transmit • Cost $1000s
Higher power consumption Reconfigurable processing vs dedicated circuits Primarily an issue for battery-powered devices Sensitivity/selectivity of radio front end Challenging to achieve if highly agile system Primarily an issue for surveillance, military applications Lower gain if antenna is multi-band Easy solution: attach 2 or 3 antennas Primarily an issue for handheld devices SDR ready today for many uses SDR tradeoffs
For more information • http://www.sdrforum.org • FCC Docket 00-47 • Two new books from Wiley • Tuttlebee, W., editor • Chapters by all the major players in the field • Software Defined Radio: Origins, Drivers and International Perspectives • Software Defined Radio: Enabling Technology • http://www.vanu.com • John Chapinjchapin@vanu.com