System Framework for a Multi-Band, Multi-Mode Software Defined Radio

Abstract : This paper describes a system framework for a multi-band, multi-mode software defined radio (MBMM SDR) being developed for next-generation telemetry applications. The system framework consists of a multi-band front-end (MBFE), a multi-mode digital radio (MMDR), and configuration and control (C2) sub-systems. The MBFE consists of an L/S/C-band transceiver architecture that provides wideband operation, band selection, and channel tuning. The MMDR consists of the software and firmware components for high-speed digital signal processing for the telemetry waveforms. Finally, the C2 consists of the software and hardware components for system configuration, control and status. The MBFE is implemented as a stand-alone hardware sub-system, while the MMDR and C2 are integrated into a single hardware sub-system utilized state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology. Design methodologies, hardware architectures, and system tradeoffs are highlighted to meet next-generation telemetry requirements for improved spectrum efficiency and utilizations.