Software Radio Enabling Dynamic Spectrum Management 1 Vanu

Software Radio Enabling Dynamic Spectrum Management 1

Vanu, Inc. Background • History – Founded September ‘ 98 – Spin-off from MIT Spectrum. Ware project • Building software radios since 1994 • Core Strengths – 7 year's experience implementing software radios – Staff: 5 Ph. D’s, 20 engineers – Software engineering, waveform software, system design • Core Technology Developed – Technology is mature for: • infrastructure and public safety markets January 2002 © 2002 2

Outline • Where are we going ? – The future of wireless communications – Software radio is the enabling technology • Where are we now ? – Tremendous progress over the last 10 years • What are the next steps ? January 2002 © 2002 3

The Ideal Software Radio • Hardware Radio – Separate devices for different functions – Any fix or upgrade needs a hardware change AMPS GSM TV Garage Door • Software Radio – One device for many functions – Upgrade through software change January 2002 © 2002 4

Software Radio + Remote Antennas Fiber or cable backbone Software Radio Cluster January 2002 • • • Extended Coverage Shared Infrastructure Better Spectrum Utilization Future Proofing Lower Capital Cost New Revenue sources © 2002 5

Dynamic Spectrum Utilization January 2002 © 2002 6

Benefits • Better Spectrum Utilization – System optimized to current channel conditions, user requirements and network traffic • Dynamic Spectrum Optimization – Make spectrum a commodity • Should be able to sublicense portions as needed – Use is a function of demand, not regulation – Adapts to regional and time sensitive requirements – Enable priority access • Faster Technology Tracking – New services and signal processing are software upgrades – Leads to new revenue and even better spectrum utilization January 2002 © 2002 7

Outline • Where are we going ? – The future of wireless communications – Software radio is the enabling technology • Where are we now ? – Tremendous progress over the last 10 years • What are the next steps ? January 2002 © 2002 8

Evolution of Software Radio • Modal SDR – Software controls and configures the radio – ASIC or analog hardware January 2002 © 2002 Dual-mode cell phone 9

Evolution of Software Radio • Reconfigurable SDR – All signal processing reconfigurable – Significant use of FPGA or assembly code • Modal SDR – Software controls and configures the radio – ASIC or analog hardware January 2002 © 2002 Speak. Easy Air. Net Dual-mode cell phone 10

Evolution of Software Radio • Software Radio (SWR) Vanu – Takes advantage of Moore’s Law – Portable programs • Reconfigurable SDR – All signal processing reconfigurable – Significant use of FPGA or assembly code • Modal SDR – Software controls and configures the radio – ASIC or analog hardware January 2002 © 2002 Speak. Easy Air. Net Dual-mode cell phone 11

Software Radio Phase Space A: B: C: D: V: X: HF STR-2000 COTS Handset SWR Cell Site SPEAKeasy II Vanu, Inc. Software Radio Ideal Software Radio Source: Mitola, Joseph. “Software Radio Architecture: A Mathematical Perspective”, IEEE JSAC, April 1999. January 2002 © 2002 12

State Of Software Radio • Technology is mature for infrastructure – – Basestations Public safety Wireless LAN/MAN/last mile Demonstrated capability at CTIA • Cellular Handsets are 3 -5 years away – Power dissipation constraint – Applicable to lower battery like markets today • e. g. law enforcement, vehicular January 2002 © 2002 13

Outline • Where are we going ? – The future of wireless communications – Software radio is the enabling technology • Where are we now ? – Tremendous progress over the last 10 years • What are the next steps ? January 2002 © 2002 14

Next Steps • SDR Rulemaking is a great start • Spectrum licensing needs to be less static • SDR device approval needs to expand to include over the air upgrades January 2002 © 2002 15

Dynamic Spectrum • Secondary markets would be a good first step – Allows some ability to adapt • Long term goal: Commodity spectrum market – Computerized market maker – Authorized traders • Need to meet non-interference regualtions – Support smaller geographic blocks – Real-time bids • Acquire spectrum for the region and time required January 2002 © 2002 16

SDR Waveform Downloads • Essential to realize the benefits – Spectrum efficiency – Technology tracking • Platform certification – Insure no harmful interference, even with malicious software • Radiate under power limitations • Within allowed bandwidth – Cannot theoretically guarantee correct functionality – Can guarantee that it does NOT do certain harmful things January 2002 © 2002 17

Summary • Software Radio will enable – Better spectrum utilization – Faster technology tracking – New markets and uses for wireless • Tremendous progress in the last decade – Technology ready for infrastructure today – Handsets coming fast • Regulation – Off to a good start with SDR rule making – Next steps: • More dynamic spectrum allocation • Downloadable waveform upgrades January 2002 © 2002 18