New Software Changes Wireless Technology Functions on Demand

Taking wireless technology to the next level, NASA is leading the way in the field of Software Defined Radio, or SDR, a wireless technology that gives an electronic device the ability to quickly and easily perform new functions on demand.

Image: A group of satellites could efficiently communicate directly with SDR, rather than using ground stations and uplinks. The A-train, shown here, is a constellation of 5 satellites that will collect complimentary data, and is an example of a network that would benefit from SDR technology. CALIPSO and CloudSat, the constellation's two newest members, will launch later this summer. Click on image to enlarge. Image credit: NASA

Imagine an electronic gadget, like your cell phone, evolving into the next generation of communication devices through the use of radio technology. From the prospect of downloading software to adapt a cell phone into a video camera or MP3 player, to the idea that satellites could interact and share data directly by configuring themselves, the possibilities for SDR are without bound.

Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., are so enthusiastic about SDR that they have recently built an SDR test-bed — providing the necessary foundation for investigating SDR technologies and techniques. This test-bed allows for the rapid, low-cost development of communication and navigation algorithms that will be used in upcoming technology experiments, and eventually, in missions.

Software Defined Radio is a relatively new wireless technology based on the familiar radio technology that has been used for many years. Traditional Earth-based radio technology involves the transmission of a signal, typically “analog” speech or music, as electromagnetic waves using a single purpose radio transmitter. The electromagnetic waves travel through the air until they encounter a radio receiver that has been tuned to receive the right frequency. This receiver processes the signal and sends the result to a speaker. You then hear whatever was broadcast from the radio station. In SDR, the transmitter modulation is produced by a digital signal processor (a form of computer) to produce digital signals, the signals are then converted to “analog” and sent to the transmitter’s antenna. The receiver uses a computer to recover the signal intelligence.

"For NASA, SDR applies to the transmission of data, rather than sound," said Jason Soloff, an SDR technologist. However, Soloff adds that you may be most familiar with the sound-related commercial applications of SDR. "When you are in your car, and you use your MP3 player to receive an FM signal digitally, you are using SDR-like technology. Or, when you travel from an area with an analog cell phone signal to a digital signal, and your phone switches automatically, your phone is acting as a software defined or reconfigurable radio."

With SDR, manufacturers could install a generic radio chip into electronic devices and later “educate” them to perform functions quite different than their original job through a simple software download.

Similarly, engineers could reconfigure future SDR-enabled NASA missions at will, allowing formerly independent satellites to be linked and give a more complete picture of a unique scientific event. In other applications, two satellites could interact and share information, or an older satellite could be updated with a new function and mission, extending its life and usefulness.

"Many of our current satellites were developed with a fixed set of data rates and modulations, so they can only talk to the ground or the space network," said Soloff. "SDR would allow us to switch between a ground network and a space network with simple uploads, making the satellite or instrument much more flexible."

One of the main goals of Goddard’s SDR testbed is to allow NASA to work with industry to seed new SDR technologies. Another is to create partnerships with others working on SDR.

"The first true SDR components should make spaceflights within the next 3 to 5 years," said Soloff — around the same time experts believe that everyday devices could start becoming SDR-enabled.

Source: NASA's Langley Research Center (by Katie Lorentz)

Related stories:

Space-based supercomputer in design at Los Alamos
Los Alamos National Laboratory today announced funding of a new space payload which dramatically increases on-orbit computational capabilities.
IMEC reports breakthrough power efficiency and performance of coarse-grain processor
IMEC’s novel coarse-grain processor, ADRES, meets requirements of design-time and runtime reconfigurability for supporting a broad range of embedded applications. ADRES beats the performance of state-of-the-art DSP processors, while offering the same flexibility and having the power efficiency of state-of-the-art ASIPs. The core can also be used in a multi-core context for high-performance applications.
ORNL Selects Spectrum Signal Processing's SDR-3000 Platform for Multiple Research Programs, Including RFID
Spectrum Signal Processing Inc., a leading provider of software defined radio (SDR) platforms, today announced that Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a multi-program science and technology laboratory, will use Spectrum's flexComm™ SDR-3000 platform to demonstrate multi-standard Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers.
Panasonic Introduces First 3CCD SD Camcorder
Panasonic today announced another ground-breaking innovation in digital video and optical technologies: the world’s first 3CCD SD camcorder. The lightweight, super-portable SDR-S100 records high-quality MPEG2 video onto SD Memory Cards, and features a high-performance Leica Dicomar lens, 10X optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilization. The SDR-S100’s fast response time and rugged, shock-resistant design also make it the perfect "take-anywhere" camcorder for spontaneous shooting.
Elpida Memory's 512 Megabit Mobile RAM Device Fits in Smaller Package for 3G Phones
90 nm Process Technology Enables Smaller Die Size, Easier Implementation in Multi-Chip-Package and System-in-Package Designs

Elpida Memory, Inc., Japan's leading global supplier of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), today announced that it has started shipping samples of small form-factor, 512 Megabit Mobile RAM devices for high-performance, 3G cellular applications. By utilizing 90 nm process technology, Elpida can now offer customers 512 Megabit Mobile RAM devices with a smaller and square die for easier implementation into Multi-Chip Package (MCP) and System-in-Package (SiP) designs which require 11 x 11 mm packages or smaller to save valuable board space.
Philips targets DDR2 memory modules with new high-speed registers
Designed to optimize memory performance, family includes fastest registers on the market

As memory modules have evolved from slower single data rate (SDR) solutions to double data rate (DDR), the need for increasingly precise signal control has led to the increased use of registers. To address this design need, Royal Philips Electronics today announced a new family of high-speed registers for memory-intensive applications such as high-end servers and advanced computing. Optimized for DDR2 DIMM loads, the new registers maximize DDR2 registered memory module performance by precisely controlling the signals going to each DRAM on the module.
Renesas Technology Releases SH7780 Microprocessor Incorporating SH-4A SuperH CPU Core and PCI Bus Controller
Renesas Technology Corp. today announced the development of the SH7780, a 32-bit microprocessor incorporating the SH-4A, the high-end CPU core in the SuperH™* 1 Family, and a PCI bus * 2 controller (PCIC). It is designed for high-performance multimedia applications such as game machines, digital home electronics products, and car navigation systems. Sample shipments will begin in November 2004 in Japan .
SAMSUNG Enables 3D Gaming on Cellular Handsets
Mobile DDR x 32 memory device breaks the 1Gbyte-per-second data transfer rate barrier

SEOUL , KOREA , May 12 , 2004 - SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor memory technology, today announced the latest addition to its Mobile DRAM portfolio, a monolithic 256Mbit, 32-bit wide Double Data Rate (DDR) device that offers the bandwidth needed for photo-realistic 3D gaming in handsets. Samples are available today with mass production scheduled in the second half of 2004.

News discussion:

Technology news