As communications technology continues its rapid transition from analog to digital, more functions of radio systems are implemented in software. A SDR radio is a radio substantially defined by software and whose physical layer behavior can be significantly altered through changes to its software. Software defined radios employ a combination of techniques that include multi-band antennas and RF conversion; wideband ADC and Digital to Analog conversion (DAC); and the implementation of IF, baseband and bitstream processing functions in general purpose programmable processors. The resulting software defined radio extends the evolution of programmable hardware, increasing flexibility via increased programmability.

Lyrtech uses this technology in its unique SDR Flexcell^TM platform upon which radio applications are built. The Flexcell^TM platform, which is now part of the SignalMaster line of product, is an open standards based hardware platform and software framework that addresses the key requirements of multi-protocol, multi-band wireless systems: flexibility, adaptability and evolvability. Advancing SDR technology, Flexcell^TM is scalable, modular and supports real-time reconfiguration and reprogramming. A high capacity interconnect strategy supports a high level of reliability and redundancy as well as a high density of users. The signal processing capacity is state-of-the-art while the implementation is based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components.

Complete SDR solution
With its unique approach to radio computing, Lyrtech Flexcell^TM technology and products represent a new approach to creating devices where signal processing is defined by software rather than hardware. The Flexcell^TM radio platform is built on four hardware modules: RF Transceiver, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Single Board Computer (SBC) and Wireline Interface. In addition, these modules host open standards based middleware and application software. The RF Transceiver is a wideband architecture capable of digitizing an entire frequency band, allowing individual RF channels to be dynamically assigned across multiple DSP modules. Hardware modules are interconnected by a redundant high speed bus structure.

Benefits
The Flexcell^TM radio platform will give users the advantages of a radio resource with functionality that is defined in software rather than hardware: flexibility, adaptability and evolvability. A multi-protocol, multi-frequency band system requires less hardware, uses less power, permits over-the-air bug fixes and feature upgrades, and enables network customization. Ultimately, a hardware design based on software-controlled components is less costly to manufacture due to lower variability in component characteristics (reducing the cost of the components) and reduced labour required to build and test the product. A single radio platform can be used to simultaneously operate multiple networks including GSM, UMTS, CDMA, WLAN, UHF, SATCOM, etc. The capability for technology insertion enables a user to support legacy systems and avoid the costly hardware upgrades that occur with obsolescence. Other users will see the flexibility of the Flexcell^TM radio platform and create the futur by developing and testing new wireless communications concepts and solutions. Flexcell^TM is a flexible, adaptable and evolvable solution to a broad range of user applications.

Wireless Connectivity

	Provides access to multiple frequency bands and multiple air interface protocols.
	The RF transceiver module is a wideband multi-carrier radio front-end using IF sampling and two receivers for diversity processing in a small form factor.
	Multiple receivers are supported allowing smart antenna applications or software compensation for channel and RF chain distortion.

Digital Processing

	Provides multiple digital front-end processors that replace expensive analog tuners and filters.
	Digital front-end processors are programmable for various RF channel bandwidths.
	FPGAs and DSPs provide reprogrammable baseband processing of wireless protocol standards, such as AMPS, TDMA, GSM, CDMA, UMTS.
	Multiple wireless protocol standards can be processed simultaneously on the same digital processing module.
	Communication processors provide distribution of protocol data and voice through various wireline interfaces.

Application Framework
Provides system control software for managing:

	Configuration
	Fault Management
	Performance
	Security
	Virtual Channel
	External Control
	Human Machine Interface
	System Control Software is distributed using CORBA and SCA APIs

Platform	DSP/FPGA	Modular design	I/Os	Simulink Integration
cPCI RF Transceiver Product page	XC2V4000 Xilinx Virtex II FPGA Power PC	Yes	RF Analog: 3 SMA connectors (2 Rx and 1 Tx) External input clock: 1 SMA connector Data access:   Digital IF network   PCI bus; supports 64 bit / 66 MHz PCI 2.2   PICMG 2.16 r1.0 packet switching Digital processing: 1 PMC site Wireline connectivity: Ethernet, TDM (T1/E1) JTAG test ports	No
PMC DSP Module Product page	Texas Instruments 1 GB TMS320C6416 DSP@1GHz XC2V4000 Xilinx Virtex II FPGA 4 DUC/DDC ASICS	No	PCI Mezzanine card (PMC) compliant (IEEE Std. 1386-2001, IEEE Std. 1386.1-2001, Processor PMC Guidelines)	No