Software Defined Modem for Cognitive Radio with Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor

Software Defined Radio (SDR) techniques are expected to be among the key technologies of heterogeneous cognitive radio networks for realizing efficient and convenient wireless communications by providing multiple radio services to users and decreasing development costs. In this paper, in order to evaluate the feasibility of SDR modems, we study the amount of computing throughput of a recent wireless system and determine a suitable modem architecture. Firstly, the functions for which SDR techniques provide significant benefits are clarified. Secondly, the computing throughputs are measured under the assumption that a dynamically reconfigurable processor, FlexSword (TM), is employed. Finally, based on a consideration of timing charts, we propose the architecture of an SDR-based modem with Flex Sword. The possibility of implementing several wireless systems is also considered.