Reconfigurable RF Front-end for Multi-GNSS/Communication SDR Receiver

ABSTRACT:Software Defined Radios rely on digital FPGAs and/or high performance general purpose processors to realize flexible transmitter/receiver solutions that can adapt to various modulation schemes, waveforms, and even mission functions. However, achieving similar flexibility in the complementary RF Front End (RF-FE) poses a much bigger challenge. RF solutions are often designed to specific frequency plans; attempts to achieve versatility require multiple implementations of the design and increase C-SWaP. What is missing from the RF design tool box is a way to realize high performance, complex RF-FE subsystems using a common, reconfigurable component mirroring the advantages of digital FPGAs. The technology would enable low cost, reconfigurable transceiver systems. CEI proposes to leverage its extensive experience with reconfigurable RF and transceiver design to identify, develop, and evaluate reconfigurable RF-FE network architectures enabling frequency band agnostic, SDR based multi-band navigation and communication handheld solutions. With a focus on minimizing SWaP, CEI will conduct a comprehensive comparative assessment of COTS-based reconfigurable RF-FE network architectures and make a recommendation about the best approach. CEI will evaluate architecture options with respect to complexity, processing load, ease of on-the-fly reconfigurability, and suitability for an SDR-based GNSS receiver and communication device.BENEFIT:CEI has developed software and hardware technologies for a variety of government programs, and the team has transitioned over 37 products to production for use in DoD and Government systems. CEI also has experience commercializing technology developed under Government-funded programs. Products are packaged as COTS items, listed on a catalog price sheet, supported with technical application notes and marketing materials, and made available for sale to both the commercial and Government markets. CEI will promote technologies developed under this effort as part of its standard commercial product marketing and sales activities. As further evidence of CEIs success with commercialization of SBIR technology, the Small Business Administration presented CEI with the Tibbetts Award. This prestigious award is presented to small businesses that represent excellence in achieving the mission and goals of the SBIR and STTR program, stimulate technological innovation, and increase commercialization of Federal research. The reconfigurable RF-FE technology resulting from this program opens up many opportunities for both military and commercial transitions. Dynamically reconfigurable RF modules lower the total ownership cost of systems through improved device commonality, reliability, adaptability, and operational readiness. CEI is teamed with a prime contract who will assist CEI throughout Phase I to identify military transition opportunities for reconfigurable RF beyond the comm/GNSS application identified in the topic. One promising area is EW; applying RF-FE technology to this area results in solutions with enhanced situational awareness, interoperability, and performance to meet evolving threats. A reconfigurable RF technology insertion enhances an EW systems threat detection performance in congested environments, improves interoperability with Blue Force communication and other EW equipment, enhances waveform agility for effective threat defeat, improves reliability, and reduces acquisition cost through part count reduction and reuse of a common RF front end. CEI is also teamed with a leading RF component supplier who is supporting CEI with insight into device-level realization of the concept architectures. The company has extensive insight into both the military and commercial markets and is a market leader in RF solutions including cell phone devices and programmable filters. By collaborating with this company throughout Phase I, II, and III, reconfigurable RF-FE technology will migrate into device-level product offerings.