Software Defined Radio for Public Safety (SDR-PS)

Toyon is proposing an SDR architecture that emphasizes a low-cost, modular design approach using a fully software controlled, multi-channel, wideband RF Front-End (RFFE) board. Toyon’s software define radio for public safety (SDR-PS) will be capable of hosting multiple open-source wireless communications software through reconfiguration of the radios’ personality via over-the-air reprogramming. The purpose of this effort is to determine the feasibility of Toyon’s approach. The Phase I feasibility study will include conducting various trade studies, experimentation and analysis to determine if a fully software reconfigurable SDR can be designed that meets the program requirements for size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). A high-fidelity system architecture will be developed that includes detailed functional block diagrams of all major hardware and software components. RF modeling and simulation results will be used to substantiate any claims made regarding RF performance.At the completion of Phase I, Toyon will have developed a detailed architecture for a frequency-agile, ruggedized, low-SWaP-C software configurable handheld radio with the ability to communicate on and off conventional and digital trunked radio and cellular networks. This work will serve as a point of departure for Phase II development efforts.The inherent flexibility of the SDR-PS makes it suitable for a wide range of applications across both government and commercial sectors. In addition to directly competing with conventional and LTE-capable LMRs, other potential commercial applications include any businesses that require robust communications including security, construction, and hospitality industries as well as a development platform for software developers, and amateur radio enthusiast.