13:45 - 14:20   Paper 4

Software Defined Radio and the Software Communication Architecture for C4ISR Applications

Dan Simard, Spectrum Signal Processing

A Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a wireless system whose functions can be defined and reconfigured independent of the target hardware.   SDR offers significant performance and economic advantages.  A single platform can perform multiple functions while at the same time reducing the amount of equipment required in the field, decreasing life cycle maintenance costs and allowing for re-use and portability of application software.  This presentation provides an overview of SDR, the associated Software Communications Architecture (SCA), the benefits of using this technology, and military programs in North America and Europe where it is being used today.