Re-configurable low power radio architecture for SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO for third generation mobile terminals

Objective

The SODERA project on Re-configurable RADIO for Software Defined Radio for 3rd Generation mobile Mobile terminals will validate the suitable RADIO architecture and define the optimum technologies Partitioning (BiCMOS-SiGe, RF CMOS, SOI and Micromachining). This system architecture/partitioning will be validate for the multi-mode RADIO covering GSM (900 & 1800, GPRS & EDGE)/IS95/UMTS CDMA & TD-CDMA) (W-CDMA & TD-CDMA).

The main deliverables of the project will be:
Re-configurable radio architecture, And optimum RF technologies partitioning.
Design of RF basic passive & active devices on the new RF SOI.
The feasibility study of the integration of RF passive components using the new Micro-machining technology.
The design on BiCMOS-Sige, and SOI of complete RF macro Functions dedicated to the selected Re-configurable RADIO architecture.

Objectives:
The goal of SODERA, is to define the suitable radio architecture and to validate its feasibility taking in consideration the challenging criteria imposed by the mobile terminal market: low consumption, low cost , small size by integrating passive components, high performances and (high linearity, low noise figure)

In priority order, the technical objectives are:
to study and define the impact of the SDR concept on the RF architecture and to define the RF architecture which is able to provide the best solution for Re-configurable radio.
to validate the feasibility of the selected radio architecture and the partitioning between the more advanced technologies presently under development including BICMOS-SiGe, SOI & Micro-Machining.

Work description:
Radio Architecture

There are two RF architectures, the Zero IF and the single IF, which seem suitable for Re-configurable Radio applications.
Partners will use their deep knowledge in these RF architectures, as a starting point of the studies and simulations for Re-configurable Radio systems.
RF Technologies

The partners of the consortium are providing large panel of RF technologies including BICMOS-SiGe, SOI and Micro-Machining. The access to all these technologies will allow to validate a complete RF subsystem partitioning.
Key Issues

Radio Front-End re-configuration
Radio Front-End cost and power consumption
Clustering

The areas of interest are "re-configurable radio systems and networks" and "advanced tools and technologies for wireless communications", with emphasis on

Software Defined Radio (SDR) techniques in 2G-3G User Equipment (UE) Radio Front-End architecture;
SDR architecture for UE;
Re-configurable hardware in UE;
Reduction of cost (number of components) of the Radio Front-End;
Development of basic functions of the Radio Front-End architecture in different technologies (SOI, BICMOSSi-Ge and Micro-Machining);
Optimisation of function partitioning and interaction between Base-Band and Radio Front-End.

Expected Impact

The principal impacts will be:
- provision of a flexible, re-configurable Radio architecture for future developments of standards aimed at either allowing or mandating re-configurability
- provision of a panel of technologies suitable for Re-configurable Radio architectures.

Programme(s)

• FP5-IST - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on a "User-friendly information society, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.2.-4.5.1 - Re-configurable radio systems and networks

Funding Scheme

Coordinator

Participants (7)