Standardization in SDR: Standardization in SDR:

The military model and its The military model and its applicability to the civil domainapplicability to the civil domain

Dr Michael StreetDr Michael StreetNATO C3 AgencyNATO C3 Agency

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IntroductionIntroduction

What do we mean by SDR ?What do we mean by SDR ?

Why do we care about SDR ?Why do we care about SDR ?

Do we need to standardise it ?Do we need to standardise it ?

Beyond standards Beyond standards –– test, certification and test, certification and business modelsbusiness models

Comparison with the civil communityComparison with the civil community

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NATO C3 AgencyNATO C3 Agency

The NATO Consultation Command and Control Agency (NC3A) providesThe NATO Consultation Command and Control Agency (NC3A) providesunbiased scientific, technological and acquisition support in alunbiased scientific, technological and acquisition support in all areas of l areas of consultation, command, and control for NATO. consultation, command, and control for NATO.

NC3A is a Centre of Excellence in Communications, Command, ContrNC3A is a Centre of Excellence in Communications, Command, Control, ol, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities within NATO. capabilities within NATO.

With a highly competent staff, extensive laboratories and close With a highly competent staff, extensive laboratories and close links with links with military users NC3A provides independent and impartial advice fomilitary users NC3A provides independent and impartial advice for r achieving operational enhancements in NATOachieving operational enhancements in NATO’’s C3 capability and s C3 capability and supports the provision and procurement of the most capable C4ISRsupports the provision and procurement of the most capable C4ISRsystems available and their operation in crisis and war.systems available and their operation in crisis and war.

www.www.nc3a.nc3a.nato.intnato.int

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Military radio domain Military radio domain

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Proposed Wireless Net ready Proposed Wireless Net ready Communications Standards (non Communications Standards (non ––SATCOM)SATCOM)

STANAGSTANAG CURRENTCURRENT NEW NEW PROJECTSPROJECTS

2012/14 NNEC 2012/14 NNEC NIINII

2020 NNEC 2020 NNEC NIINII

VLFVLF 50305030 50305030 50305030 50305030

HFHF 4203, 4285, 4203, 4285, 4415, 4444, 4415, 4444, 4481, 4529, 4481, 4529, 4538, 4539, 50664538, 4539, 5066

4203, 4415, 4444, 4203, 4415, 4444, 4481, 4529, 4538, 4481, 4529, 4538, 4539, 50664539, 5066

4203, 4415, 4444, 4203, 4415, 4444, 4538, 4539, 50664538, 4539, 5066

4203, 4444, 4538, 4203, 4444, 4538, 4539, 50664539, 5066

VHFVHF 4204, 4292, 4204, 4292, 4448, 44494448, 4449

4204, 4292, 4448, 4204, 4292, 4448, 4449, NBW4449, NBW

4204, 4292, NBW4204, 4292, NBW 4204, NBW4204, NBW

UHFUHF 4205, 4246, 4372 4205, 4246, 4372 4205, 4372, NBW, 4205, 4372, NBW, WBWWBW

4205, 4372, NBW, 4205, 4372, NBW, WBWWBW

4205, 4372, NBW, 4205, 4372, NBW, WBWWBW

Plus CIMIC: TETRA, GSM,

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SDR in NATOSDR in NATO

Military requirements dictate many different radio Military requirements dictate many different radio systems systems –– many standardsmany standards

JTRS initially identified 40+ current standards JTRS initially identified 40+ current standards

National requirementsNational requirementsFlexibilityFlexibilityInteroperabilityInteroperabilityEconomicsEconomics

Larger supplier base, larger markets, lower costsLarger supplier base, larger markets, lower costs

NATO SDR Users Group (SDRUG)NATO SDR Users Group (SDRUG)National SDR programmesNational SDR programmes

AU, CA, ES, FI, FR, GE, IT, PL, TU, SP, SW, UK, USAU, CA, ES, FI, FR, GE, IT, PL, TU, SP, SW, UK, US

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Software Defined RadioSoftware Defined Radio

SDR is not newSDR is not newS/w definition provides flexibilityS/w definition provides flexibilityIncreases lifetime of radiosIncreases lifetime of radiosAids platform fittingAids platform fittingEases new techniques / policiesEases new techniques / policies

FM, networkingFM, networking

Portable software to define radios Portable software to define radios Standards for Standards for s/ws/w design & radio design & radio h/wh/wPortability Portability ……..…… which leads to interoperabilitywhich leads to interoperabilityYour software + my radio = we interoperateYour software + my radio = we interoperate

Portability requires stringent standards on implementationPortability requires stringent standards on implementation

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Interoperability and PortabilityInteroperability and Portability

Interoperability requires air interface standardsInteroperability requires air interface standards

Portability requires implementation standardsPortability requires implementation standardsProliferates AI standardsProliferates AI standards

NATO nations are following a standard for SDR NATO nations are following a standard for SDR portabilityportability

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Interoperability and StandardisationInteroperability and Standardisation

Usual route to NATO interoperability is through Usual route to NATO interoperability is through standardisationstandardisationSDR is an implementation. Should that be SDR is an implementation. Should that be standardised ?standardised ?

Benefits to users, purchasers and vendors of Benefits to users, purchasers and vendors of widespread standardisationwidespread standardisation

What should NATO standardise ?What should NATO standardise ?NATO standards, or adoption of existing standards ?NATO standards, or adoption of existing standards ?

NATO Policy for use of Civil Standards (EAPC NATO Policy for use of Civil Standards (EAPC ……))IPR issues in civil standardsIPR issues in civil standards

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Waveformdescription

Interoperability where ?Interoperability where ?

Waveform(text description)

SDRPlatform

Compiler / Interpreter

Waveformdescription

Air interface

Waveform(text description)

SDRPlatform

Compiler / Interpreter

Waveformdescription

WaveformDescriptionLanguage

Air interface

Hardware Radio

Platform

Boundary of NATO standardisation

Standard architecture for SDR hardware and software

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Software Communications Architecture (SCA)Software Communications Architecture (SCA)

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Software Communications ArchitectureSoftware Communications Architecture

Standard for implementing SDRStandard for implementing SDRUS US DoDDoD -- developed for JTRS programmedeveloped for JTRS programmeFollowed by many national SDR programmesFollowed by many national SDR programmes

Rich, robust, capableRich, robust, capableNonNon--military suitabilitymilitary suitability

Defined interfaces, APIs Defined interfaces, APIs

SCA compliant software can be ported to SCA SCA compliant software can be ported to SCA compliant hardware compliant hardware ““easilyeasily””

70 % software reuse70 % software reuse

SCA compliant radios and waveforms fieldedSCA compliant radios and waveforms fieldedIncluding TETRA !Including TETRA !

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…… but but …… some SCA issues remain some SCA issues remain

Ownership of SCAOwnership of SCALong term, probably not Long term, probably not DoDDoD

APIs and securityAPIs and securityNot everything is releasableNot everything is releasable

Test & verificationTest & verificationOf Of h/wh/w, original , original s/ws/w and ported and ported s/ws/w

With an agreed standard, software can be shared, With an agreed standard, software can be shared, waveforms ported and interoperability increased waveforms ported and interoperability increased

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Sharing SDR softwareSharing SDR software

Standardised SCAStandardised SCAPortable softwarePortable softwareA basis for development, not A basis for development, not ““plug and playplug and play””

But our users arenBut our users aren’’t t ““plug and playplug and play”” eithereither

AI standards which meet user requirementsAI standards which meet user requirementsHow can these be best proliferated ?How can these be best proliferated ?

IPRIPRPros and consPros and cons

Software waveform librarySoftware waveform libraryModel of operationModel of operationType of content Type of content –– Base waveformsBase waveforms

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Standard (text document)

UKTarget

STANAG 4999 S4999 for UKhandheld radio

S4999 for UKairborne radio

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Standard (text document)

UK

Base waveform Target waveform

STANAG 4999 S 4999 in “C” code FPGA of S4999 for UK handheld radio

DSP of S4999 forUK airborne radio

ICEETS 399 ETS 399 in “C” code ETS 399 in

Icelandic vehicle radio

UK ETS 399 inUK airborne radio

ESP S4999 inESP airborne radio

Test waveform - FM3TR ?

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All ‘Net ready’STANAGs

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STANAG ????

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Operating environmentTest vectorsS/w design documentationAPI listResults of SCA certification test (formal or informal)Supporting documentation

Targ

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1.1

As before but with revisions to debug base waveform

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Multinational testingMultinational testing

US have a national test facility = US have a national test facility = JTeLJTeL + JITC+ JITC

JTeLJTeL ensures SCA complianceensures SCA complianceTested against reference SCA implementationsTested against reference SCA implementationsSoftware ported to a Software ported to a ““reference setreference set””

Software port can be 90% automatedSoftware port can be 90% automated

National developments will require national testingNational developments will require national testingUse a national facility for multiUse a national facility for multi--national testing ?national testing ?

Who is responsible to tests and failures ?Who is responsible to tests and failures ?

StandardsStandards--based products determined by the based products determined by the testing, not by the standards documents testing, not by the standards documents

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Testing SDR: Hardware & SoftwareTesting SDR: Hardware & Software

Conformance Conformance –– to standardto standardInteroperability Interoperability -- with other implementationswith other implementationsAccess to propagation mechanism Access to propagation mechanism –– EMC, CR EMC, CR ????Infrastructure Infrastructure –– working with necessary systemsworking with necessary systems

Key management, fixed NIIKey management, fixed NII

Security Security –– accreditationaccreditationProduct Product –– features / usabilityfeatures / usabilityOperational Operational -- environmentenvironment

Some tests are already provided, others arenSome tests are already provided, others aren’’t of t of interestinterest

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Multinational testingMultinational testing

Multiple test laboratoriesMultiple test laboratoriesNational developments will require national testingNational developments will require national testingUse a national facility for multiUse a national facility for multi--national testing ?national testing ?Multiple labs Multiple labs --> cross> cross--certificationcertification

Single labSingle labNeutrality, single referenceNeutrality, single reference

What is already addressed ?What is already addressed ?SecuritySecurity

What is the scope of required SDR testing ?What is the scope of required SDR testing ?InteropInterop / compliance/ complianceInfrastructureInfrastructureRepresentative tests Representative tests vsvs range of scenariosrange of scenarios

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SDR in and beyond NATOSDR in and beyond NATO

SDRFSDRFSCA WG, Public safety SIG, MarketsSCA WG, Public safety SIG, Markets

OMG OMG SBC SBC -- Std Convergence, alternatives.Std Convergence, alternatives.

NATO Research & Technology OrganisationNATO Research & Technology OrganisationTechnical focus for national SDR activitiesTechnical focus for national SDR activities

NATO SDR Users GroupNATO SDR Users Group““ElectroElectro--politicalpolitical””

To establish commitment among nations to exploit the benefits oTo establish commitment among nations to exploit the benefits of SDR f SDR technology for multinational interoperabilitytechnology for multinational interoperability

NATO links to ESSOR, LOI etcNATO links to ESSOR, LOI etc

NC3ANC3ASupport NATO & Alliance on SDR Support NATO & Alliance on SDR Waveform porting, development & libraryWaveform porting, development & library

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Military and civil environmentsMilitary and civil environments

MilitaryMilitary CivilCivilCustomer baseCustomer base Limited, govtLimited, govt WidespreadWidespreadUser User reqsreqs of radioof radio VariedVaried Fairly staticFairly staticEquipment lifetimeEquipment lifetime 20 years20 years < 2 years< 2 yearsEquipment costEquipment cost HighHigh LowLowDevelopment timeDevelopment time 22--10 years10 years MonthsMonthsSecuritySecurity GovernmentGovernment Maybe someMaybe someRadio platforms Radio platforms VariedVaried LimitedLimitedTestingTesting National or Intl.National or Intl. CommercialCommercial

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Summary Summary -- militarymilitary

SDR is an implementation, standardising SDR is very SDR is an implementation, standardising SDR is very complex, but can give the military real benefitscomplex, but can give the military real benefits

SDR enables varied capability: SDR enables varied capability: reqsreqs are variedare variedNATO wireless architecture user NATO wireless architecture user reqsreqs & operational views& operational views

SCA exists as an accepted standardSCA exists as an accepted standardDevelopments still needed e.g. Interfaces and Developments still needed e.g. Interfaces and securitysecurityLong term, international management Long term, international management TBDTBD

S/w waveform library can aid interoperabilityS/w waveform library can aid interoperabilityNeed agreed Need agreed s/ws/w format format Distribution model Distribution model –– industry only, govt supported ?industry only, govt supported ?

Interoperability defined by testing, not standardsInteroperability defined by testing, not standards

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Questions Questions –– civil civil

What are the user requirements ?What are the user requirements ?Is SDR the optimum way to meet them ?Is SDR the optimum way to meet them ?

Will the stakeholders support widespread standards for radio Will the stakeholders support widespread standards for radio implementation / components ?implementation / components ?

NonNon--interoperability e.g. Interinteroperability e.g. Inter--systemsystem--interfaceinterfaceCan end users influence the market sufficiently ?Can end users influence the market sufficiently ?

Is interoperability best provided by a single AI standard ?Is interoperability best provided by a single AI standard ?GSM, TETRA GSM, TETRA

Who tests a reconfigured radio ?Who tests a reconfigured radio ?

Is civil SDR / CR about technology or interoperability ?Is civil SDR / CR about technology or interoperability ?BetamaxBetamax, , CDiCDi, Sinclair C5, Sinclair C5

Will CR benefit users or just make spectrum management easier ?Will CR benefit users or just make spectrum management easier ?

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Thank you Thank you

Michael.Street@nc3a.nato.intMichael.Street@nc3a.nato.int

+31 65 142 1275+31 65 142 1275

Further reading:Further reading:NATO Waveform library business modelNATO Waveform library business modelUser requirements for wireless communications in the land tacticUser requirements for wireless communications in the land tactical domainal domainAnalysis of Analysis of ““network readynetwork ready”” standards for network enabled capabilitystandards for network enabled capabilityRTO Lecture series on Emerging Wireless Technologies, 2007RTO Lecture series on Emerging Wireless Technologies, 2007