SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO SOLUTIONS
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND JTRS PUSH THE ENVELOPE
Mark R. Turner (Harris Corporation, Rochester New York; e-mail: mturner@harris.com)
ABSTRACT
Software Defined Radio (SDR) solutions are being
propelled forward through the evolution of several key
technologies and by U.S. Government initiatives, most
notably the Joint Tactical Radio System Program. This
paper focuses on the role of Component Based
Development (CBD) technology and the application of the
Joint Tactical Radio System CBD based open systems
architecture Software Communications Architecture on
secure, battery-powered platforms for military use.
Harris Corporation is a multi-level participant in the
Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Program, including
validation of the Software Communications Architecture
(SCA) for battery-powered, Man-pack radio (MPR)
platforms with a JTRS Step 2B contract. Results and
observations from the Harris JTRS Step 2B Program are
presented in this paper and also a description of current
ongoing activities with the Step 2B extension contract.
Harris Corporation is part of the winning JTRS Cluster 1
team for Ground/Vehicular and Airborne Systems. Harris
is also actively involved in the pursuit of subsequent
JTRS Clusters.
1. INTRODUCTION
Component Based Development (CBD) technology is
already having a profound impact on the ultimate success
of SDR initiatives, such as JTRS. The distinction between
computers and radios are becoming blurred, i.e., is it a
transmitter with a computer inside or a computer that
transmits? The division between hardware and software
continues to migrate at rapidly escalating rates. CBD
technology has the potential to become the “industrial
revolution” of software, promoting the advent of
interchangeable software parts, built to predefined
specifications. With respect to SDR solutions, the ability
to reuse existing software components across multiple
radio applications in an open framework, and the
encapsulation of hardware specific capabilities and
platform services through well-defined Application
Programmer Interfaces (APIs) will facilitate true
waveform portability both from practical application and
affordability perspectives.
The challenge of multi-band / multi-channel RF
technologies is exacerbated as the size of the platform
shrinks to the man-portable domain with batteries as the
primary power source. CBD technology can be used to
support sophisticated application of software filtering and
other interference management techniques, as well as
dynamic spectrum management in accordance with local
operational area requirements.
Information Security (INFOSEC) is a key
performance parameter for military SDR platforms. Re-
programmable INFOSEC is a key requirement for JTRS,
intended to ensure that certified platforms can accept new
cryptographic algorithms without hardware replacement.
INFOSEC technology can benefit from the use of trusted,
software components and applications, in conjunction
with the controlled execution of programmable security
policies. Special care must be taken using CBD
technology to ensure that component connections do not
violate security rules and policies across the red/black
boundary of the system.
The embedment of networking technology inside the
radio has enabled higher performance RF networking
solutions, such as Harris’ High Performance Waveform
and Internet Protocol (IP) implementation in the AN/PRC-
117F (C) MPR. CBD technology has the potential to
continue this networking performance improvement
through the logical interconnection of multiple traffic
channels, while managing associated routing and
cryptographic requirements.
2. JOINT TACTICAL RADIO SYSTEM
The objective of the Joint Tactical Radio System Program
is to define and acquire a family of multi-mode, multi-
band, programmable Software Defined Radios to increase
operational flexibility, enhance Joint and Coalition
interoperability, and reduce life cycle cost. These radio
systems will provide network-centric capabilities and
enable mission flexibility for the Department of Defense
(DoD) Joint Vision 2020.
As stated in the JTRS Operational Requirements
Document (ORD), the JTRS is required to provide
interoperability across all geographical and organizational
boundaries (both horizontal and vertical), so as to create
Proceeding of the SDR 02 Technical Conference and Product Exposition. Copyright © 2002 SDR Forum. All Rights Reserved