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Defined Radio Takes Step Closer Interoperability Demo Shows SDR Devices From Different Manufacturers Can Communicate New Hartford, New York (August 11, 2003)In a step forward for the U.S. Department of Defenses (DoD) effort to replace its older, hardware-based tactical radios with newer Software Defined Radio (SDR)-enabled devices, two leaders in the field have successfully demonstrated interoperabilityseamless, real-time communicationsbetween different radio operating systems. This interoperability is a driving force behind the DoDs initiative to deploy SDR-enabled communications devices. Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) and Harris Corporations Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD) successfully performed an interoperability demonstration between their implementations of the Software Communications Architecture (SCA). Developed under the DoDs Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program with key input provided by the SDR Forum, the SCA is a set of specifications that describes the interaction between software and hardware components of an SDR and provides software commands to control its function. The SCA supports the JTRS mission to ensure that SDR devices from different manufacturers can effectively and efficiently communicate with each other. A reference implementation of the SCA version 2.1, developed by CRC with support from Canadas Department of National Defence, and under sponsorship from the SDR Forum, is available for free download at www.crc.ca/rmsc. We're very pleased that different SDR devices are proving compatible with the reference implementation that CRC has been developing, said Jack Rigley, vice president of Satellite Communications and Radio Propagation Research at CRC. The interoperability demonstration with Harris is a major step forward for the military and industry in raising confidence in SDR technology. The interoperability demonstration, which took place during the SDR Forums recently held general meeting in Chicago, consisted of CRCs Java-based SCA implementation and Harris C++-based SCA Domain Manager Toolkit. CRC and Harris engineers were able to rapidly connect each others radio modem hardware and control the deploymentstart, configure, stopof the applications using their software tools. The results of our interoperability demonstration with CRC is great news for the JTRS program and the organizations involved with providing tactical radios to the military, said Mike Zeitfuss, vice president, Optical Communications and Secure Systems Programs, Harris GCSD. In addition, these results could have a far-reaching impact on both the government and commercial wireless sectors. Although the SCA specification was originally developed by JTRS, it has been officially adopted by the SDR Forum and is being promoted to the Object Management Group as a possible international standard. "For the military, SDR is a transformational technology that allows the development of a truly interoperable family of radios that can communicate in any theater of operation with any allied force at any time," said Colonel Steven MacLaird, Joint Systems Program Director and Program Manager at the JTRS Joint Program Office. "Key to realizing the full potential of SDR is the SCA open architecture. We are extremely excited about the outcome of the CRC-Harris demonstration which successfully tested two uncoordinated developments by separate agencies building to a common SCA standard. This ad-hoc demonstration is another validation of the value of the SCA to the military, first responders and the entire SDR community." Highlights of the CRC-Harris interoperability demonstration: The SCA implementation used by CRC for the demonstration was an upgrade of the SCARI product developed for the SDR Forum. This SCARI2 product, a Java version of the SCAv2.2, along with a number of Graphical User Interface (GUI) tools to facilitate the development and deployment of radio communications waveforms will be commercially available by the end of summer 2003. For the demonstration, SCARI2 was operating under Windows XP, Java, and Java Orb. Harris GCSD also implemented its own version of the SCAv2.2 through its Domain Manager Toolkit (dmTK) version 2.2.1. The dmTK is in C++ and is commercially available. Harris also has a number of GUI tools as part of their dmTK product that facilitate the development, integration, and deployment of SCA-compliant radios. Information on dmTK may be requested via email at dmTK@harris.com. For the demonstration, dmTK was operating under Windows 2000, C++, and the ACE/TAO Orb. From the CRC platform, SCARI2 was able to: From the Harris platform, dmTK was able to: About Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) About Harris Corporation Harris GCSD, one of five divisions within Harris Corporation, conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces and supports state-of-the-art, assured communications and information systems that solve the mission-critical communications challenges of its military and government customers, while serving as the technology base for the company's diverse commercial businesses. Harris Corporation, which also provides tactical radio, broadcast, microwave, and network support products and systems, serves customers in more than 150 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com. About the Software Defined Radio Forum The Software Defined Radio (SDR) Forum is an international industry association dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of Software Defined Radio systems that enable flexible and adaptable architectures in advanced wireless systems. The membership of the SDR Forum spans commercial, defense, and civil government organizations, and includes wireless service providers, network operators, component and equipment manufacturers, hardware and software developers, regulatory agencies, and academia. Presently numbering more than 100 organizations, the SDR Forums membership includes major commercial wireless players from Asia, Europe, and North America. The SDR Forums administrative office is headquartered in New Hartford, New York. Additional information is available on the SDR Forum Web site at www.sdrforum.org. # # # Contact Information: Orest Dykyj Sleighton Meyer
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