Power-efficient SDR platform handles multimode 4G

Itay Lusky, Altair Semiconductor
9/11/2010 10:24 PM EDT

The mobile Internet era is spurring development of multiple 4G technologies; not just 3GPP-LTE, but other 4G standards, including Mobile WiMax 802.16e and Japanese XG-PHS, are gaining global footprints. The proliferation of multiple legacy 2G and 3G technologies magnifies the need for development of multimode devices, including chip sets that can process a variety of broadband technologies while handling high throughput at low power consumption.

The cellular market’s fragmentation raises the need for a programmable platform; indeed, development of a powerful yet power-efficient programmable platform is not a new idea. Not until now, however, have such platforms been both technologically feasible and cost-effective.

This article presents the fundamental concepts of 4G technologies; describes the challenges in developing an efficient 4G user equipment (UE) solution and explains why software-defined radio technology is an excellent means for implementing it efficiently; and describes a unique SDR architecture allowing a programmable, powerful yet power-efficient implementation.

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