The Software Defined Radio (SDR) Forum conducts research to gain insight into wireless operator requirements for future basestation architectures
September 30, 2003
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- The Software Defined Radio (SDR) Forum announced that it is conducting research to gain crucial insight into wireless operator requirements for future base station architectures. It is anticipated that data collection and interpretation of the results will be completed and formalized in a report by early 2004.
The research initiative—believed to be the first of its kind in this specific area—is being coordinated by the Forum’s recently created Operator Market Requirements Study Group. To help facilitate the data collection process, the Forum is conducting detailed questioning and discussion sessions with operator representatives. In addition, the Forum has created an in-depth questionnaire which is being administered to operators throughout the world.
“We are working hard to ensure that not only do we collect data from operators representing all three ITU regions, but that we also include insight from operators ranging in size—large and small, regional and international,” said Bo Piekarski, chair of the SDR Forum’s Operator Market Requirements Study Group. “Although we are in the early stages of this research, operator response to our initiative has been positive.”
Operators interested in taking part in this research should contact Piekarski at [email protected] or 310-955-3830.
The first phase of the research initiative—data collection from wireless operators that are members of the Forum—is complete. Phase two—data collection from the rest of the operator community, will begin in October. It is anticipated that results will be tallied and interpreted by November, with a formal report and overview scheduled by early 2004.
The data collected to date reveals the type of insights, comments and information the SDR Forum was interested in obtaining, explained Piekarski, who is vice president of business development for TelASIC Communications—a developer of RF and analog mixed signal ICs for advanced wireless applications.
“In addition to collecting data on future base station architectures and terminals, we also hope to demonstrate the impact these new architectures may have on helping operators reduce costs, create new revenue opportunities, and reduce future investment risks,” said Piekarski. “And judging from the initial data, we are heading in the right direction to accomplish this.”
Observations based on the Forum’s initial data collection from wireless operator representatives who are members of the Forum include:
The majority responded that SDR has strategic importance to their organizations.
The majority see the need for an SDR-enabled handset. In fact, a significant number of positive comments were made by operators in regard to the role of SDR in handsets.
The majority believe that it would be beneficial to have the capability to dynamically allocate capacity from 2G to 2.5G to 3G.
More than half are interested in a radio infrastructure that can dynamically switch between air interfaces.
Half responded that the potential is high for deploying SDR in their networks.
Numbering more than 100 organizations, the SDR Forum’s membership includes major commercial wireless operators such as Cingular, NTT DoCoMo, Orange PCS, SK Telecom, Sprint, Telfonica, and TeliaSonera.
Software Defined Radio (SDR) Forum
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