=======================================
PlanetEE Wireless Networks e-Newsletter
July 11, 2002
=======================================
Please see below for unsubscribe and address-change instructions.
Today's Table of Contents:
1. Viewpoint - Will Soft Hardware Dominate 3G Designs?
2. Adaptive Computing Machine Demonstration
3. Wireless Signal Processor Replaces DSP+ASIC
4. In-Depth Coverage Links
Signal Processors Get A Facelift
Wireless Solution Comes Home
5. Happenings
Enterprise Applications and Cellular Networks Meeting
Texas Instruments Developers Conference
Military Electronics Conference and Show (MES) 2002
6. Reader Responses
1. Viewpoint
Will Soft Hardware Dominate 3G Designs?
By John Blyler, Executive Editor
Any successful design of 3G baseband systems must support both
high-density data rates and extremely complex WCDMA or cdma2000
calculations. The current solution is to partition the problem
into hardware and software implementations, typically resulting
in some arrangement of DSP and ASIC chips.
One promising technology that addresses this challenge in a new
way is Morphic's Wireless Signal Processor (see "In-Depth
Coverage" section below). Another is a new class of silicon
device, sometimes called soft hardware, but more generally known
as an adaptive computing machine. The great advantage of ACMs is
that they can be reconfigured on the fly with very little power
consumption. Why use software when you can map a needed
computationally intensive WCDMA algorithm directly into hardware,
quickly and efficiently.
The blindingly fast speed - measured in microseconds - of these
new ACMs, plus the very low power requirements, set them apart
from traditional PLD technology. ACMs can be thought of as the
next logical evolution in traditional PLDs, representing a
completely new IC architecture and design methodology. More
importantly, ACMs fill a critical gap between fully programmable,
i.e., software intensive, and fully dedicated implementations,
like ASICs.
Quicksilver Technology has recently demonstrated a working and
commercially viable ACM. There are many advantages to
Quicksilver's ACM over traditional PLD and ASIC implementations,
especially in the 3G infrastructure and mobile multi-mode,
multi-band and multi-protocol markets.
What new technologies might replace the traditional FPGA + DSP +
ASIC solutions in 3G systems? Please send your responses to;
jblyler@penton.com
2. News
Adaptive Computing Machine Demonstration
An adaptive computing machine (ACM) silicon test chip, developed
by QuickSilver Technology, Inc., has obtained performance speeds
of three times that of a compatible ASIC chip. The demonstration
helps to validate the commercial viability of a software
programmable IC. In essence, the ACM performs like an ASIC, at
the speed of an ASIC, but is programmed by means of software -
dynamically configured at run time - versus the conventional
method of costly and time-consuming, fixed function ASIC silicon.
This benchmark demo focused on demanding areas of software
defined radio (SDR) wireless handset applications, a key target
market with critical need for high performance and low power
consumption.
lists.planetee.com
3. News
Wireless Signal Processors Replace DSPs
Morphics Technology has recently announced its integrated
hardware/software architecture for baseband processing in 3G
basestations and terminals. The new architecture combines a
high-level programming interface -- the Virtual Machine
InterfaceTM (VMITM) -- with a specialized wireless signal
processor (WSP) called the 3G Basestation ProcessorTM (3G-BPTM).
The highly efficient 64-channel processor utilizes a programmable
distributed dataflow architecture specifically engineered for 3G
baseband processing. The parallel data paths of the 3G-BP consist
of specialized processing units containing both function-specific
DSPs and parameterizable elements. These data paths deliver the
efficiency, scalability and flexibility demanded on a channel
card, including the ability for basestation manufacturers to
program their own estimation algorithms.
lists.planetee.com
4. In-Depth Coverage Links
This Wireless-Signal-Processing Technology Provides A New
Hardware-Software Architecture For 3G Baseband Processing. To
learn more, read "Signal Processors Get A Facelift".
lists.planetee.com
By Leveraging Bi-Phase-Modulated UWB Technology, This Chip Set
Achieves A High Data Rate And Low Power Consumption. To lean
more, read "Wireless Solution Comes Home"
lists.planetee.com
5. Happenings
Enterprise Applications and Cellular Networks Meeting
Marriott Courtyard, Bellevue, WA
July 16, 17, 2002
lists.planetee.com
This ongoing workshop of the Portable Computer and Communication
Association (PCCA) examines the use of VPNs and enterprise
applications with GPRS and CDMA2000 1XRTT. Hosted by Intel. GPRS
Network hosted by Voicestream. Chair: Peter Rysavy.
Texas Instruments Developers Conference
Westin Galleria Hotel, Houston, TX
August 6-8, 2002
lists.planetee.com
The Texas Instruments Developer Conference is the premier signal-
processing event, connecting developers with their peers and TI
engineers for three days of hands-on learning and innovation.
This event brings together industry leaders, developers, TI third
parties and educators to provide hardware, software and
application solutions, and product roadmaps in the real-world
signal processing community.
Military Electronics Conference and Show (MES) 2002
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
September 24-25, 2002
lists.planetee.com
MES is the venue for designers of military systems. It is the one
place where design engineers can learn more about the
technologies and products that impact their designs. MES will
present technical sessions on all levels of military component
and system design, including software simulation and test
techniques, and will offer an exhibition area for manufacturers
to showcase their latest hardware, software, and test equipment
for government and military applications.
6. Reader Responses
Comments regarding viewpoint editorial (6/25/02): Securing
Wireless Bridges In The Medical World
Thanks, John. Our IT manager was set on not needing to propose
VPN to HCA IT. Now I think he will have VPN proposal in his back
pocket when he talks to them. It would not be that expensive, we
have firewalls all over the network and probably could extend one
or two for at least one end of the bridge and maybe two ends of
this 3-way bridge. Plus good firewall boxes are not that
expensive any more. I always watch costs on these projects as
they can get out of hand very fast. Eample; Local hospital paid
over $80,000 for a Stratum wireless bridge less than a year ago,
with no real security on it aside from the cost. I'll send you
our next wireless question when I find one. Thanks, again. -- ES |
