Design and Implementation of an Efficient Software Communications Architecture Core Framework for a Digital Signal Processors Platform

Abstract

Problem statement: The Software Communications Architecture (SCA) was developed to improve software reuse and interoperability in Software Defined Radios (SDR). There had been performance concerns since its conception. Arguably, the majority of the problems and inefficiencies associated with the SCA can be attributed to the assumption of modular distributed platforms relying on General Purpose Processors (GPPs) to perform all signal processing. Approach: Significant improvements in cost and power consumption can be obtained by utilizing specialized and more efficient  platforms. Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) present such a platform and have been widely used in the communications industry. Improvements in development tools and middleware technology opened the possibility of fully integrating DSPs into the SCA. This approach takes advantage of the exceptional power, cost and performance characteristics of DSPs, while still enjoying the flexibility and portability of the SCA. Results: This study presents the design and implementation of an SCA Core Framework (CF) for a TI TMS320C6416 DSP. The framework is deployed on a C6416 Device Cycle Accurate Simulator and TI C6416 Development board. The SCA CF is implemented by leveraging OSSIE, an open-source implementation of the SCA, to support the DSP platform. OIS’s ORBExpress DSP and DSP/BIOS are used as the middleware and operating system, respectively. A sample waveform was developed to demonstrate the framework’s functionality. Benchmark results for the framework and sample applications are provided. Conclusion: Benchmark results show that, using OIS ORBExpress DSP ORB middleware has an impact for decreasing the Software Memory Footprint and increasing the System Performance compared with PrismTech's e*ORB middleware.