SPEAKeasy II-an IPT approach to software programmable radio development

Abstract

The concept of integrated product teams (IPT) that use to the greatest extent possible commercial technologies and practices has been demonstrated by the SPEAKeasy program to meet aggressive goals for the development of software programmable multiband multimode radio development. IPTs were put in place for management, systems, RF, modem, INFOSEC, internetworking, and control to develop an open architecture, simultaneous multichannel, multiband multimode software programmable/re-programmable networked and secure radio system that operates continuously and continuously in the radio spectrum from 2 MHz to 2 GHz. Within fifteen months after contract initiation from July 1995 to September 1996 the SPEAKeasy team demonstrated the first software embedded waveform on a 2-channel platform. This was achieved by using architectural principles from the PC community coupled with state of the art technology developments from the wireless communications community. After the first waveform was successfully demonstrated it was shown that additional waveforms could be integrated within the SPEAKeasy platform in a matter of a few days for each new waveform. In March of 1997 the SPEAKeasy MBMMR was shown to successfully interoperate with HF, SINCGARS, civil aviation, Have Quick II, and UHF SATCOM radios during Task Force XXI.