Design and Implementation of a Portable Software Radio

The authors summarize the design and development of a portable software radio prototype built primarily using commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source software. Their research group leverages these prototypes for several funded projects focusing on issues including interoperable public safety communications, cognitive wireless networks, and educational initiatives. The device components include a General-Purpose Processor (GPP) on a small-form-factor motherboard, radio hardware, touch screen and LCD, audio microphone and speaker, and an internal battery enabling hours of mobile operation. They describe the selection of hardware and software components, identification and modification of the operating system, and development of an application-programming framework that augments the selected radio software.