FPGA? [scanned]

[Robert Michel]

Salve Paul!

On Wed, 06 Dec 2006, Paul Bohme wrote:

> Ole Tange wrote:
> >
> >That is exactly what the software radio is about.

> Making the main radio unit that accessible would also more than likely 
> get the phone into all kinds of regulatory issues, not to mention a 
> serious nightmare for carriers.  Have gone through bits of the testing 
> required to get a cell product on the market in the States, and it's
> not 
> easy (or cheap!) - nor do they look favorably on changes.

I would agree that GSM will be not the field for "software radio",
and also the AGPS chip, costs about 5 US-$ will be much more powerfull
and have internal know how that an open software radio can't compete.

> My original question remains: Why do this with a _phone_?  There are 
> more than likely plenty of other kits out there for this, why burden 
> something that's otherwise a dedicated device (granted one with quite a 
> bit of flexibility, but still) with lots of what has nothing to do with 
> its mainline function?

What is it's  "mainline function"? I think it will be MObile KOmmunikation.
During we hope that the phone will have Bluetooth (or Wi-Fi) WiMax is starting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimax 

And beside Bluetooth will be there RFID, PMR (446.0-446.1),
DMR(446.1-446.2), DECT (also data transmission via DECT)

There are many standards for mobile communication, instead of buying
new hardware, software could make the other protcols usable for you
- even for a hardwaresolution "software radio" to avoid having 3-4
tranceivers on a circuit board (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DECT, FM, AM, PMR...)

Some of this channels could give us *maybe* data broadcast for assisted
GPS for free (some day). So it belongs to the Neos mainline function.


Such a FPGA in central position on the circuit board would change
the design to massive - so this idea would be something for v2 or later.

But... with a FPGA on the board of v1 (or selfsoldered solution) could
let the development starts with the v1.


Greetings
rob