SDR FORUM, VITA STANDARDS ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, Dec. 4, 2006 -- The Software Defined Radio Forum (SDR Forum) and the VITA Standards Organization (VSO) have announced that they will collaborate on software-defined radio specification activities underway at each organization.

The initial focus of the relationship will be in the area of Digital Intermediate Frequency (DigitalIF) data transport. DigitalIF defines the signal and control data that is passed between the radio frequency (RF) subsystem and the baseband signal processing subsystem of a software- defined radio. VITA is developing the VITA 49 standard, which defines this data transport and allows manufacturers of these two types of subsystems to utilize a common data transport protocol; thereby simplifying integration and facilitating interoperability. The SDR Forum's System Interface Working Group (SIWG) is also looking at DigitalIF; with a goal of defining the requirements for a common set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that can later be standardized.

Collaboration between the SDR Forum and VITA ensures that the API's (a set of routines, protocols and tools for building software applications) developed will fully support the VITA 49 standard, and provides a venue for VITA members to influence the API requirements. The SDR Forum is also examining the DigitalIF standards utilized by other industry associations operating in adjacent markets. This will ensure a robust API that fully addresses the needs of both VITA and SDR Forum members.

"VME technology played an early role in the development of software-defined radios," stated Ray Alderman, executive director of VITA. "VITA members quickly saw the need for a standard method to transport DigitalIF data over the various Gigabit-class data connections. The VITA 49 Working Group was established to address this need.

Software defined radios are currently used in defense, public safety and security, and commercial applications such as RFID readers.

"This is another in a series of liaison agreements that the SDR Forum has concluded with industry consortia that are important influences for our own membership," said SDR Forum Executive Director Allan Margulies. "These agreements amplify the effect that each organization has on its own. This close liaison activity will also provide benefits to SDR Forum members who are working in this area."

About VITA

VITA is an incorporated, non-profit organization of suppliers and users having a common market interest in critical embedded systems. Founded in 1984, VITA believes in and champions open system architectures as opposed to proprietary system architectures. VITA's activities are international in scope. The functions performed by VITA are technical, promotional and user related and are aimed at increasing the total market size, providing vendors with additional market exposure, and providing users with timely technical information. VITA has ANSI and IEC accreditation for the development of standards for embedded computers, including critical applications and harsh environments, to enable VITA to be the steward of VME technology. www.vita.com

About SDR Forum

The SDR Forum, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, is an international industry association dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of software defined radio systems that enable flexible and adaptable architectures in advanced wireless systems. Presently numbering more than 125 organizations, the SDR Forum's membership spans commercial, defense and civil government organizations, including wireless service providers, network operators, component and equipment manufacturers, hardware and software developers, regulatory agencies, and academia from Asia, Europe, and North America The SDR Forum's administrative office is headquartered in Denver. www.sdrforum.org

Return to: 2006 News Releases