FDI-SRP: Foundations for Design and Implementation of Software Radio Platforms
In this project, we are developing new computational models and architectures
for software radio applications. Our project is a collaborative project
involving research groups at the University of Maryland (UMD), George Fox
University (GFU), and Georgia Institute of Technology (GaTech).
OVERVIEW
Software radio promises substantial benefits to real-world systems by
making them more flexible, interoperable, and easily upgradeable. While
software radio systems have received considerable attention, many of the design
methods in use today are ad hoc. We are developing a principled approach that
works from models of computation through automated hardware/software synthesis
down to architecture-related cost models. Since software radio applications
center around manipulating various forms of signals, our approach emphasizes
new models and methods for efficient, reliable signal processing.
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
- Ruirui Gu, Hojin Kee, Mary Kiemb, Hsiang-Huang Wu, Dr. William Plishker,
Dr. Chung-Ching Shen, Prof. Shuvra Bhattacharyya (UMD)
- Prof. Gary Spivey (GFU)
- Dongwon Lee, Prof. Wayne Wolf (GaTech).
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS AND COLLABORATORS
Prof. Ed Deprettere (Leiden University), Dr. Johan Eker (Ericsson), Dr. Joern
Janneck (Xilinx), Dr. Jacob Kornerup (National Instruments), Prof. Trevor Mudge
(University of Michigan), Prof. Saibal Mukhopadhyay (GaTech), Dr. William
Plishker (UMD), Dr. Mickael Raulet (INSA-Rennes), Nimish Sane (UMD)
ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES
FUNCTIONAL DIF
We have been developing a unified framework, called functional DIF, for formal
modeling of signal processing systems based on dataflow graphs. Various
specialized forms of dataflow have been emerging that are targeted towards
different types of signals, constraints, and application characteristics. The
semantic range of signal-processing-oriented dataflow models has been
significantly enhanced through such efforts, but efficient simulation and
implementation for this expanding class of models has been limited.
We have shown how signal processing functions designed in other dataflow models
are directly supported by a unified framework that we are developing for
dataflow-based design. This framework is based on a novel form of
signal-processing-oriented dataflow model of computation called enable-invoke
dataflow (EIDF). EIDF-based modeling and functional DIF allow system designers
to quickly compose and simulate representations from different specialized
dataflow models, and perform rapid prototyping of static, quasi-static, and
dynamic scheduling techniques. We have demonstrated how this approach can be
applied to efficiently analyze and tune important trade-offs among different
models and implementations.
PARAMETERIZED SYNCHRONOUS DATAFLOW
We have been exploring the application of parameterized synchronous dataflow
(PSDF) for modeling, design, and implementation of wireless communication
systems. PSDF is a model of computation that results from integrating the
parameterized dataflow meta-model for dynamic parameter management and
reconfiguration with synchronous dataflow semantics. Using PSDF modeling
techniques, we have explored FPGA implementation of 3GPP-Long Term Evolution
(LTE), an important next-generation cellular standard. We have been
experimenting with these methods using the National Instrument's LabVIEW FPGA
design tool, a recently-introduced commercial platform for reconfigurable
hardware implementation.
We have also been developing a simulation tool for modeling and functional
simulation of DSP applications using the parameterized synchronous dataflow
(PSDF) model of computation. The simulation tool that we have been developing
builds on the functional dataflow interchange format (DIF) environment that we
have developed in our previous work. Our simulation tool allows designers to
model applications in PSDF and simulate their functionality, including use of
the dynamic parameter reconfiguration capabilities offered by PSDF. Based on
our simulation tool, we have also been developing a structured design
methodology for applying PSDF to the design and implementation of digital
signal processing systems, with emphasis on FPGA-based systems.
DATAFLOW BUFFER ANALYSIS
We have been exploring techniques for modeling and analyzing trade-offs between
buffer memory requirements and processing speed (throughput) in field
programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation of digital signal processing
(DSP) systems. Previously-developed techniques for such analysis suffer from
high computational complexity, which limits their potential for use on complex
application, and their incorporation into commercial design tools. By studying
the execution patterns of FPGA-based DSP system implementations, we have been
exploring novel ways of controlling execution and analyzing performance to
yield an efficient form of execution-pattern / performance analysis co-design.
PUBLICATIONS
A list of publications from the FDI-SRP project, and PDF versions of selected
publications can be found on the FDI-SRP
Project Publications Page.
SPONSORSHIP
This research is supported by the U. S. National Science Foundation under
grants NSF-0720596 (UMD), NSF-0720526 (GFU), and NSF-0720536 (GaTech).
DOCUMENT VERSION
This webpage was last updated on 07/30/2010.