RF Engines Limited (RFEL) has recently been contracted
by the Naval Systems Department of Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl), an agency of the
UK MoD, to carry out a study into advanced FPGA based signal
processing architectures.
The study focused on the application of mixed-radix FFT
architectures and their efficient implementation on FPGA
devices for various applications including a very wideband
receiver system capable of detecting, characterising and
direction finding a variety of types of radio signal.
Mixed-radix FFTs adopt non-power-of-two techniques in
order to exactly match the number of points required for
the application.
In carrying out the study, RFEL made use of its
significant expertise in the design of frequency
transformation architectures and their efficient
implementation in FPGA devices. The company had previously
designed and implemented several mixed-radix cores to meet
requirements for non-power-of-two length DFTs (discrete
Fourier transforms).
The study also investigated the requirements for storage
of data, the impact on target hardware, as well as the
physical implementation of the cores on COTS hardware
platforms. The incorporation of other post-processing
blocks into the FPGA also formed part of the study.
John Summers, RFEL’s CEO, commented, “We are obviously
very pleased to be doing this sort of work for the MoD, and
looking forward to this work being pulled through into end
product very quickly. The benefits of this approach are the
ones that you’re always seeking – lower cost equipment for
the end customer and also achieving a significant improvement
in operational performance - both in one hit.”
Peter Beharrell, EW Fellow at the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory (Dstl), said, “RFEL conducted a
timely and thorough study into our DSP requirement. The
study contributed significantly to a favourable overall
concept assessment.”
RF Engines
RF Engines Limited (RFEL) is a UK based designer,
providing high specification signal processing cores,
system on chip designs, and FPGA based board solutions for
applications in the defence, communications and
instrumentation markets. These applications include
base stations, wireless and wireline broadband
communications systems, satellite communications systems,
test and measurement instrumentation, as well as defence
systems. More specifically, RFEL is a solutions
provider for projects requiring complex front end, real
time, wide and narrow band, flexible channelisation.
RFEL provides a range of standard cores covering multiple
FFT and unique PFT techniques, as well as system design
services for specialist applications.
For further information, please see the website at
www.rfel.com
or contact RF Engines at Innovation Centre, St Cross Business Park,
Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5WB, Great Britain.
Tel +44 (0) 1983 50330.
E-mail info@rfel.com
Dstl
Dstl - the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, is
the centre of scientific excellence for the UK Ministry of
Defence, housing one of the largest groups of scientists
and engineers in public service in the country. Dstl has
the brief to ensure that the UK Armed Forces and Government
are supported by world-class scientific advice. Dstl delivers
defence research, specialist technical services and the ability
to track global technological developments. Its capabilities
compare with the best in the world, supporting procurement decisions,
defence policy making and operations.
Press information and illustrations can be obtained from
Nigel Robson, Vortex PR, Island House, Forest Road,
Guernsey, GY8 0AB, Great Britain. Tel +44 (0) 1481 233080.
E-mail nigel@vortexpr.com