RF Engines Limited (RFEL), the UK-based
signal-processing specialist, and Rheinmetall Defence
Electronics (RDE) GmbH, Germany’s leading defence
technology company, have released details of a recently
signed major contract.
The contract relates to the supply and integration of
complex high-speed FPGA signal processing designs for an
advanced flexible communication channeliser and a 52MHz
real-time spectrum analyser. Both designs will be
housed on the same hardware platform. Specific
details of the application are restricted.
The customised system-on-chip designs are based upon
RFEL’s unique range of specialist architectures, and
the contract includes the integration of the designs into
the system hardware.
The channelisation system divides up the wideband input
signal into hundreds of narrower band channels for
subsequent demodulation and analysis, and utilises RF
Engines’ unique, patented, tuneable
architectures. The system allows the user to
independently tune the centre frequency of each channel,
and select from different filter shapes and bandwidths in
order to adapt the system in a changing signal
environment.
The focus of the design is silicon efficiency
– with the entire channelisation function
implemented on a single FPGA device. This high
level of integration has provided RDE with a dramatic
upgrade to its existing channelisation system, which
requires many dedicated ASIC chips on several boards to
perform the same function.
In addition to the channeliser core, RFEL is also
supplying an FPGA based spectrum analyser core and the
associated display software for the same platform.
This core utilises RFEL’s high-speed real-time Fast
Fourier Transform (FFT) technology to provide a 52MHz
continuous bandwidth capability. During initial set
up of the communications system, the spectrum analyser core
can be loaded into the hardware and a spectral display is
provided using a PC based application. Providing this
additional capability on the same hardware platform means
that a separate spectrum analyser instrument will not be
required during set up of the system. The real-time
performance of the FPGA based spectrum analyser also allows
short duration signals to be analysed in more detail than
with a conventional swept spectrum analyser instrument.
John Summers, RFEL’s CEO, commented, “We are
very pleased to be working with RDE again on such a major
programme. RFEL has significant experience at both
the system and at the chip level in this sort of
communications monitoring application, and so it is a
particularly interesting and enjoyable project. RDE
has a very clear vision of what they and their customers
require, so consequently the teams work together extremely
well.”
Jürgen Prüsse, VP Marketing and Business
Development for RDE commented, “This is an important
project which is technically challenging across all
elements of the design. We are confident that we will
deliver the most advanced system of its type to our
customer on schedule, and also have great confidence in the
supply of the key technologies to complement our in-house
skills. RFEL has proven capabilities in this highly
specialist area and we look forward to further growing our
long-term relationship with them over many years as we do
with our other key suppliers.”
RF Engines Limited
RF Engines Limited (RFEL) is a UK based
signal processing specialist, 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, signal intelligence and surveillance systems.
More specifically, RFEL is a solutions
provider for projects requiring complex front end, real
time, wide and narrow band, flexible channelisation. The
company provides a range of standard cores covering
multiple FFT, polyphase DFT and proprietary PFT techniques,
as well as system design services for more 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 550330. E-mail info@rfel.com.
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.
RDE -- Europe's leading supplier of land
forces systems
Rheinmetall DeTec AG is the holding company for all
defence technology activities of the Rheinmetall Group.
United under the banner of Rheinmetall DeTec are a number
of leading defence contractors which have now been welded
into a powerful corporate unit: a group of companies
characterised by longstanding experience, innovative
strength and extensive competence in the field of ground
forces technology.
Operating around the world, the 8,800-strong staff of
Rheinmetall DeTec's affiliates and associated companies
generate annual sales of around EUR 1.7 billion. This makes
Rheinmetall DeTec one of the largest and most important
defence technology companies in Europe. As a reliable
partner of the armed forces of Germany, its allies and
other likeminded nations, Rheinmetall DeTec makes a
significant contribution to safeguarding world peace.
Typical display of the Advanced Spectral Display
Software (ASDS) provided by RF Engines
(The display provides system configuration control, 2D
and 3D views of the spectrum, and access to controls for
storing of data. Normal controls for peak hold, zooming and
manipulation of the spectral views are also provided)