Software defined radio for smart utility networks

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a software defined radio (SDR) platform that can be used to implement the IEEE 802.15.4g standard for low data rate wireless smart utility networks (SUN). The SUN standard supports multiple wireless band plans, defines multiple physical (PHY) layers: FSK, OFDM and O-QPSK, each supporting a large number of data rates. Because of the flexibility allowed in the standards, an SDR approach provides the greatest flexibility in implementing the standard. We propose to use the SDR platform based on Texas Instruments C28x 32-bit MCU platform and a sub-1GHz CC1260 low power integrated radio. This platform may be used for both the smart e-meter as well as the data concentrator. We begin the paper by providing an overview of the different PHY layers and enumerating the common elements across all PHYs for both the transmitter and receiver. Next, we discuss a partitioning between software and hardware that provides the flexibility without sacrificing efficiency. Finally, we provide the details of a hardware accelerator incorporated into the C28x architecture (VCU II) that can simplify many of the complex tasks associated with these PHYs.

Enhanced software defined meter for smart utility networks

“…allow the adoption of SDR paradigm also for commercial devices, as reported in [24]. As already stated, advantages are evident, including improved flexibility, scalability and robustness.…”

Inexpensive SDR-based longwave radio controlled clock for time dissemination in industrial wireless sensor networks

“…In such reconfigurable systems, only the analog front-end(s) must be tailored according to the actual wireless link specifications; all the processing stuff can be shared among the many implemented technologies/standards, thus lowering the overall cost. Indeed, several manufacturers start to adopt similar approach for the realization of transceivers for wireless smart metering applications, as shown in [7].…”