Collaborative Research: Frequency-agile filterless software-defined radio

这项研究的目的是开发基本的无线电频率构件，使软件定义的无线电技术的开发能够证明普遍存在的可重新配置能力，从而提高连通性和保护自然资源。该方法基于射频电路与基带信号处理单元的协同工作，以获得高的平均功率效率和线性度。智能优点：将开发一种新的功率放大器工作原理，其中可调匹配网络与包络预失真器协同工作，以优化总体平均功率效率，同时提供线性射频发射功率。为实现杂散控制和频率捷变，将研制一种采用多相混频器和新型数字控制旋转行波振荡器相结合的新型无滤波上变频器。将实现示范试验台，以验证合作运营的理念。更广泛的影响：高能效和符合标准的无线技术将通过硬件重复使用节省能源和保护自然资源，从而产生深远的社会和经济影响。科学成果将在课堂和教育实验室、通过连接One NSF行业/大学合作研究中心和在科学期刊上传播。这项研究将通过培训无线技术人员来为无线行业提供重要支持。一半的研究活动将在北卡罗来纳农工州立大学进行，这是一所拥有大量本科生和研究生少数族裔人口的机构。将通过暑期实习和外展活动招募未被充分代表的少数族裔工程学本科生参与这一项目。

The objective of this research is to develop fundamental radio-frequency building blocks enabling the development of software-defined radio technology to demonstrate ubiquitous reconfigurability for increased connectivity and natural resource preservation. The approach is based on the cooperative operation of the radio-frequency circuitry with the baseband signal processing unit to achieve high average power efficiency and linearity. Intellectual Merit: A new power amplifier operating principle in which tunable matching networks work cooperatively with an envelope predistorter will be developed to optimize overall average power efficiency while delivering linear RF transmitted power. A new filter-less up-converter implemented using a polyphase mixer integrated with a new digitally controlled rotary traveling wave oscillator will be developed for spurious control and frequency agility. Demonstration testbeds will be realized to validate the cooperative operation concepts. Broader Impacts: Power-efficient and standard-compliant wireless technology will have profound societal and economic impact by saving energy and preserving natural resources through hardware reuse. The scientific results will be disseminated in the classroom and educational laboratories, through the Connection One NSF Industry/University Collaborative Research Center, and in scientific journals. The research will provide significant support to the wireless industry by training personnel for wireless technology. Half of the research activity will be conducted at North Carolina A&T State University, an institution with a large undergraduate and graduate minority population. Underrepresented minority undergraduate students in engineering will be recruited through summer internships and outreach activities to work on this project.