METHODS AND APPROACHES FOR ABSTRACTION OF HARDWARE DEPENDENCIES IN SOFTWARE RADIOS

This paper explores abstraction types and levels within the hybrid processor environment of the software radio in the context of NASA deployment of software radio systems. The premise is that abstraction of hardware is more complex than a layer between the drivers and Board Support Package (BSP) for a specific hardware element and the operating system. Due to the power constraints imposed by space flight, many waveforms implementation are driven towards Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) implementations. Consequently, hardware abstraction techniques and components must be applied to these processors as well. Furthermore, abstraction approaches must also be integrated with the safety and reliability requirements associated with human space flight. Recent advances in commercially available software will be discussed. The paper will close with a summary of the current landscape and technology areas that require further research.