Demo: A Software Defined Radio Platform for Rapid Cross-Layer Prototyping

Abstract

In the research community there exists a large amount of high quality wireless protocols and physical layer algorithms. However, single layer performance improvements are decreasing compared to cross-layer optimizations. These optimizations have more degrees of freedom and therefore allow for greater improvements. Sadly, there are no platforms that allow easy prototyping of these cross-layer optimized systems. To tackle this problem we present CLAWS (Cross-Layer Adaptable Wireless System), which combines a powerful FPGA based SDR with a fully standard compliant IEEE 802.15.4 stack. Combined to form a very flexible platform with easy access to all layers of the network stack. To show its performance we have developed a demonstrator that shows how CLAWS can interoperate with a network of off-the-shelf wireless sensor nodes. Moreover, using this powerful and easy to use platform, we've implemented a cross-layer improvement, where all nodes are able to send on different frequencies at the same time to the CLAWS node.