What is the SCA?

The Software Communications Architecture, or SCA, provides a set of specifications “that facilitate portability, interoperability and configurability of the software and hardware components used in the manufacturing of radio systems”[1]. The original technologies for these specifications were developed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with the first public release of a consolidated specification occurring through the Forum’s Technical Report Version 1.0 in 1997 as the “Software Radio Architecture (SRA)”[2]. The SRA architecture was matured in the Forum’s Technical Report Version 2.1 entitled ““Architecture and Elements of Software Defined Radio Systems as Related to Standards”[3], and was further matured by the members of the Modular Software Programmable Radio Consortium (MSRC), working in cooperation with the Forum’s Mobile Working Group into what became the Joint Tactical Radio System Software Communications Architecture (JTRS SCA).

In 2002, the Forum abandoned support of the SRA in favour of the publically available SCA release adopted by the JTRS Program.  Since that time, the Forum has been active in supporting the evolution of the SCA and related specifications around the world.

• API Position Paper (SDRF-03-R-0005-V1.0.0)
• Submission to JTRS JPO from SDR Forum regarding DSP and FPGA portability standardization effort (SDRF-04-R-0003-V1.0.0)
• SDRF Change Proposals and Comments on JTRS SCA 3.0 Specialized Hardware Supplement (SDRF-05-R-0001-V1.0.0)
• Comments on Software Communications Architecture Specification Version 2.2.2 (SDRF-06-R-0012-V1.0.0)
• Request for Information Regarding Reference SDR (SDRF-06-RFI-0007)
• SCA Test and Evaluation Request for Information (SDRF-07-RFI-0017-V1.0.0)
• Endorsement of JTRS SCA 2.2.2 (SDRF-08-R-0006-V1.0.0)
• Test and Certification Guide for SDRs based on SCA - Part 1: SCA (SDRF-08-P-0007-V1.0.0)
• Support for “Three Category” Approach for Software Communications Architecture (SCA) Standards (WINNF-09-R-0023-V1.0.0)

In 2009, the Forum was designated as the Public Liaison for the development of the “SCA Next” architecture, and began working with the international community to provide input to this next evolution of the SCA Specification[4]. Documents submitted to the JTRS SCA Next Working Panel as the Public Liaison include 5 requests for comment and 3 recommendations as follows:

In 2010, the Forum underwent an Organization Transformation that included the formation of a Coordinating Committee on International SCA Standards (CC SCA)[5]. The mandate of the CC SCA is to support the harmonization of the SCA standards in the first category at the international level for the mutual benefits of all stakeholders to include:

• Defining an industry driven SCA evolution roadmap for the international community
• Profiling the SCA specification and related APIs to define internationally accepted variants that are hosted by the Forum
• Developing extensions to the SCA standards that address any gaps between the defined SCA evolution roadmap and Forum accepted SCA specification variants
• Providing implementation and certification guides, tools etc. easing implementation and supporting proliferation
• Establishing and managing industry led certification programs where appropriate

Click here to access the Forum’s Coordinated SCA Based Standards Portfolio

References:

[1] http://data.memberclicks.com/site/sdf/CC%20SCA%20Charter%20V1%200%200%20%2025%20May%202010%20-%20Final.pdf

[2] http://groups.winnforum.org/d/do/2991 and http://groups.winnforum.org/d/do/2992

[3] http://groups.winnforum.org/d/do/1725

[4] http://sca.jpeojtrs.mil/_downloads/JPEO-NR-2009-005.pdf and  http://sca.jpeojtrs.mil/_downloads/JPEO-NR-2010-004.pdf 

[5] http://data.memberclicks.com/site/sdf/SDR_Forum_2010_to_2014_Strat_Plan.pdf