We have proposed two types of software download methods for software radio (SR) based intelligent transport systems (ITS): (1) broadcasting-type software download method and (2) communication-type software download method. In this paper, we study their feasibility of their employment in a newly developed prototype. We give tangible examples of method (1) using the vehicle information and communication system (VICS) and method (2) using the dedicated short range communication (DSRC) system. We describe the download formats and procedures for both methods and use the experimental prototype to evaluate the basic software download time and configuration time. Moreover we also propose architecture of SR-based multimode terminal that can reduce download time and utilize over-the-air software download services by VICS and DSRC links.

In this paper, we newly developed a small-size software radio terminal that can realize global positioning service (GPS) navigation system, vehicle information and communication system (VICS), electronic toll collection system (ETC), AM/FM radio broadcasting services on middle wave (MW) and very high frequency (VHF) bands, FM multiplex broadcasting system, and several modulation schemes such as BPSK, ASK, QPSK, GMSK, and π/4QPSK by downloading software to realize each system from wired and wireless networks. The developed terminal realizes simultaneous multiple services when users would like to use several radio communication services in the driving situation by using our proposed multitask algorithm. The developed terminal has a size of 17.5 cm wide, 19.0 cm deep, and 5 cm high and worked at DC-12.0 V and around 2 A. The size and electrical power consumption are quite small and low and acceptable for consumers such as car drivers. In this paper, we introduce the configuration and proposed key technologies in our developed terminal and measure the software configuration time.

In this paper, a new configuration method of multimode software radio system by parameter controlled and telecommunication component block embedded digital signal processing hardware (DSPH) is proposed for the future flexible multimedia communications. In this method, in advance, basic telecommunication component blocks are implemented in the DSPH like DSP and FPGA. And, external parameters, which are simple but important information, change the specification of each block. This proposed method has the following features: i) People need to have only one mobile handset and select communication services as they like. ii) The volume of download software is reduced drastically in comparison with conventional full-download-type software radio system. iii) Since important component blocks have already been implemented into the DSPH except for some external parameters in advance, the know-how related to the implementation of DSPH never leak out. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed configuration method by using computer simulation and developed experimental prototype and comparing with full-download-type software radio system from the viewpoint of the volume of download software. Finally, we introduce several new software radio systems by using the proposed configuration method.