The proposed project aims to integrate and scale a wholly new software-defined radio (SDR) transceiver architecture, eridan's direct polar switch-mode transmitter in gallium nitride (GAN), within a 5G…

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded a $10,118,112.09 Project Grant to Skylark Wireless, LLC under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program (CFDA 11.038). The grant aims to integrate and scale a new software-defined radio (SDR) transceiver architecture, Eridan's direct polar switch-mode transmitter in gallium nitride (GaN), within a 5G new radio (NR) massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) system prototype. The project will advance the technology readiness level (TRL) from 4 to 5 and the manufacturing readiness level (MRL) from 1 to 4, positioning the systems and technologies to transition into commercial MIMO products for carrier and rural broadband applications. Skylark Wireless will lead the project, with Eridan providing the transmitter module and Iowa State University contributing to the development and testing using their agricultural and rural communities (ARA) platform.

Activities

The project is divided into four phases spread over 24 months: phase 1 kickoff & ramp (3 months); phase 2 prototype design (9 months); phase 3 prototype o-RU fabrication & lab tests (12 months); phase 4 prototype o-RU field testing & evaluation (12 months).

Expected outcomes

The project will develop the massive mimo open radio unit SDR transceiver innovation from technology readiness level (TRL) 4 to TRL 5, and manufacturing readiness level (MRL) 1 to MRL 4. After completion, the systems and technologies developed in this project will be well positioned to transition into commercial massive mimo products across a range of carrier and rural broadband applications as the transceiver technology becomes more integrated.

Intended beneficiaries

Mmimo systems ? Subrecipient activities: eridan will provide its transmitter module to skylark and aid in the integration of the massive mimo o-RU. Iowa state university will play a crucial role in the development and testing of the project outcomes using their agricultural and rural communities (ARA) platform.