In this paper we present our vision of the Software Radio (SR) concept. To the author's knowledge this vision of an Intelligent Re-configurable Network encompasses and adds to the main SR concepts presented to date, namely SWSDR, Re-configurable radio systems and networks, and Cognitive radio. The newly proposed architecture and supporting technology provides a flexible way to introduce re-configurability into any network node and protocol layer of a network fixed or mobile, while simultaneously providing a structured framework in which re-configurability can be introduced and hence networks can evolve. This concept has provided a solid foundation and plays a central role in providing a suitable context in which to examine reconfigurabilty issues in the Mobile Terminal and Base Station. We believe that this concept has the potential to help the telecommunications industry in facilitating; the introduction, development and harmonization of reconfigurability within existing and future fixed and mobile networks. |