Architecture analysis for a communications signal processor

Considerations are given for the architecture design tradeoffs for a highly sophisticated set of functions in a communications signal processing system. From a concise statement of the functional requirements for the system Tuner, Spectrum. Analysis, and Demodulator subsystems, an indication of the necessary capabilities, in terms of the number of complex operations per second, is derived. In light of these constraints, comparisons are made of implementations in computer software, computers controlling array processors, and special purpose hardware. The special purpose hardware dictated by the requirements is described in terms of available components and ultimate subsystem configuration.