Evolution and standardization of the smart antenna system for software defined radio

Transitioning proprietary or legacy software defined radio networks to open architectures, while often complicated, is increasingly critical to improve the interoperability and compatibility among SDR networks and the subsystems within those networks as well. With this in mind, two consortia, the SDR Forum and the Object Management Group, have teamed to define an open Smart Antenna specification. This specification defines a model (including an API) that simplifies the integration of an SA subsystem into a traditional SDR network. The specification is called the "Platform Independent Model (PIM) and Platform Specific Model (PSM) for the Smart Antenna" or "SA API specification". This article introduces the SA API, which provides a standard model and standard service of the SA system operating in SDR networks.