Channel coding application for cdma2000 implemented in a FPGA with a Soft processor core

Abstract: With today’s FPGA’s it’s possible to implement complete systems in a single FPGA. With help of Soft Processor Cores like the MicroBlaze processor several microcontrollers can be implemented in the same FPGA. The third generation telecommunications system, cdma2000, has several channels, which has specific assignments. The Sync channel purpose is to attain initial time synchronization. The purpose with this thesis has been to implement the Sync channel in a FPGA with use of a MicroBlaze processor. An evaluation of the concept of using a Soft Processor Core instead of ordinary DSP’s and microcontrollers would then be conducted. This thesis has resulted in a system with a MicroBlaze processor that has the Sync channel as a peripheral. It’s possible to write information via HyperTerminal to the MicroBlaze processor which then uses this data as input to the Sync channel. The Sync channel then modulates the data according to the cdma2000 specifications and then outputs it onto an external pin at the FPGA. The evaluation of this concept hasn’t resulted in a general recommendation whether to use ASIC or FPGA’s in a system. The concept of using Soft Processor Cores certainly has its benefits and is something that could be thought of in the future when designing a system.