Architecture and protocol for software defined radio system

Apparatus for supporting coexistence between a first wireless communication mode and a second wireless communication mode, the apparatus comprising:

• a hardware module;
• a software module for implementing at least one set of protocols for each communication mode;
• and
• an interface between the hardware module and the software module.

A method for switching from a first wireless communication mode to a second wireless communication mode, in a single device, using software defined radio (SDR) control, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a host domain including an upper layer protocol for the first communication mode, an upper layer protocol for the second communication mode and an SDR control layer;
• b) providing an embedded domain including a lower layer protocol for the first communication mode, a lower layer protocol for the second communication mode and an SDR control layer;
• c) sending an SDR message from the SDR control layer in the host domain to the SDR control layer in the embedded domain, the message commanding the embedded domain to switch from the first communication mode to the second communication mode;
• and
• d) switching, in the embedded domain, from the first communication mode to the second communication mode.

A method for performing, using software defined radio (SDR) control, a software upgrade in a device, the device supporting coexistence between a first wireless communication mode and a second wireless communication mode, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a host domain including an upper layer protocol for the first communication mode, an upper layer protocol for the second communication mode and an SDR control layer;
• b) providing an embedded domain including a lower layer protocol for the first communication mode, a lower layer protocol for the second communication mode and an SDR control layer;
• c) sending software upgrade data from the SDR control layer in the host domain to the SDR control layer in the embedded domain;
• and
• d) upgrading the software.