The Brevard Technical Journal

Software-defined radio technology company focuses on cost-effective solutions
By Anne Straub

Don’t expect John Bard to sit still for long.

The 45-year-old principal and owner of Space Coast Communications Systems is full of movement as he describes his software company and the broader implications of software-defined radio technology.

It’s no surprise that Bard could turn something as static as a conversation into something dynamic. In addition to running his company, Bard has led the technical committee of the industry’s SDR Forum, as well as co-authored a technical reference on software communications architecture.

He looks ready for the tennis court in his shorts and polo shirt. But despite the appearance of inexhaustibility, Bard admits he’s ready to turn his work at the forum over to a new chairman, and he’ll be happy to finish the book, due out in late fall.

The developments will leave more time for his family and for SCCS, which he started in 2001. The company focuses on cost-effective software solutions, particularly for makers of products containing embedded or distributed processors.

What really gets Bard going is the relatively new field of software-defined radio. Developed in the past decade and a major recipient of government funding for only about half that time, software-defined radio holds the potential for a variety of flexible solutions to issues in wireless communications.

Bard compares SDR to the operating system on a computer. The operating system enables the computer to run diverse programs and perform a variety of functions. Likewise, software loaded onto a wireless device could direct it to act as a CB, weather, marine or other type of radio. “It will be whatever you load onto it,” Bard said. The development effectively moves function from hardware to software, which is much less expensive and easier to update.

He’s been involved in the industry forum since before starting his company, serving on the board of directors and chairing the technical committee. “John has been a regular participant in the Forum’s annual technical conference with solid technical papers and presentations,” said Allan Margulies, executive director of the SDR Forum.

The technology has two major customers:

Military. The largest interest in SDR is coming from the U.S. military. Picture a tactical command center filled with radios. Different military branches have their own communications systems, so an order to an F-16 pilot might have to work its way through several systems before getting to its destination. The same scenario with SDR would allow various players to communicate directly by virtue of the software on their wireless devices.

Public safety. The media was full of stories after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks about how rescue workers from different agencies weren’t able to communicate with each other. Radios with software that could negotiate the protocols of different groups could eliminate that problem.

Of course, there’s often good reason – namely, security – that systems are encrypted. “No one ever said it would be easy,” Bard said of the challenge.

Commercial applications for the new technology are less apparent. It’s likely to be expensive, dampening interest in the cost-sensitive commercial sector. And introducing SDR flexibility by, for example, allowing cellular base stations to handle signals of competing providers, would seriously rock the world of large wireless companies who paid dearly for their slice of spectrum.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Bard was more fascinated by mathematics than computers. To him, the growth of computers was a godsend because they could do more math, really fast. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota, and moved to Brevard in 1987 for Florida Institute of Technology’s masters and doctoral programs. His dissertation involved the mathematical analysis of a NASA lightning detection system.

His work in the industry focused on government contractors, making him comfortable in that arena. After consulting for a while, he saw an opportunity to start a company after the government announced its intention to buy radio hardware separately from the software. Historically, the two had been coupled, knocking out small, start-up firms that wouldn’t be able to manufacture the radios. But with the two purchases separated, Bard saw a chance to get in on the software side and started SCCS.

The company employs five people, including Bard and his wife, Pam, who handles the accounting. SCCS operates out of offices at the Rialto Tower in Melbourne.

The two met through a bowling league and were married by their bowling captain, a notary public. “Since then, we haven’t bowled. Who’s got time?” Bard said. They have two daughters: Amela, 15, and Amanda, 13.

For more information on Space Coast Communications Systems please visit www.spacecoastcomm.com.