SPARSE: Spectrum Planning and RF Situational Awareness for EW

ABSTRACT:The Air Force needs the capability for near realtime efficient use of spectrum allocation which presently cant be achieved because of the lack of a tool that can automate the spectrum planning process. Furthermore, current operational and tactical spectrum planning and management practices do not keep pace with the operational tempo. Cyberspace and space-based capabilities essential for U.S. operations and are also vulnerable to adversary capabilities with a low barrier to entry such as electronic jamming. Through many research and development (R&D) efforts have been conducted by DOD service branches to address this problem, the current solutions are still static plans that cannot be easily adapted to the dynamics in a theater. This situation results in a common problem of spectrum over-provisioning. This approach then weakens warfighters communication capability and wastes the valuable RF resources needed to succeed in current and future A2/AD EW environments. To address these needs and challenges, Intelligent Automation, Inc. proposes to develop a dynamic spectrum planning system that can assess electromagnetic interference and enable spectrum situational awareness and dynamic allocation of spectrum.BENEFIT:The proposed effort has tremendous potential in spectrum awareness and planning, C2 decision support, and optimum spectrum usage, which cannot be done by existing tools. The proposed solution adapts to dynamics in a theater and avoids spectrum over-provisioning. This capability will strengthen warfighters communication capability and achieve superiority in today or future A2/AD EW environments. For non DoD programs we see many potential opportunities to market our capabilities to broadband providers and other key spectrum users. It is estimated that 4G networks could account for more than $150 billion in GDP growth over the next few years. The rising popularity of streaming audio and video among smartphone users is contributing to the consumption of more than a gigabyte of data per month. Spectrum management will be critical in sustaining the projected growth and conserving scarce and expensive spectrum resources. The proposed capabilities will provide a means to help broadband providers make maximum use of available spectrum resources and dynamically respond to changing conditions during large gatherings or other unexpected but significant transient user behavior.