Cognitive Radio Spectrum Management and Waveform Adaptation for Advanced Wideband Space Communication Systems

ABSTRACT: Shared Spectrum Company (SSC) partners with Virginia Tech (VT) to develop resilient and agile space communication systems using innovative cognitive radio techniques. The objective of this STTR Phase II project is to develop anti-jamming capability using frequency agility provided by Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technology for satellite communications (SATCOM) systems. The SSC team focuses on implementation and testing of new satellite dynamic frequency and power allocation algorithms developed using game theory in Phase II by building a SATCOM testbed leveraging existing DSA radios and new components. This technology enables future protection and security for broadband SATCOM systems from existing and new hostile radio frequency (RF) threats. Additionally, our approach is a critical foundation toward supporting DoD operational needs, to support spectrum sharing, and to manage SATCOM networks quickly, efficiently, and securely. Improved spectrum management is a main priority and tenet of the DoD CIO Mobility Strategy. BENEFIT: DSA is a technology developed for terrestrial radio systems to create frequency agile radios and networks. DSA increases capacity by pooling and sharing of spectrum, and greatly increases the ability to escape jamming by use of frequency agility. DSA can be adapted to the SATCOM environment to offer immediate anti-jamming benefits via frequency agility.