Situational Awareness through Multi-layer Spectrum Sensing and Network Design

ABSTRACT: We present a comprehensive framework for shaping, inferring, and optimizing information flows for dynamic spectrum access (DSA) in cognitive radio (CR) networks. A principal goal is to develop methods for modeling, design, and analysis of spectrum sensing and control, by leveraging and advancing network coding and network optimization solutions. More specifically, we study spectrum management, in the context of dynamic CR networks with multiple classes of user priorities, from the following two perspectives: 1) Network coding as information shaper for managing information dynamics to fit information flows into available spectrum resources across time, space, and frequency, 2) Network coding as network spectrum analyzer to capture and adapt state-aware information flow distributions beyond static network properties. For efficient spectrum utilization and QoS provisioning, we study multi-resolution network coding under dynamic effects of physical channel, overhead, and queueing, to utilize the geometry of information flows and stochastic packet traffic. The proposed framework formulates DSA functionality as a networking capability beyond specific spectrum access technologies, and offers a general solution of dynamically shaping, inferring and optimizing the available network resources to improve situational awareness and to achieve the ultimate goal of cyber superiority in spectrum access. BENEFIT: The proposed framework provides a systematic solution to efficient spectrum management with enhanced situational awareness. We expect to produce a comprehensive architecture of network shaping and inference algorithms using network coding and optimization tools, and present a thorough wireless evaluation mechanism combining flexible software and realistic hardware performance. These modeling and design guidelines can be applied to a broad range of military networks including war-time command and control, real-time surveillance network, homeland security, etc. Other potential commercial applications include border and coast patrol, law enforcement agency, emergency control center and various civil applications. In essence, the product resulting from this effort will be applicable to virtually all dynamic networks. The market is quite large and still developing, since there is no systematic mechanism for DSA functionality that can be realized through the capture and management of dynamic network states. The aggregated commercial market size can go beyond military applications. IAI is more than a"think tank", and we have actively pursued with our partners the application of our technologies into actual products in the past. For this proposed effort, in particular, we strongly believe that our work provides the solution needed in practice, and we will invest significant amount of efforts and internal funding to develop the network shaping, inference, and optimization mechanism in the long-run. It is also reasonable to expect a source of revenue from service contracts related with the actual development of such product of systematic network modeling and design tools. In addition, IAI will closely work with our partners and collaborator companies such as Boeing, Lockheed, BAE systems, Raytheon, and Telcordia to transfer this technology into the military and commercial world.