Cognitive Radio Technology

This project will research and develop enabling technologies for realizing a multi-functional Software Defined Radio based Cognitive Radio Network (SDR based CRN) capability, which will maximize spectrum efficiency by utilizing both unused and underused spectrum of opportunity. The “SDR based CRN” will minimize interference to the licensed primary users, and at the same time maintaining network Quality of Service (QoS) goals and maximize end-to-end objectives. Phase I of this project will research and develop techniques for identifying and sharing non-contiguous spectrum access opportunities and the presence of primary and secondary users to support non-contiguous OFDM (NC-OFDM) waveforms, develop cross-layer CRN algorithms that combine routing and spectrum management to achieve end-to-end objectives while maximizing spectral efficiency, define and evaluate a MAC layer protocol for cognitive radio networking based on existing research and the results of Phase I, and develop a plan for implementing the developed techniques on commercially available SDRs in Phase II. BENEFIT: The proposed solution – cross-layer compartmentalized CRN processes – can dramatically improve spectral efficiency (> 30 dB) and increase network capacity by a factor of 16. can theoretically be applied to the management and post-deployment optimization of wireless networks implementing any waveform. The processes could be applied separately or as a complete package to DoD SDR networks and many commercial networks. However, we believe the solution will see its greatest advantage over traditional network management solutions in high density networks, networks with rapidly changing environments, and networks where management is difficult - sensor networks (e.g., zigbee, WiMedia), mobile ad-hoc networks (almost exclusively military networks), vehicular networks (e.g., 802.11p), and consumer networks (e.g., WiFi, home gateways, and femtocells) where a large number of networks may coexist but yet are necessarily not centrally managed.