Cognitive Radio Capability for Software Defined Radios

Cognitive Radio (CR) technology can improve management of the RF environment by providing better visibility of the RF environment, facilitating spectral congestion and interference detection, and allowing automatic reconfiguration to mitigate the effects of interfering signals. A CR is defined as a system that senses and is aware of its operational environment and can dynamically, autonomously, and intelligently adjust its radio operating parameters. A CR embodies three concepts: 1. Characterization of its operating environment. 2. Real-time adaptability of its operational parameters. 3. Capability to remember and learn from past experiences. Employing these concepts inherent in CR is imperative to the future of both DOD and commercial wireless communications and efficient utilization of our RF spectrum. Next generation communications will be based on Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology and will employ techniques to monitor and modify in real time its critical parameters to adapt to a changing operating environment. These critical parameters will include frequency agility, modulation, and transmit power control. In addition, next generation communication systems will be required to incorporate technologies to provide a high level of network security drawing from all available means - hardware, software, computer, or even waveform signatures. These enhancements can be achieved via Cognitive Radio technologies.