Dynamically Sensing and Adapting Wireless Network

Policies regarding spectrum management have traditionally been driven by ease of implementation and a need to cater to the lowest level technology denominator. With the rapid growth of wireless communication systems, exponential in certain markets, management policies emphasizing efficient use of spectrum will become increasingly appealing. Additionally, technology will need to be developed to support these new policies. In this Phase II proposal, Toyon will discuss a proposed technical effort targeted to extending the operational capability of wireless systems through spectrum profiling and dynamic channel allocation (DCA) for interference avoidance. In particular, we will concentrate on the demand-assigned multiple-access (DAMA) satellite communications (SATCOM) system as a target platform. Additionally, we will discuss more general ad hoc communications systems that may coexist in a complementary manner. Toyon proposes to address technical issues related to deployment of control layers developed through our Phase I effort. Elements required for this goal include modeling and simulation as well as development of prototype hardware (antenna, transceiver, and terminal design). Looking towards the future of increased deployment of wireless systems, this Phase II effort will provide technology that will enable future systems to more efficiently exploit our limited natural resource of spectrum.