Dynamically Sensing and Adapting Wireless Network

Recent spectrum study shows that while the available spectrum becomes increasing scarce, the assigned spectrum is significantly underutilized. In this project, we propose an integrated effort to develop a new radio technology capable of dynamically sensing and locating the unused spectrum and communicating using the unused spectrum in a way that causes no harmful interference to the designated users of the spectrum. Such a spectrum sharing technology is usually referred to as a cognitive radio technology. Specifically, in Phase II of the effort, we propose to develop the cognitive radio technology for the TV bands where the spectrum usage has been especially inefficient. This Phase II effort will coincide with FCC’s recent endeavor to open the TV bands for unlicensed spectrum sharing. A number of innovative technologies developed in the effort, e.g. wideband high-linearity transceiver, parameterized and flexible baseband architecture, network-assisted sensing, and adaptive interference control, will be crucial to TV-band spectrum sharing or spectrum sharing in general. Most of the technologies developed will also find extensive use in future military radio systems. The end result of the Phase II effort will be a TV-band cognitive radio prototype that will be validated through a field trial.