SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project consists of the research and development of a comprehensive, integrated multi-layer solution for cognition enabled dynamic spectrum access wireless communications. Several spectrum measurement studies indicate that valuable radio spectrum is severely underutilized. This has resulted in time and geographical region specific spectrum holes or white spaces. The intellectual merits of this project consists of the following technical objectives: (a) development of sensing algorithms to identify unused or underused spectrum in real-time by optimally trade-off sensing accuracy for delay; (b) design of a medium access control protocol that will enable dynamic spectrum access based on the information provided by the sensing algorithms; (c) development of a multi-network communication protocol to enhance spectrum access; and (d) cross-layer optimization of these protocols to significantly improve the data rate while achieving the application delay constraints. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be in the understanding of practically achievable performance of cognitive dynamic spectrum access wireless networks. Highly accurate models and simulation tools for designing cognitive wireless networks will be developed. These will be very valuable to the technical and practitioner communities. The proposed technology will lead to interoperable wireless public safety communications, low cost rural broadband connectivity in television white spaces, and infrastructure for robust mobile video applications. The combined market size for these sectors is estimated to be several billion dollars, globally.

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project targets a practical dynamic spectrum management (DSM) architecture and a corresponding suite of innovative multi-layer algorithms, development of a DSM enabled multi-radio router and pilot trials for public safety communications. Dynamic spectrum management and access are two important areas of interest to wireless communications researchers, spectrum regulators, and international standardization bodies. DSM plays several important roles, including: (a) improving spectrum efficiency to alleviate the wireless spectrum crunch; (b) providing prioritized, inter-operable communications for first responders during emergencies; and (c) reducing cost for wireless access, and (d) improving the reliability and security of wireless communications. In this project, statistical estimation and decision algorithms are proposed for measurement driven real-time spectrum management at the physical/medium access control (PHY/MAC), network and application layers. Using agile software stack implementation and hardware integration a completely working DSM system will be demonstrated based on these ideas. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be a better understanding of DSM related applications, regulatory policies and technical challenges in real-life mobile wireless networks. Impact on state-of-the-art technologies for resilient and interoperable public safety communications, especially during emergencies, is also expected. Findings from the pilot trials will contribute to the body of knowledge in interference mitigation, spectrum sharing, mobile data offloading and supporting reliable mobile multimedia applications. Taken together, these markets constitute a multi-billion dollar opportunity for DSM technologies.