STTR Phase I: Enhanced Spectral Efficiency through Adaptive Utilization of Fragmented Spectrum

该小型企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目旨在通过开发能够在碎片化频谱带内运行的创新认知无线电（CR）通信系统来解决高吞吐量无线通信系统频谱稀缺的挑战性问题。由于无线通信系统的激增，保护这些产品通常需要的电磁频谱的大的连续频带变得越来越困难。为了解决这个问题，创新的训练和扩展波形合成技术，最先进的频域信道估计技术，以及频域均衡方法将被开发和应用。这些技术将首先在软件中实现，并对其性能进行严格评估。然后，这些技术将被移植到通用软件无线电平台（USRP）的硬件测试和评估。这种在硬件实现之前首先开发和验证软件的规范方法将有助于确保项目的成功。当项目成功完成后，无线通信的最新技术将在碎片频谱的开发方面取得进步，而拟议的系统将在硬件方面得到成功的证明。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是显着提高宝贵的电磁频谱的利用效率。事实上，在拟议的项目中采取的方法是能够建立和维护一个可靠的，高吞吐量的通信链路在破碎的频谱环境。该技术的主要应用是在最近建立的电视白色频带内工作的设备中。这种电视白色波段应用是无线和移动的互联网技术领域的成员。在这些频段运行的产品被设想为在为生活在农村地区的客户提供宽带接入方面发挥至关重要的作用。由于超过1800万美国人生活在该国的偏远地区，无法访问高速互联网连接，因此能够建立所述连接的技术在社会上是有益的，并且在商业上是可行的。该项目成功完成后，开发和实施的认知无线电技术将满足电视空白频段应用的迫切需求。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims at addressing the challenging issue of spectrum scarcity for high throughput wireless communication systems by developing an innovative cognitive radio (CR) communication system capable of operating within a fragmented spectral band. Due to the proliferation of wireless communication systems, it is becoming ever more difficult to secure large contiguous bands of electromagnetic spectrum which are typically required by these products. To tackle this issue, innovative training and spreading waveform synthesis technologies, a state-of-the-art frequency domain channel estimation technique, and a frequency-domain equalization method will be developed and applied. These technologies will first be implemented in software, where their performance will be rigorously evaluated. Then, the techniques are to be migrated to a Universal Software Radio Platform (USRP) for hardware testing and evaluation. This disciplined approach of first developing and validating the software prior to hardware implementation will aid in ensuring that the project is successful. Upon successful completion of the project, the state-of-the-art in wireless communications will be advanced in fragmented spectrum exploitation, and the proposed system will have been successfully demonstrated in hardware.The broader impact / commercial potential of this project is to dramatically improve the efficiency with which precious electromagnetic spectrum is utilized. Indeed, the approaches taken in the proposed project are capable of establishing and maintaining a reliable, high-throughput communication link in a fractured spectral environment. A major application for this technology is in a device operating within the recently established television white bands. This television white band application is a member of the wireless and mobile internet technology area. Products operating in these bands have been envisioned to serve a vital role in providing broadband access to customers living in rural areas. With over eighteen million Americans living in remote parts of the country with no access to high speed internet connectivity, technologies capable of establishing said connectivity are both socially beneficial, and commercially viable. Upon successful completion of the project, the cognitive radio technologies developed and implemented will fill a vital need in the television whitespace band application.