CCF: Small: Online Learning and Exploitation of the Radio Frequency Spectrum with Sub-Nyquist Sampling

该项目将缩小技术差距，使认知无线电接收器能够在线探索无线电频谱，使用最先进的模数转换形式，即有限创新率（FRI）采样，再加上最先进的学习技术。我们计划使用多臂盗匪（MAB）问题的完善框架，该框架模拟了认知无线电代理的情况，该代理同时尝试获取新知识并基于先前所学的知识优化其决策。我们的主要贡献在于将该框架与这种新颖的模拟到数字接收器前端相结合，采样率低于所谓的奈奎斯特极限，自适应地调整采样结构中的参数，以在比以前认为可能的频率范围更宽的频率范围内感知频谱机会，特别是低于可实现的近视范围，无需自适应。我们的研究结果是一个认知传感器的内聚系统模型，它被赋予了一个决策引擎，不仅可以优化采样的内容，还可以优化如何采样模拟信号，利用它在寻找频谱洞方面的预期成功。该项目将探索整体架构的复杂性，并最终评估认知MAB-FRI接收器的潜在优势。通过使学习算法更接近于直接管理与物理世界的数据采集接口，该研究在各种相关的传感问题中具有广泛的意义。该项目还将包括让学生在课堂上展示本研究中使用的基本数学工具的活动，以及有助于推进适应性系统广泛领域的研究项目中的少数群体。

This project will close technical gaps to enable cognitive radio receivers to explore the radio frequency spectrum online, using the most advanced form of Analog to Digital conversion, referred to as Finite Rate of Innovation (FRI) sampling coupled with the most advanced learning techniques. We plan to use the well-established framework of the multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem, which models the situation of a cognitive radio agent that simultaneously attempts to acquire new knowledge and to optimize its decisions based on what it has previously learned. Our main contribution lies in combining this framework with this novel Analog to Digital receiver front-end, sampling rate below the so called Nyquist limit, adaptively tuning parameters in the sampling structure to sense spectrum opportunities over a much wider range of frequencies than was previously considered possible, and specifically further below what is attainable myopically, without adaptation. The outcome of our study is a cohesive system model for a cognitive sensors, endowed with a decision engine that can optimize not only what to sample but also how to sample analog signals, leveraging on its expected success in finding spectrum holes. The project will explore the complexity of the overall architecture and, ultimately, evaluate the potential benefits of a cognitive MAB-FRI receiver. By moving learning algorithms a step closer to manage directly the data-acquisition interface to the physical world, the research as broad implications in a variety of related sensing problems. The project will also include activities to engage students in classrooms presenting the basic mathematical tools used in this research and minorities in research projects that contribute to advance the broad field of adaptive systems.