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

这个小型企业技术转让(STTR)第一阶段项目旨在通过开发能够在碎片化频段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的频谱稀缺这一具有挑战性的问题。由于无线通信系统的激增，保护这些产品通常所需的大的连续频段的电磁频谱变得越来越困难。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和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施，在软件中将严格评估它们的性能。然后，这些技术将被移植到通用软件无线电平台(USRP)进行硬件测试和评估。这种在硬件实施之前首先开发和验证软件的严格方法将有助于确保项目成功。该项目成功完成后，将在分段频谱开发方面领先于无线通信的最先进水平，所提出的系统将在硬件上得到成功演示。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是显著提高宝贵电磁频谱的利用效率。事实上，在拟议的项目中采取的方法能够在分散的频谱环境中建立和维持可靠的高吞吐量通信链路。这项技术的主要应用是在最近建立的电视白带内操作的设备中。这款电视白带应用程序是无线和移动互联网技术领域的一员。在这些频段上运行的产品预计将在为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1800多万美国人生活在美国的偏远地区，无法接入高速互联网连接，能够建立上述连接的技术既对社会有益，又具有商业可行性。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.