Wideband cognitive sensing from a few bits

目的：频谱感知是认知无线电中最重要的组成部分，是实现自适应频谱共享的基础。无需扫频或奈奎斯特速率采样的宽带频谱感知是一个具有挑战性的问题，特别是对于通信能力有限的低端传感器的网络感知。假设每个传感器只能下变频，滤波，并发出一个二进制信号时，它测量的能量高于阈值在其滤波器？s的输出。是否有可能形成一个令人满意的估计环境功率谱使用几个suchbits？这是这个项目的核心问题，令人兴奋的初步结果表明答案是肯定的。一个全面的研究计划已经被设计来建立这些初步的发现。该研究将沿着沿着四个方向发展：i）核心系统设计和性能分析; ii）分布式实现; iii）相关扩展，如自适应传感; iv）软件无线电实验。凸优化理论和方法在基于网络的频谱估计领域将有令人兴奋的新应用。更广泛的影响：使用廉价传感器和少量比特的宽带频谱感知是一个变革性的想法，有可能将认知无线电的好处渗透到商品硬件中-目前还远未实现。该主题非常有利于学生参与和培养下一代无线工程师。

Objective: Spectrum sensing is the most important element of cognitive radio, as it forms the ba-sis for adaptive spectrum sharing. Wideband spectrum sensing without frequency sweeping orNyquist-rate sampling is a challenging problem, especially for network sensing from low-end sen-sors with limited communication capabilities. Assume that each sensor can only down-convert,filter, and send out a binary signal when it measures energy above threshold at its filter?s output.Is it possible to form a satisfactory estimate of the ambient power spectrum using just a few suchbits? This is the question at the core of this project, and exciting preliminary results suggest thatthe answer is on the affirmative. A well-rounded research program has been designed to buildupon these preliminary findings. The research will evolve along four thrusts: i) core system designand performance analysis; ii) distributed implementation; iii) relevant extensions, such as adaptivesensing; and iv) software radio experiments.Intellectual merit: Power spectrum estimation from few wideband energy detection bits has neverbeen considered - yet is a fundamental extension of spectral analysis. Exciting new applicationsof convex optimization theory and methods will be found in the area of network-based spectrumestimation.Broader impacts: Wideband spectrum sensing using cheap sensors and few bits is a transformativeidea that has the potential to permeate the benefits of cognitive radio down to commodity hardware- something currently far from reality. The topic is highly conducive for involving students andtraining the next generation of wireless engineers.