Optimizing sensing in spectrally crowded RF enrivonments

该提案提出了一个研究计划，以开发所需的理论和方法，在频谱拥挤的环境中进行有效的感知和通信。从事这项工作的动机来自于无线通信频谱分配的不断增长，这一趋势使雷达感知变得越来越困难。该提案侧重于未来五年内将探讨的四个主题。** 1.光谱拥挤环境中的半分布式检测：在光谱拥挤环境中，单个传感器是不可靠的，多个地理上分布的传感器必须协调它们的决策。一个重要的问题是如何将具有挑战性的通信环境与传感。该提案在理论上（例如，如何处理接收到的数据）和算法（例如，如何压缩数据以匹配不确定的通信信道）。我们的模型的一个关键特征是接收来自传感器测量同一区域的实际情况的相关数据。* 2.波形设计：我们的第二个主题是波形的最佳设计，以适应频谱孔-同时满足幅度和峰均功率约束。关键是实时设计波形，以避免动态频谱使用。这些波形与正交频分多址耦合将允许同时感测和通信。理论问题将是多个正交波形的可行性和设计问题。3.联合感知和通信：在频谱拒绝环境中，可以调制雷达信号的参数以实现通信。然而，这会影响传感能力;我们将探索两者之间的最佳权衡。这个问题的另一个方面是使用环境信号作为机会照明器来执行雷达任务而无需主动发射。我们将探索同步的关键问题，并开发降秩自适应信号处理技术，以利用所有可用的照明源。4.特定于应用程序的设计：应用程序具有必须满足的特定约束。最好的使用方法在很大程度上取决于对频谱使用方式的了解;我们将重点关注两个具有理论和实践重要性的应用：城市传感和沿岸的环境中的传感。这个建议代表了我的研究议程中的一个新的推力;它结合了我做出最重要研究贡献的领域：我在开发无线网络和雷达系统的理论和算法方面的工作为我提供了一个独特的背景，以解决日益重要的问题。

This proposal lays out a research program to develop the required theory, and approaches, for effective sensing and communications in spectrally-crowded environments. The motivation for pursuing this work comes from the growing allocation of spectrum for wireless communications, a trend that is making radar sensing increasingly difficult. The proposal focuses on four themes to be explored within the next 5 years.*******1. Semi-distributed Detection in Spectrally-Crowded Environments: In spectrally-crowded environments, a single sensor is unreliable and multiple, geographically distributed sensors must coordinate their decisions. An important issue is how to incorporate the challenging communication environment with the sensing. The proposal lays out plans in both theoretical (e.g., how to process data received) and algorithmic (e.g., how to compress data to match the uncertain communication channel). A key feature of our model will be the receiving of correlated data arising from the practical case of sensors surveying the same region.*******2. Waveform design: Our second theme is the optimal design of waveforms to fit within spectral holes - while meeting amplitude and peak-to-average power constraints. The key is designing the waveforms in real-time to avoid dynamic spectral usage. These waveforms coupled with orthogonal frequency division multiple access would allow for simultaneous sensing and communications. The theoretical questions will be that of feasibility and the design of multiple, orthogonal, waveforms.*******3. Joint sensing and communication: In spectrally-denied environments, parameters of the radar signal can be modulated to enable communications. However, this impacts the sensing capabilities; we will explore the optimal trade-off between the two. Another aspect of this problem is the use of ambient signals as illuminators of opportunity to execute the radar task without active transmissions. We will explore the crucial issue of synchronization and develop reduced-rank adaptive signal processing techniques to exploit all available illumination sources.*******4. Application specific designs: Applications have specific constraints that must be met. The best approach to use is heavily dependent on what is known of how the spectrum is being used; we will focus on two applications of theoretical and practical importance: urban sensing and sensing in littoral environments.*******This proposal represents a new thrust in my research agenda; it combines the fields in which I have made my most significant research contributions: my work in developing theory and algorithms for wireless networks and radar systems provides me with a unique background to address a problem of growing importance.******