Cognitive Radio – The Need it Fills

The need for Cognitive Radio techniques will always be with us as long as we’re short of RF bandwidth. In this article the author propose using licensed bandwidth while it is not currently being used. Game theory techniques can be used to monitor what the other users are doing. Of course, the licensed user gets first priority but if it’s not using the spectrum then others may be able to use it.

The FCC is actively studying Cognitive Radio to make better use of the spectrum and better devices that can adapt to the current conditions. In addition to increasing the spectrum, the FCC hopes to improve interoperability among public service units. Current systems give each public service a dedicated, full-time frequency band. Cognitive radio techniques could let one service use the unused bandwidth of another. It could also be used as a repeater between one public service to another. Cognitive radio could monitor and help translate signals to another public service.

The other advantage is increased reliability in terms of fewer dropped calls, blackout spots, and more. If the communication channel becomes noisy, a cognitive radio-based system could switch the call to a better channel.

Best regards,
Hall T.