Spectrum management: the killer application of ad hoc and mesh networking

• Main Author: Stine, J.A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ad hoc networks; Command and control systems; FCC; Interference; Radio frequency; Radio spectrum management; Radiofrequency identification; Technological innovation; Temperature measurement; Thyristors
• DOI: 10.1109/DYSPAN.2005.1542634

The traditional approach to managing radio frequency (RF) spectrum concludes with a spectrum management administration identifying how a band of spectrum may be used in a region it administers and who may use it. This approach to spectrum management is encumbered with political process that is challenged to keep pace with the rapid advances in technologies that exploit RF spectrum. Recognizing that this process can stifle innovation, the FCC has proposed new spectrum management models and the use of a measure of interference temperature. Unfortunately, they too result in picking winners and losers and can have detrimental effects on legacy users. In this paper we review these concepts and then describe how ad hoc networks can offer new solutions. Three different spectrum management ideas are described. The synchronous collision resolution (SCR) MAC protocol enables a strict arbitration of spectrum access based on spectrum rights thus enabling a hierarchy of networks in the same spectrum that always guarantees the primary rights holder precedence. Second, it autonomously manages the use of an arbitrary number of channels in the same network all of which support the network achieving a higher capacity. The third and most exciting idea is a new fast command and control model for spectrum management. An underlying ad hoc network built using the nodes state routing (NSR) protocol is used to track and manage the use of spectrum of attached RF emitters. NSR tracks the state of the network by collecting and disseminating the states of the nodes. These states can include relevant information on the spectrum these nodes are using and are observing others use. Thus the network supports tracking and monitoring spectrum use spatially in near real time. Spectrum management utilities built on top of the network could allow users and spectrum managers to rapidly negotiate the use of spectrum for short periods of time in small regions. This finer resolution command and control model supports rapid prototyping of new services while simultaneously giving spectrum managers the ability to identify and turn off emitters that cause harmful interference to higher precedence users. We conclude with proposed standardization and regulatory changes to make this feasible