Cognitive Radio technology for dynamic spectrum access: Spectrum sensing, waveform design and implementation

Spectrum Congestion is a concern to both military and commercial applications. Recent studies have suggested that spectrum congestion is mainly due to the inefficient use of spectrum rather than its unavailability. Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) and Cognitive Radio (CR) are two terminologies which are used in the context of improved spectrum efficiency and usage. The advent of CR has created a paradigm shift in wireless communications and instigated a change in FCC policy towards spectrum regulations. Cognitive Radio is a cross-cutting multi disciplinary technology requiring concepts such as: Signal processing, Wireless Communications, Antenna theory, Network protocols, Pattern recognition and Machine learning, to name a few. Even though CR technology's main objective is to identify unused spectrum and improve spectrum efficiency, it indirectly translates to unrealized monetary gain resulting from new applications and users. This has resulted in interest from not only technologists (engineers) but also from policy makers (attorneys) and corporate business.