Open Spectrum

Sharing Spectrum, Services, and Infrastructure in Spectrum Era 4

Radio signals power many everyday services such as wireless internet, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), weather and climate forecasts, and navigation systems for ships and planes. This project explores smarter methods for different services to share radio waves and the devices that use them. Its goal is to ensure that everyone can benefit from these services while making the best possible use of the radio signals. Overall, the project strives to make communication systems work more reliably, safely, and easily for all.

The project introduces the concept of Open Spectrum by extending the idea of open and programmable Radio Access Networks to manage shared spectrum systems beyond cellular networks, for example radar and radio sensing systems. Its core idea is to pool spectrum, infrastructure, and, when possible, services so that access and deployment are automated and coordinated through dynamic deconfliction policies.

The broader impact of the project is its potential to transform how radio spectrum and network resources are shared and managed. The project is set to pioneer techniques that can improve public safety communications, emergency response systems, and commercial wireless services. It will produce open-source software, openly accessible data sets, and educational resources that benefit both industry and academic researchers. This initiative will help develop a future workforce skilled in sophisticated spectrum engineering and policy and is expected to influence regulations by demonstrating that advanced, efficient, and secure spectrum sharing is achievable for a more connected and sustainable society.