Andy and others: I think you mean that the people who programmed today's radios are smart. They have written excellent DSP algorithms to process the signals YOU select for the radio.
Suppose we have a radio capable of doing any kind of waveform we wish to do (gnuradio is a step in the right direction). http://gnuradio.org/trac But suppose we built radios with algorithms in them to do sensing, measurement, of the environment for interference, large signals that will not be co-channel but can generate intermodulation distortion which does result in inband interference, estimates the quality of the path, etc. Some systems do something like this in rudimentary form already. HF Automatic Link Establishment was set up to replace the smart operator, which a smart radio. It sounds the channel repeatedly and if two radios operating using HF ALE wish to connect to exchange information, the two radios, based on the data gathered from the sensing algorithms from a pool of frequencies assigned by the system administrator. This is radio with some artificial intelligence in it, that does not need a software defined radio behind it. But let us go much further. Let's get the FCC to pass rules that allow almost any waveform within reason and assign this operation to "any vacant television channel", i.e., the so called white space rules now being put into place. Such a radio system will be equipped with a complex set of sensing algorithms. These algorithms have one job: fine the best set of parameters to put into our software defined radio to allow us to communicate with (say) the internet. The radio is COMPLETELY in charge once it has been informed by settings, databases, sensors, etc. about the channel(s) it is going TO CHOOSE to operate on from the restricted set we as administrators allow. The optimality criterion is a balance of maximize channel capacity (data rate if you will) without causing harmful interference. That is a service coming into existence now. Now suppose you are a military unit about to be dropped into hostile territory. You are outfitted with a radio whose first job when you enable it is to sense the environment FOR EXISTING radio systems and figure out its parameters so you can use it for your own communications. The combination of a) sensors for determining everything within reason about the channel. b) a set of goals to be achieved: 1) construct a waveform that will allow me to communicate using the channel 2) minimize interference to others 3) determine if the desired end of the conversation is reachable on this channel 4) ????? c) communicate until done, modifying waveform, channel, etc. as needed to maintain communications and minimize interference. This is a form of cognitive radio. It has been under intensive study for nearly 15 years since Mitola coined the term. Having done several years of research in both software and cognitive radio fields, this is a very exciting time for me personally. Contributing to implementations in Flex Radio, GnuRadio, etc. has really been enjoyable. I have to say that for many in amateur radio, this will not seem like radio at all and they will object strongly to its existence because it does indeed move more stuff between the operator and the radio. Let's just say that I don't see why the two visions necessarily should be in conflict. I am heading off to W2GD/2 in Tuckerton, NJ this weekend to prepare for the remainder of the 160 meter contest season. This year we are introducing software radios of various types. But it will still be my teammates and I that sit in front of the radio and wield the paddle to make the contact. The SDR and limited CR will aid this but will not replace it. Every major contesting group is now using or planning to use SDR and CR to enhance their work because the competition is definitely going to use it. Bob N4HY Andy obrien wrote: > The ARRL Newsletter mentioned .. > > > One of the major topics of discussion at the AC meeting involved the > upcoming WRC-12, the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2012. The > AC adopted preliminary IARU positions on the WRC agenda items that > relate to amateur radio or may impact the amateur radio service. The > most significant agenda items are: > > > > 3. AI 1.19 - Software-defined radio and cognitive radio systems; > > Just what is considered to be a "cognitive radio system" ? Most > radios these days are pretty "smart", maybe the next generation will > think more ? > > Andy K3UK > > -- (Co)Author: DttSP, Quiktrak, PowerSDR, GnuRadio Member: ARRL, AMSAT, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. "the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles" Kerouac Twitter:rwmcgwier Active: Facebook,Myspace,LinkedIn
