Emergency Networking in Licensed Spectrum Using Cognitive Radios: Challenges and Insights

A new paradigm for emergency networking is proposed that enables reliable and high data-rate wireless multimedia communications among first responders in licensed spectrum. Such communications are essential for efficient and coordinated rescue and recovery missions in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. The envisioned paradigm differs from the traditional dynamic spectrum access paradigm of higher priority for licensed incumbent users compared to unlicensed users because of the need for emergency networks to reverse the role assignments based on dynamic mission policies. As an example, a highly reconfigurable mission-policy-aware cross-layer communication framework for cognitive ad hoc emergency networking is presented. It is followed with a detailed discussion about the research challenges associated with solving optimization problems in resource-constrained environments and in time-constrained emergency scenarios. Research challenges associated with translation and dissemination of the proposed dynamic mission policies and their incorporation into the communication framework are also discussed.

[1]  Hamid Aghvami,et al.  Cognitive Radio Transmission Based on Direct Sequence MC-CDMA , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

[2]  Coleman Bazelon.  Too many goals: Problems with the 700 MHz auction , 2009, Inf. Econ. Policy.

[3]  R.W. Brodersen,et al.  Implementation issues in spectrum sensing for cognitive radios , 2004, Conference Record of the Thirty-Eighth Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, 2004..

[4]  Lei Yang,et al.  Supporting Demanding Wireless Applications with Frequency-agile Radios , 2010, NSDI.

[5]  Hanif D. Sherali,et al.  Optimal Spectrum Sharing for Multi-Hop Software Defined Radio Networks , 2007, IEEE INFOCOM 2007 - 26th IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications.

[6]  Kang G. Shin,et al.  In-band spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks: energy detection or feature detection? , 2008, MobiCom '08.

[7]  Lei Ding,et al.  Cross-Layer Routing and Dynamic Spectrum Allocation in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[8]  Yunnan Wu,et al.  Allocating dynamic time-spectrum blocks in cognitive radio networks , 2007, MobiHoc '07.

[9]  Wei Liu,et al.  Joint On-Demand Routing and Spectrum Assignment in Cognitive Radio Networks , 2007, 2007 IEEE International Conference on Communications.

[10]  N. Jesuale,et al.  Smart Radios and Collaborative Public Safety Communications , 2008, 2008 3rd IEEE Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks.

[11]  M. Stojanovic,et al.  Multi-cluster protocol for ad hoc mobile underwater acoustic networks , 2003, Oceans 2003. Celebrating the Past ... Teaming Toward the Future (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37492).

[12]  David S. Broomhead,et al.  Codes for spread spectrum applications generated using chaotic dynamical systems , 1999 .

[13]  S. Jagadeesan,et al.  Cross-Layer Design in Wireless Sensor Networks , 2012 .

[14]  Shuguang Cui,et al.  Collaborative wideband sensing for cognitive radios , 2008, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine.

[15]  Kang G. Shin,et al.  Efficient Discovery of Spectrum Opportunities with MAC-Layer Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing.

[16]  Simon Haykin,et al.  Cognitive radio: brain-empowered wireless communications , 2005, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.

[17]  Xia Zhou,et al.  eBay in the Sky: strategy-proof wireless spectrum auctions , 2008, MobiCom '08.

[18]  Milind M. Buddhikot,et al.  DIMSUMnet: new directions in wireless networking using coordinated dynamic spectrum , 2005, Sixth IEEE International Symposium on a World of Wireless Mobile and Multimedia Networks.

[19]  G.J.M. Smit,et al.  A Reconfigurable Radio Architecture for Cognitive Radio in Emergency Networks , 2006, 2006 European Conference on Wireless Technology.

[20]  Paramvir Bahl,et al.  White space networking with wi-fi like connectivity , 2009, SIGCOMM '09.

[21]  Joseph Mitola.  Policy languages for cognitive radio , 2009, 2009 IEEE Radio and Wireless Symposium.

[22]  Ting-Chao Hou,et al.  Transmission Range Control in Multihop Packet Radio Networks , 1986, IEEE Trans. Commun..

[23]  Joseph Mitola,et al.  Cognitive radio: making software radios more personal , 1999, IEEE Wirel. Commun..

[24]  Dario Pompili,et al.  Routing algorithms for delay-insensitive and delay-sensitive applications in underwater sensor networks , 2006, MobiCom '06.

[25]  I.G.M.M. Niemegeers,et al.  Cognitive radio emergency networks - requirements and design , 2005, First IEEE International Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks, 2005. DySPAN 2005..

[26]  P. Bahl,et al.  DSAP: a protocol for coordinated spectrum access , 2005, First IEEE International Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks, 2005. DySPAN 2005..

[27]  Tomasz Imielinski,et al.  GeoCast—geographic addressing and routing , 1997, MobiCom '97.

[28]  Wenbo Wang,et al.  A Framework of Wireless Emergency Communications based on Relaying and Cognitive Radio , 2007, 2007 IEEE 18th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications.

[29]  Dina Katabi,et al.  Learning to share: narrowband-friendly wideband networks , 2008, SIGCOMM '08.

[30]  Ian F. Akyildiz,et al.  CRAHNs: Cognitive radio ad hoc networks , 2009, Ad Hoc Networks.

[31]  Joseph Mitola.  Cognitive Radio Policy Languages , 2009, ICC.

[32]  N. Jesuale,et al.  A Policy Proposal to Enable Cognitive Radio for Public Safety and Industry in the Land Mobile Radio Bands , 2007, 2007 2nd IEEE International Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks.

[33]  Dario Pompili,et al.  On the impact of neighborhood discovery on geographical routing in wireless sensor networks , 2011, 34th IEEE Sarnoff Symposium.

[34]  Yunnan Wu,et al.  KNOWS: Cognitive Radio Networks Over White Spaces , 2007, 2007 2nd IEEE International Symposium on New Frontiers in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks.

[35]  Athanasios V. Vasilakos,et al.  Information Sharing in Spectrum Auction for Dynamic Spectrum Access , 2009, GLOBECOM 2009 - 2009 IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference.