Eliminating co-location radio interference with photonic-enhanced spectrum management in cognitive radio networks

Co-location of RF emitters (communications plus jammer) is a problem in tactical operations where the goal within a tactical platform is to maintain blue force communications and deny (jam) red force communications or, indeed, any red force use of spectrum. Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) on the DARPA neXt generation (xG) communications program [1] has a goal to sense and share spectrum for more efficient use. A port and test of this DSA capability from a commercial radio to a tactical radio showed significant improvement in tactical communications in a jamming environment.