Wireless communications and coexistence for smart environments

Technology is emerging that will support the pervasive deployment of small intelligent devices that serve their owner and communicate using wireless transmissions. Collectively, these devices would provide a smart environment. Before this vision can become a reality, significant challenges must be overcome in the design of access protocols, and in spectrum management policies. Some devices in a smart environment must be able to communicate, and all devices in a smart environment must be able to coexist without excessive mutual interference. This article discusses various methods of achieving these goals, and the fundamental trade-offs involved. Some of the alternative methods include the allocation of unlicensed spectrum for this purpose, establishment of an etiquette that constrains access protocol designs, adoption of a full standard for access protocols, and the creation of a spectrum band manager.