Adaptive spectrum exploitation using emerging software defined radios

Radio frequency interference (RFI) caused by commercial and military spectrum crowding is a growing problem for digital battlefield communication systems. Current electromagnetic spectrum planning generally involves static frequency allocations that are difficult to modify after force insertion. Currently, no real time spectrum management systems exist to coordinate the dynamic spectrum environment experienced by mobile military communications. The DoD's plans for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) indicate that software defined radios (SDR) will be key components of the future battlefield. We investigate battlefield spectrum efficiency problems caused by RFI, and propose near term solutions that exploit the capabilities of emerging software defined radios to provide real time spectrum planning and frequency adaptation.