Technical challenges for cognitive radio in the TV white space spectrum

The FCC recently issued the regulatory rules for cognitive radio use of the TV white space spectrum. These new rules provide an opportunity but they also introduce a number of technical challenges. The challenges require development of cognitive radio technologies like spectrum sensing as well as new wireless PHY and MAC layer designs. These challenges include spectrum sensing of both TV signals and wireless microphone signals, frequency agile operation, geo-location, stringent spectral mask requirements, and of course the ability to provide reliable service in unlicensed and dynamically changing spectrum. After describing these various challenges we will describe some of the possible methods for meeting these challenges.