Software radio: evolution or revolution in spectrum management

Leveraging new technologies and developing new approaches to enable move effective and efficient use of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum are central to achieving the information superiority that is key to the emerging operational concepts described in Joint Vision 2010. Fortuitously, evolving software radio technologies will lead to the emergence of adaptive, "self-managing" systems that offer the potential for quantum improvements in spectrum efficiency through real-time, dynamic spectrum reuse. Central to these "smart" systems will be the control of radio functions by embedded software algorithms, directly affecting the manner in which the system uses the EM spectrum. However, positive control over a radio's use of the spectrum has traditionally been the purview of radio operators, who were guided and trained to follow the rules of engagement carefully crafted over decades to satisfy, mission requirements while preventing harmful interference to other users. This power of control is now being handed over to the radio itself. The obvious question is: how does this transfer of control affect the spectrum management policies, practices, and procedures devised to support guide, and manage the behavior of human operators? This paper addresses this central question as it relates to spectrum management business practices.