Enabling RF Technologies for Spectrum Sharing

Spectrum sharing has the potential to significantly increase spectrum utilization in underused spectrum by facilitating shared access between primary/incumbent users and new commercial and private wireless services and applications. The citizen broadband radio service in the United States implements a basic form of dynamic spectrum access and is an example of spectrum sharing becoming a reality. Numerous and various regulatory changes in other countries are soon to follow.To make the most efficient use of spectrum in dynamic spectrum access regimes requires transceivers with excellent frequency agility, linearity, and selectivity, in order to opportunistically exploit available spectrum, whilst reducing interference and its impact. This article provides a brief overview of recently introduced spectrum sharing regulations, and discusses hardware requirements for current and future dynamic spectrum access. Recent advances in relevant RF technology enablers are presented, covering transmitter power amplifiers, multiband receivers, self-interference cancellation, and reconfigurable antennas.