Survey of IEEE standards supporting cognitive radio and dynamic spectrum access

Abstract

Standardization is key to the success of many technologies. Cognitive radio (CR) is no exception. CR techniques are being applied in many different communications systems. They promise to improve the utilization of radio frequencies making room for new and additional commercial data, emergency, and military communications services [1, 2]. In the United States (US) these techniques are being considered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for communications services in unlicensed VHF and UHF TV bands. Similar consideration is being given elsewhere in the world such as with Office of Communications (Ofcom) in the United Kingdom. Standardization is at the core of cognitive radiopsilas current and future successes. Industry stake-holders are participating in international standards activities governing the use of cognitive radio techniques. This article provides a survey of cognitive radio standardization activities, their past and present, and discusses prospects and issues for future standardization.