Harness Enhanced Awareness for Radio System (HEARS) for Dynamic Spectrum Access in Space Application

ABSTRACT: In this project, IFT and its academic partner GMU developed an innovative Harness Enhanced Awareness for Radio Systems (HEARS) framework and technical underpinnings for DSA systems operating under conditions of imperfect knowledge, and used the framework to address challenging problems in satellite communication (SATCOM)DSA. As the logical core of the HEARS, Multi-Entity Bayesian Network (MEBN) models for SATCOM were developed and implemented using Netica Bayesian Network (BN) APIs. The developments bring the power of information fusion, probabilistic inference and reasoning for decision making under uncertainties to SATCOM systems, which allows more reliable in-situ decisions under a broader range of scenarios and avoids performance loss. A SATCOM BN Analysis Tool was developed which integrates SATCOM simulation, BN based decision making and 3D visualization. The Phase I effort provided convincing results of proof-of-concept designs that enable further technology development and transition. In Phase II, our main objectives include: i) extend the core SATCOM MEBN to accommodate more DSA scenarios and applications, ii) fully implement the HEARS framework with hardware-in-loop emulation in a realistic Virtual RF Environment for extensive performance evaluation, design optimization and demonstration, and iii) further advance the technologies towards practical applications such as controlling a L-3 SATCOM Modem for space communication. ; BENEFIT: The proposed HEARS framework for dynamic Spectrum Access under uncertainty conditions has tremendous application potential in many military applications. It can be used for protected SATCOM applications with dynamic spectrum sharing and interference mitigations. In addition, it is applicable to relevant Defense Acquisition Programs within DoD such as PTW Protected Tactical Waveform underdevelopment by DFARR, SSN - space surveillance network, SBSS - the Space Based Space Surveillance system, SBIRS - Space-Based Infrared System program, WGS - Wideband Global SATCOM, JSARS - JSPOC Situational Awareness Response System, DCGS-X - Distributed Common Ground System program (Air Force), DCGS-N -Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy, DCGS-A - DCGS Army system. IFT will work with L3 to focus on marketing the resultant technology to their existing Air Force customers. As the first priority, IFT will leverage existing activities IFT has with several Air Force programs that can quickly take advantage of this highly critical technology. This technology could also benefit deep space exploration and other scientific research activities in space research and development. Other potential commercial applications include management of the civilian networks, such as finance, medicine, communications, electric power, nuclear energy, internet service providers, air traffic control, etc.