The FCC opened proceedings seeking public comment on the use and applications for cognitive “smart” radio systems. Smart radios are defined as devices having the capability to adapt their use of spectrum in response to information external to the radio. For instance, a system could use geolocation information to determine whether certain transmissions are permissible. Alternatively, such radios could sense their RF environment and use this information to determine the optimal frequencies and transmit powers to use, while avoiding harmful interference.
The FCC is seeking comment on ways to encourage and remove regulatory impediments to continued development and deployment of smart radio technologies, including, for example, facilitating the ability of licensed spectrum users to deploy them for their own use to increase spectrum efficiency, and to facilitate secondary markets, allowing licensees to lease their spectrum access to third parties using such technologies. The FCC is also seeking comment on ways in which smart radios can facilitate opportunistic use of the spectrum by unlicensed devices, while protecting incumbents from harmful interference. The FCC is developing rules permitting additional technical flexibility, including allowing unlicensed devices in limited bands to use higher transmit powers in rural and underserved areas.
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