Talon Sentinel Intelligent Signal Scanning Recording Systems

Pentek's SentinelTM recorders add intelligent signal monitoring and detection for real-time recording systems. The intuitive GUI allows users to monitor the entire spectrum or select a region of interest, while a selectable resolution bandwidth allows the user to trade sweep rate for a finer resolution and better dynamic range. Scan settings can be saved as profiles to allow for quick setup in the field. RF energy in each band of the scan is detected and presented in a waterfall display. Any RF band can be selected for real-time monitoring or recording. In addition to manually selecting a band for recording, a recording can be automatically started by configuring signal strength threshold levels to trigger a recording. The Sentinel hardware resources are controlled through enhancements to Talon's SystemFlow® software package that includes a Virtual Oscilloscope, Virtual Spectrum Analyzer and Spectrogram displays, providing a complete suite of analysis tools to compliment the Sentinel hardware resources.

SCA 4.1 Modeling Demo

This demo will showcase the ability of Spectra CX4 to create a SCA 4.1 model (application and platform), validate the model and generate XML descriptors and C++ code for the model.

 Implementation of an Open Source Spectrum Access System

It is not a matter of debate that dynamic spectrum sharing leads to better spectrum utilization than the current auctioned licensed allocations by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The debate ensues on the choice between the different methods used for dynamic spectrum sharing, and their performance compared to the traditional static spectrum allocation. To lead the move towards dynamic spectrum allocation, the FCC proposed commercial utilization of the 3.5 GHz band, which it termed as the "Innovation Band". In the proposal, a specific band of the spectrum would be made available for secondary use by new users as long as the primary or incumbent user is not using that band. This was to provide a platform which would enable researchers to find a way of maximizing the use of spectrum resources while ensuring harmonious spectrum coexistence between Primary Users (PUs) and Secondary Users (SUs). The FCC proposal involves a central entity known as the Spectrum Access System (SAS) which coordinates spectrum allocations for the different SUs. The SAS collects spectrum information for a specific geographical area from its sensors or SUs to create a Radio Environment Map (REM). The information from the REM is then utilized by the SAS to make decisions on spectrum allocation for the different SUs. Recent research on the performance of spectrum coordination by the SAS has been theoretical at best, based on various PU and SU interaction models. There have also been applications of isolated Cognitive Radios (CRs) that are able to coexist with a primary user, but very few based on a networked cluster of SUs whose spectrum allocation decisions are controlled by a central entity. We are creating a framework that can be utilized to perform practical analyses of the performance of the SAS under varying experimental scenarios in which PUs and SUs need to coexist in the available spectrum channels. Initially, we are focusing on the 3.5 GHz band. In this demo, we demonstrate the functioning of an Open-Source Spectrum Access System, that is able to leverage a collection of CRs to effectively coexist in shared spectrum. This is achievable through a collection of Software Defined Radios (SDRs) connected to a centralized node that is able to dynamically assign channels to them.