Ofcom - Geolocation Solutions for Cognitive Radios

The UK regulator Ofcom has published a discussion document to explore the potential of 'geolocation' as a solution to allow licence-exempt cognitive access to interleaved spectrum.

This document is intended as input to the thinking that is taking place around the world on geolocation. As such, it is hoped that it will further discussion and speed the development of possible geolocation solutions.

Consultation: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/cogaccess/

Digital Dividend: Geolocation for Cognitive Access PDF
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/cogaccess/
cogaccess.pdf

News Release: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/11/
nr_20091117a

Cognitive radios essentially automatically search out an apparently quiet part of radio spectrum and transmit over it.

Licence exempt devices based on cognitive technology have the potential to increase spectrum utilisation but they inevitably raise the noise floor. This makes any spectrum where they operate completely unusable for weak signal communications.