Spectrum sensing is a critical prerequisite in envisioned applications of wireless cognitive radio (CR) networks, which promise to resolve the perceived bandwidth scarcity versus under-utilization dilemma. This talk presents recent advances for comprehensive situation awareness at the PHY of CR networks by capitalizing on the novel notion of spatio-temporal RF cartography, which amounts to constructing two families of maps: (m1) global power spectral density maps capturing the distribution of power across space, time, and frequency; and (m2) local channel gain maps providing the propagation medium per frequency from each node to any point in space and time. Paralleling the success of routing tables, the vision is to have CR nodes jointly utilize these maps so as to enable: (v1) identification of opportunistically available spectrum bands for re-use, and handoff operation; (v2) localization, transmit-power estimation, and tracking of primary user activities; and (v3) interference control, resource allocation, and routing. If time allows, CR sensing beyond the PHY will be presented too for flagging network anomalies.

In addition to the support of increased peak bit rates, higher spectrum spectral efficiency, and better coverage, 5G mobile systems are required to be scalable, supporting potential numbers of diverse connectable devices, including Machine Type Communications (MTC) devices, and handling mobile traffic 1000 times larger than the current one. Coping with such an ever-increasing mobile traffic, most importantly in a cost-efficient way, is critical for the success of 5G systems. In this vein, the talk will touch upon the current congestion management approaches and their limitation to cope with the required scalability of 5G systems. This talk will be then highlighting the challenges current and future mobile systems are/will be facing and will be showcasing how programmable virtual mobile networks can be used as an efficient solution to revolutionize the congestion management concept and to deal with the ever-growing mobile traffic in 5G mobile systems.

At our first seminar seminar of the year, we will be honored to have Mr. Mark Halpin, Ph.D and Mr. Manish Patel, Ph.D., P.E. discussing Fault Induced Delayed Voltage Recovery. The seminar will be held at Georgia Power Company in the Kilowatt Room on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 starting at 9:00am. The seminar check-in time will start at 9:00am and will last until 3pm; 0.4 CEU or 4 PDH will be provided. Refreshments (in the morning) and lunch will be included. A map to the event, presentation details and speakers bio can be found here on the events page.