Centralized Spectrum Arbitrator for UAS C2 Link Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aviation spectrum used for command and control (C2) link systems in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) faces challenges in efficient spectrum sharing due to self-interference from parallel and competing C2 link systems, requiring a centralized spectrum arbitrator to manage frequency allocations and identify interference sources.
Innovation Solution
A centralized spectrum arbitrator system that receives sensor fusion data from air and ground radio systems, evaluates interference levels, classifies signal information, and generates situational awareness outputs to facilitate dynamic spectrum access and optimize frequency reuse across the C2 link system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spectrum resources are shared among multiple C2 link systems, then system capacity is improved, but interference from parallel and competing systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized server acts as an intermediary spectrum arbitrator that receives sensor fusion data from multiple C2 link systems, evaluates interference levels, and coordinates frequency allocations to enable graceful sharing while mitigating harmful interference between parallel and competing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor fusion data on interference levels is collected from the spectrum environment, processed by the centralized server, and used to dynamically adjust frequency allocations and power levels to maintain optimal performance while avoiding interference
2Reliability
If a centralized spectrum arbitrator is deployed to manage frequency allocations, then interference management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges spectrum sensing, signal classification, interference evaluation, and frequency allocation functions into a single centralized server, simplifying the overall architecture by consolidating multiple complex functions into one coordinated entity that maintains a bird's eye view of the entire C2 link system
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized server performs multiple functions including receiving sensor fusion data, evaluating interference levels, classifying signal information, generating situational awareness outputs, and coordinating frequency allocations across multiple C2 link systems, making it a universal control entity that handles diverse spectrum management tasks
3Loss of information
If sensor fusion data is collected and processed in real-time, then situational awareness is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor fusion data is collected and pre-processed at distributed nodes before being transmitted to the centralized server, performing preliminary filtering and aggregation of raw sensor data to reduce the computational burden on the central system while maintaining comprehensive situational awareness
Data Source
AI summary
A centralized spectrum arbitrator for a command and control (C2) link system is disclosed. In embodiments, the spectrum arbitrator receives sensor fusion data from the air radio systems (ARS) and ground radio systems (GRS) of the C2 link system, each dataset comprising mean energy levels for a particular frequency and location. The spectrum arbitrator determines a time average of the energy levels and evaluates interference with the frequency at the location (e.g., whether the interference is tolerable or the frequency should not be used) and attempts to classify interfering signals (e.g., as radar, malicious, of the C2 link system or competing). The spectrum arbitrator may further fuse sensor fused data into additional spectrum situational awareness (SA) outputs illustrating or recommending opportunistic frequency use or reuse across the C2 link system.