Physical Layer Techniques for Enhanced Situational Awareness

Wireless devices are being developed that can scan spectrum to take advantage of spectrum opportunities for enhanced communication. For these devices to communicate better, it is desirable that they have an awareness of their setting. In this paper, we present a collection of techniques, which we call PLATEAU: Physical Layer Techniques for Enhanced Situational Awareness, which leverages physical layer properties from existing signals to gain an accurate picture of a device´s environment as well as understanding of that device´s mobility. We show through experiments using measurements from a software defined radio that, by utilizing radar and machine learning signal processing, a device can make more informed operational decisions.