Keynote address: Multi-dimensional RF signal-processing and analog/digital circuits

The Advanced Signal Processing Circuits (ASPC) laboratory at the University of Akron was established in 2010, to conduct basic research involving antenna array signal processing, reconfigurable systems, and multidimensional filters. The target applications span communications, cognitive radio, radio astronomy, microwave imaging, and radar. In this talk, we will discuss our areas of investigation, starting with an overview of the impending spectral scarcity problem. The accelerating growth of wireless systems is rapidly leading to scarcity of electromagnetic spectral bandwidth. The spectrum is a finite natural resource that is subject to oversubscription. Cognitive radio (CR) is an approach for mitigating spectral scarcity. In a CR, situational awareness is provided to a wireless network, allowing intelligent decisions on the use of electromagnetic spectral resources without being limited by licensing schemes. The technologies and approaches that would enable an unprecedented increase in wireless system capacity, data rates and connectivity is known as the 1000 x Game.