Transforming Spectrum Sharing: NTIA Seeks to Fund Innovation in Software Defined Radio Technology

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) new round of funding from the $1.5 billion Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund presents a unique opportunity to advance spectrum-sensing technology, in turn potentially driving more efficient use of airwaves for the public and private sectors. Spectrum sharing is an effective way to increase commercial access to spectrum resources while protecting and enhancing government operations. One objective of this funding opportunity’s second focus area is to propel the development of advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology that meets the needs of modern mobile networks. Projects funded under this initiative will target several critical advancements:

• Spectrum Sharing: Incorporate enhanced spectrum sensing into SDR platforms that, among other things, could protect incumbent government operations, promoting safe and efficient use of shared spectrum bands.
• Ease-of-Programmability: Increase programmability of SDR systems, allowing modular access to all functional subsystems.
• Energy Efficiency and Spectrum Agility: Develop wideband SDR solutions that are energy-efficient and spectrum-agile, including potential support for upper mid-band spectrum in the 7 GHz and 24 GHz bands.
• Carrier Aggregation: Create single-radio SDR solutions capable of carrier aggregation.
• Plug-and-Play Capabilities: Innovate high-powered, multi-band plug-and-play daughterboards for broader application.

For more details or to start the application process, visit NTIA’s website.