National Radio Dynamic Zones Partnership

Meeting Outcomes:

• Nov. 10, 2020 Meeting Summary.
• Nov. 10, 2020 Video Recording.

General Information:

Nov. 10, 2020. 4 - 6 p.m. EST
Virtually via Zoom (Zoom access information will be provided to registered attendees).

Scope and Goal:

National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ) are being advocated for as a means to advance the state of wireless communications and to support the design of next generation wireless networks with practical, real-world, regional test sites. The utility of the radio spectrum depends on the harmonious coexistence of active communications systems, passive scientific systems, and orbital remote sensing systems. Coexistence is currently handled through manual interference deconfliction, quiet zones, or innovation zones, and essentially reflect a static configuration of the spectrum. NRDZ's have the potential to provide a geographically bounded region where innovative transmitters and receivers can operate in such a way as to protect passive and existing users, while simultaneously supporting dynamic use of the radio spectrum by experimental devices.

The goal of this kick-off meeting is to bring together academics, government and industry researchers from both the active communications and passive sensing communities to define a vision and a roadmap for the creation of a National Radio Dynamic Zone. The outcome of this kick off meeting will inform future quarterly workshops organized by the research partnership, which will provide a venue for a deeper technical dive around issues concerning NRDZ design, collaboration and publication of research ideas and results.

Meeting Organizers:

Research Partnership Co-chairs:

• Christopher R. Anderson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States Naval Academy.
• Mariya Zheleva, Computer Science, University at Albany, SUNY.

Agenda

Nov. 10, 2020. 4 - 6 p.m. EST

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

4 - 4:10 p.m. - Welcome and overview of the Research Partnership goals and outcomes.

• Mariya Zheleva and Chris Anderson

4:10 - 4:30 p.m. - Thoughts from NSF

• Alex Sprintson and B. Ashley Zauderer

4:30 - 5:10 p.m. - Short keynotes and QnA

• Dr. Monisha Ghosh, Chief Technology Officer, Federal Communications Commission
• Mr. Peter Tenhula, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Spectrum Management, NTIA
• Dr. Tony Beasley, Director, National Radio Astronomy Observatory

5:10 - 5:40 p.m. - Lightning talks from NRDZ award recipients

Speakers will be asked to talk about their vision of NRDZs, their research investigations related to NRDZs and their opinion on what should the Research Partnership pursue.

• Dr. Josep Jornet, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University
• Dr. Honggang Wang, University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth
• Dr. Miguel Morales, Department of Physics, University of Washington
• Dr. Adam Cohen, President and CEO, Associated Universities Inc.
• Dr. Tommaso Melodia, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University

5:40 - 6 p.m. - Moving forward – general discussion of activities

Workshops -- potential tracks and working groups. Potential focus areas include (1) theory and algorithms, (2) sensors and devices, (3) platforms and architectures, (4) signal processing, (5) data analytics, (6) passive user protection, (7) passive/active applications and (8) regulatory issues.

Technical deep-dive format

Documents

National Radio Quiet and Dynamic Zones, Thomas Kidd, CHIPS: The Department of the Navy's Information Technology Magazine

Passive/Active communities working together: Understanding each other's needs, concerns and capabilities

Meeting Outcomes:

• Mar. 16 - 17, 2021 Meeting Summary
• Mar. 16 - 17, 2021 Video Recording

General Information:

Mar. 16 - 17, 2021
Virtually via Zoom (Zoom access information will be provided to registered attendees).

Scope and Goal:

National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ) are being advocated for as a means to advance the state of wireless communications and to support the design of next generation wireless networks with practical, real-world, regional test sites. The utility of the radio spectrum depends on the harmonious coexistence of active communications systems, passive scientific systems, and orbital remote sensing systems. Coexistence is currently handled through manual interference deconfliction, quiet zones, or innovation zones, and essentially reflect a static configuration of the spectrum. NRDZ's have the potential to provide a geographically bounded region where innovative transmitters and receivers can operate in such a way as to protect passive and existing users, while simultaneously supporting dynamic use of the radio spectrum by experimental devices.

The goal of this workshop is to explore the technical challenges of providing interference protection to passive users while allowing comprehensive active use of the spectrum inside the NRDZ.

Workshop Organizers:

• Research Partnership Co-chairs:
• Christopher R. Anderson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States Naval Academy.
• Mariya Zheleva, Computer Science, University at Albany, SUNY.
• Kevin Gifford, Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder.
• Eloise Morris, Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder.

Agenda

DAY 1: Passive instrumentation tutorials. Mar. 16, 2021. 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT

10:30 - 10:35 a.m. Welcome and overview from the organizers.

• Mariya Zheleva, Chris Anderson and Kevin Gifford

10:35 a.m. - 12:35 p.m. Tutorial 1: Earth Exploration-Satellite Service instrumentation

• Dr. Joel T. Johnson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ohio State University
• Dr. Mustafa Aksoy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University at Albany, SUNY

Materials

• Passive instrumentation tutorials Video
• Passive instrumentation tutorials Slides Part 1
• Passive instrumentation tutorials Slides Part 2

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch break

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Tutorial 2: Radio astronomy instrumentation

• Dr. Steven W. Ellingson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech

Materials

• Tutorial 2: Radio astronomy instrumentation Video
  • Part 1 - Intro
  • Part 2 - Antennas & Receivers
  • Part 3 - Back Ends
  • Part 4 - Sources
  • Part 5 - Interferometry
  • Part 6 - Interference
• Tutorial 2: Radio astronomy instrumentation Slides

DAY 2: Main workshop day. Mar. 17, 2021. 12:30 - 5 p.m. EDT

12:30 - 12:40 p.m. - Welcome and overview from the organizers

• Mariya Zheleva, Chris Anderson and Kevin Gifford

12:40 - 1 p.m. - Thoughts from NSF

• B. Ashley Zauderer

1 - 2 p.m. - Fireside chat and Q&A: First Do No Harm, now how do we exist together?

• Moderated by Dr. Keith Gremban, University of Colorado Boulder and DoD.

Fireside chat and Q&A: First Do No Harm, now how do we exist together? Video

• Andrew Clegg, Google
• David DeBoer, Department of Astronomy, University of California Berkeley

2 - 3 p.m. - Panel on passive/active applications and coexistence

Speakers will be asked to give their perspective on a passive/active technology and emerging spectrum coexistence issues.

• Moderated by Eloise Morris

Panel on passive/active applications and coexistence Video

• Steven C. Reising, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University
  Passive weather sensing
• Josep Jornet, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University
  Terahertz communications
• Michael Marcus, Marcus Spectrum Solutions LLC
  Satellite communications
• Charles Powell, Climate and Space Science Engineering, University of Michigan
  Earth Exploration-Satellite Service
• Dennis Roberson, Roberson and Associates, LLC
  Mobile Broadband
• Frank Lind, MIT Haystack Observatory
  Radio astronomy

3 - 3:10 p.m. - Break

3:10 - 3:20 p.m. - Q&A with panelists

3:20 - 4:20 p.m. - Breakout rooms (20-minute rotations)

Breakouts will be facilitated by pairs of panelists. Breakout themes will be:

• [Passive] Radio Astronomy + [Active] Mobile Broadband
• [Passive] EESS + [Active] Satellite Mega-Constellations
• [Passive] Passive weather sensing + [Active] THz communications

4:20 - 5 p.m. - Breakout room debrief

Documents

National Radio Quiet and Dynamic Zones, Thomas Kidd, CHIPS: The Department of the Navy's Information Technology Magazine

Shattering siloed spectrum sharing mechanisms for future NRDZs

Meeting Outcomes:

• Nov. 16 - 17, 2021 Meeting Summary.
• Nov. 16 - 17, 2021 Video Recording.

General Information:

Nov. 16 - 17, 2021
Virtually via Zoom (Zoom access information will be provided to registered attendees).

Scope and Goal:

National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ) are being advocated for as a means to advance the state of wireless communications, to support the design of next generation wireless networks with practical, real-world, regional test sites, and to ensure the continued successful operation of passive services in an increasingly crowded spectrum. The utility of the radio spectrum depends on the harmonious coexistence of active communications systems, passive scientific systems, and orbital remote sensing systems. The state in spectrum coexistence mechanisms across these technologies is vastly different: from automated and measurement-driven spectrum allocation for commercial broadband to manual leases across scientific users, and disparate users are generally not aware of each other's capabilities.

The goal of this workshop is to familiarize the broader community of active, scientific and remote sensing users with the state-of-the-art in their respective spectrum management and allocation mechanisms. A hackathon 'sprint' will challenge participants to develop and propose solutions to grand challenges faced by spectrum sharing inside NRDZs.

Workshop Organizers:

• Christopher R. Anderson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, United States Naval Academy.
• Mariya Zheleva, Computer Science, University at Albany, SUNY.
• Chris De Pree, National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
• Joel Johnson, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University.
• Mustafa Aksoy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University at Albany, SUNY.

Agenda

Before The Workshop

View the Workshop 2 read-ahead material. Please review this material before the workshop to understand key NRDZ issues and topics, which have also informed the agenda for this workshop.

DAY 1: Spectrum coexistence tutorials. Nov. 16, 2021. 12:55 - 4 p.m. EDT

Day 1 will feature several tutorials on the state-of-the-art in spectrum sharing from experts in the passive and active communities.

12:55 - 1 p.m. Welcome and overview from the organizers.

• Mariya Zheleva, Chris Anderson, Chris DePree, Joel Johnson and Mustafa Aksoy

1 - 2:20 p.m. Tutorial 1: Examples of Methods Used to Protect Incumbents in 3.5 GHz CBRS and 6 GHz AFC with Relevance to Passive/Active Spectrum Sharing

• Andrew Clegg, Google

Materials:

• Tutorial 1: Examples of Methods Used to Protect Incumbents in 3.5 GHz CBRS and 6 GHz AFC with Relevance to Passive/Active Spectrum Sharing Video
• Tutorial 1: Examples of Methods Used to Protect Incumbents in 3.5 GHz CBRS and 6 GHz AFC with Relevance to Passive/Active Spectrum Sharing Slides

2:20 - 2:30 p.m. Break

2:30 - 4 p.m. Tutorial 2: Spectrum management for radio astronomy -- VLA telescope scheduling

• Amy Mioduszewski, NRAO

Materials

• Tutorial 2: Spectrum management for radio astronomy -- VLA telescope scheduling Video
• Tutorial 2: Spectrum management for radio astronomy -- VLA telescope scheduling Slides

DAY 2: Main workshop day. Nov. 17, 2021. 12:30 - 5:20 p.m. EDT

12:30 - 12:40 p.m. - Welcome and overview from the organizers.

• Mariya Zheleva, Chris Anderson, Chris De Pree, Joel Johnson and Mustafa Aksoy

12:40 - 1 p.m. - Thoughts from NSF

• John Chapin, NSF

Materials

• Thoughts from NSF Video
• Thoughts from NSF Slides

1 - 2 p.m. - Fireside chat and QnA: Now that there is pie on the table, how do we divide it?

• Moderated by Dr. Monisha Ghosh, University of Notre Dame.

Fireside chat and QnA: Now that there is pie on the table, how do we divide it? Video

• John Zuzek, National Spectrum Program Manager at NASA
• Wayne Phoel, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland
• Paul Kolodzy, Kolodzy Consulting

2 - 3:10 p.m. - Panel: Building the coffee shop in the library.

This panel will bring together experts across spectrum sharing technologies and application domains. The panel will present several grand challenges to NRDZ spectrum sharing that emerged from our community efforts over the past year. Panelists will offer their expert opinion on approaches to tackle these challenges and open problems that will require a collaborative approach.

• Moderated by Liese van Zee, Department of Astronomy, Indiana University – Bloomington.

Panel: Building the coffee shop in the library Video

• James Neel, Senior Technologist, Federated Wireless
  Centralized SAS-based spectrum management
• Danijela Cabric, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCLA
  Distributed algorithms for resource allocation in coexisting networks
• Greg Taylor, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UNM
  Low frequency radio astronomy
• Jeff Piepmeier, Chief Passive Microwave Instrument Engineer, NASA
  Remote sensing; spectrum management for Earth Science Technologies
• Kimberly Baum, Vice President Spectrum Engineering and Strategy, OneWeb
  Satellite megaconstellations
• Kobus Van der Merwe, Professor, School of Computing, University of Utah
  POWDER-RENEW testbed. NRDZs in existing testbeds.

3:10 - 3:20 p.m. - Break

3:20 - 3:50 p.m. - QnA with panelists

3:50 - 4:50 p.m. - Grand challenges sprints

The sprints will be facilitated by pairs of panelists. Participants will work collaboratively to leverage their knowledge in existing spectrum sharing towards solving grand challenges in shared spectrum access for NRDZs.

• Policy sprint -- build a policy framework for NRDZ. There are two extremes for a potential policy framework including (i) no licensing procedures; all unlicensed, show up, plug into the system and do whatever experiments you need in the zone; and (ii) fully-fleshed FCC+NTIA licensing. Where does an NRDZ need to be on this spectrum to allow quick experimentation with stakeholder protections? How do we realize this?
• Monitoring sprint -- conceptualize a spectrum monitoring system for NRDZ that can support (i) the wide range of target frequencies (30MHz - 200GHz and potentially into THz); (ii) the vastly different sensitivity levels required by participating technologies (i.e. 120dB difference between radio astronomy and active communications); and (iii) the differences in the geographical footprint of NRDZ technologies?
• Experiment management sprint -- conceptualize an experiment management system to allocate NRDZ resources to experiments considering all stakeholders needs. Develop a schema for information exchange across disparate stakeholders in support of NRDZ resource allocation.

4:50 - 5:15 p.m. - Sprints review and retrospective

Each sprint team will be asked to provide a brief update on the outcomes of their discussion.

5:15 - 5:20 p.m. - Closing remarks

Documents

Current Findings from the NRDZ Initiative. These findings are based on meetings with stakeholders in the period April 2021 - October 2021. Please, read these ahead of the workshop to understand key issues and topics in the context of NRDZ, which have also informed the agenda for this workshop.

National Radio Quiet and Dynamic Zones, Thomas Kidd, CHIPS: The Department of the Navy's Information Technology Magazine