AJ Cuddeback, Scott E. Palo, and Philip J. Erickson

Abstract:

This paper surveys the current marketplace offerings for low-cost software-defined radio (SDR) technology and proposes a framework for cost-optimizing distributed sensing networks using a scenario in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band. To determine which SDR to select, it is necessary to model sensor performance within its operating context. We identify detection radius as a metric of primary concern in cost-optimizing a sensor network, and determine that further work is required to evaluate the sensitivity of low-cost SDRs.

Keywords: broadband; spectrum survey; software defined radio (SDR); sensors; sensitivity; context modeling

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