Moderate time-scale dynamic spectrum access with wide-area spectrum sensors

Dynamic spectrum access research usually considers very short time-scale secondary access based on spectrum sensing local to the radio. Recent discussion of market mechanisms in civil spectrum management consider longer time-scales of hours and days, still much faster than current processes. We conjecture that many of the benefits of dynamic spectrum management can be realized on a time-scale of minutes or hours. It is desirable to utilize wide area spectrum sensing data from sensors that are not co-located with radios for this purpose. Two aspects of wide area spectrum sensing that will affect system performance are examined here: transmitter location accuracy, and the allowable delay in incorporating sensor results into a new frequency plan.