Method and apparatus for setting and managing operational dynamics within cognitive radio networks
View Patent ↗In certain embodiments, a method for managing operational parameters of a cognitive radio device to minimize non-compliance with a regulatory policy involves sensing a change in an operational condition that will affect compliance with a current operational policy; estimating a time at which the current operational policy will become invalid; selecting a method for determining how to update the current operational policy; and updating the current operational policy of the cognitive radio device. Other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or other elements.
1. A cognitive radio device comprising:
a software configurable transceiver; and
a control processor that is configured under software control to manage operational parameters of the cognitive radio device to minimize non-compliance with a regulatory policy by:
sensing a regulatory domain boundary that will affect compliance with a current regulatory policy;
estimating a time at which the current regulatory policy will become invalid, wherein estimating is based upon at least one of: a complexity of the current regulatory policy, a capability of the cognitive radio, and a penalty for non-compliance with a regulatory policy;
determining how to update the current regulatory policy; and
updating the current regulatory policy of the cognitive radio device.
2. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy from a history of regulatory policy compliance.
3. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy based upon a time available to implement an updated regulatory policy.
4. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy by evaluation of a penalty for non-compliance with a regulatory policy.
5. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy by determining a time needed for implementing a full regulatory policy.
6. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy by retrieving a cached regulatory policy.
7. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy from a regulatory policy decision tree.
8. The cognitive radio device according to claim 7 wherein the regulatory policy decision tree comprises a simplified regulatory policy decision tree.
9. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy by selection of a simplified regulatory policy.
10. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein determining how to update the current regulatory policy comprises determining a regulatory policy by selection of a default regulatory policy.
11. The cognitive radio device according to claim 1 wherein updating the current regulatory policy comprises obtaining a regulatory policy decision from an authority with greater computing power than the cognitive radio.