Cognitive Networks: Towards Self-Aware Networks

10.7. Conclusion

With the advance of technologies collectively associated with cognitive radios, there is a growing need to standardize the data and knowledge structures related to the spectrum environment so as to enable mechanical and automated methods for spectrum access. Such activities are a way to architect the systems and conventions surrounding human use of the radio spectrum so as to make it possible for such radio devices to coexist with themselves and other devices. Without a common understanding of the radio domain and spectrum policy (i.e., the 'rules of the game'), dynamic spectrum access would not be feasible. Additionally, it would almost certainly be necessary for radios to share a common language in which they could communicate special circumstances that would cause the 'rules of the game' (e.g., operational or policy) to be altered or suspended, such as during emergency situations. As discussed in this chapter, the precision in expression of knowledge and the ability of that knowledge to be utilized in a mechanical fashion as enabled by formal semantics and knowledge representation illustrates the semantic side of cognitive radios.