Laneman Co-Chairs IEEE International Symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DySPAN)

J. Nicholas Laneman, Professor, and Co-Director of the Wireless Institute, Co-Chairs the IEEE International Symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DySPAN) in March 2017. This unique conference mixes technology and policy issues to make it the premier meeting for discussing and exploring advanced spectrum technologies.

With the push to “5G” cellular, the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), the growing popularity and utility of aerial drones, and numerous innovative radio-based services, the already crowded airwaves are becoming more congested.  So it is critical not only that more spectrum be made available but also that existing spectrum use become more efficient. Compounding both of these issues is the trend that governments around the world are concluding that the approach of clearing spectrum for exclusive use is not viable, and that “sharing” must become the norm.  For example, the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued a report in 2006 that found “clearing and reallocation of Federal spectrum is not a sustainable basis for spectrum policy due to the high cost, lengthy time to implement, and disruption to the Federal mission.” Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), Cognitive Radio, and related technologies are crucial components to making more spectrum available and more efficiently utilizing this vital resource.

Our hope is that DySPAN 2017 continues the effort of being a forum for presentations, papers, and discussions that entwines technology and policy more closely. Doing so will provide policymakers with a better understanding of the technical implications of existing and proposed public policy, and hopefully, provide a clearer path to sound policy.