Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies - Satellite-Terrestrial Coexistence

The National Science Foundation's Directorates for Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Geosciences (GEO) are coordinating efforts to identify new concepts and ideas on Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT). A key aspect of the SWIFT program, now in its fourth year, is its focus on effective spectrum utilization and/or coexistence techniques, especially with passive uses, which have received less attention from researchers. Coexistence is when two or more applications use the same frequency band at the same time and/or at the same location, yet do not adversely affect one another. Coexistence is especially difficult when at least one of the spectrum users is passive, i.e., not transmitting any radio frequency (RF) energy. Within the general area of the SWIFT program, this SWIFT-SAT solicitation focuses on satellite-terrestrial coexistence and covers both radio-spectrum and optical-wavelength coexistence.

Examples of coexisting systems may include passive and active systems (e.g., radio astronomy and wireless broadband communication systems, or airborne and elevated transmitters such as satellites) or two active systems (e.g., space-borne radar and terrestrial communications). Example topics include communications at scale such as large-scale MIMO and intelligence surfaces, reconfigurable transceivers, energy efficient and low-power communications, innovative spectrum use and management such as joint communication and sensing, and resilient spectrum sharing, just to name a few. Another topic of interest is the growing challenge of coexistence between ground-based astronomy and large networks of low-Earth orbiting satellites, including sunlight reflections, thermal emissions, and optical/infrared inter-satellite links. As ground-based optical/infrared astronomy continues to advance in sensitivity and breadth of sky coverage, the need to maintain and enhance this capability in an increasingly congested optical/infrared/radio environment will become increasingly acute. Research projects to address these issues may involve innovative satellite technology and designs that take into account satellite constellation requirements (e.g., thermal balance), innovations in astronomical instrumentation or post-processing algorithms, advancements in coordination methodologies (e.g., use of telemetry or orbital information), and other solutions.

The goal of these research projects may be the creation of new technology or significant enhancements to existing wireless infrastructure, with an aim to benefit society by improving spectrum utilization and ancillary challenges, beyond mere spectrum efficiency. The SWIFT program encourages collaborative team research that transcends the traditional boundaries of individual disciplines. SELECTED LIST OF ACRONYMS

AI Artificial Intelligence
EARS Enhancing Access to the Radio Spectrum
EESS Earth Exploration-Satellite service
EM Electromagnetic
IoT Internet of Things
ITU International Telecommunication Union
MICS Medical Implant Communication System
NRDZ National Radio Dynamic Zone
PAWR Platform on Advanced Wireless Research
RAS Radio Astronomy Service
RF Radio Frequency
RFI Radio Frequency Interference
RFID Radio Frequency Identification Device
RR Radio Regulations
SpecEES Spectrum Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, and Security UAS Unmanned Aircraft Systems

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. - NSF-sponsored FFRDCs including NOIRLab, NRAO, and NCAR. *Who May Serve as PI: By the submission deadline, any PI, co-PI, or other senior project personnel must hold either: · a tenured or tenure-track position, or · a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position at a US-based campus of an IHE eligible to submit to this solicitation (see above) or at an NSF-sponsored FFRDC, with exceptions granted for family or medical leave, as determined by the submitting organization. Individuals with primary appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations, non-profit non-academic organizations, or at overseas branch campuses of US IHEs are not eligible.