Method and apparatus for cognitive radio policy change

Abstract

A method of operation of a cognitive radio in a hierarchical group of cognitive radios, the hierarchy of cognitive radios including at least one master cognitive radio that has a higher position in the hierarchy than another of the cognitive radios in the group, consistent with the present invention, involves establishing a first operational policy for the group of cognitive radios; determining that the operational policy is unsuitable for use by at least one member of the group; and the master cognitive radio dictating a change in the operational policy used by the group to a second operational policy for use by the group.

1 . A method of operation of a cognitive radio in a hierarchical group of cognitive radios, the hierarchy of cognitive radios including at least one master cognitive radio that has a higher position in the hierarchy than another of the cognitive radios in the group, comprising:
 establishing a first operational policy for the group of cognitive radios;   determining that the operational policy is unsuitable for use by at least one member of the group; and   the master cognitive radio dictating a change in the operational policy used by the group to a second operational policy for use by the group.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dictating comprises determining a new operational policy for use by the group. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dictated change in operational policy comprises synchronizing timing of all cognitive radios in the group and sending a the second operational policy to the group of cognitive radios. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the determining comprises downloading the second operational policy. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises querying a cognitive radio in the group to determine its operational capabilities. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second operational policy comprises a prohibition of at least one radio from communication. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises receiving a beacon from a cognitive radio in the group indicating that the new operational policy is unsuitable. 
   
   
       8 . A computer readable electronic storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a programmed processor, carries out the process according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       9 . A master cognitive radio, comprising:
 a software configurable transceiver;   a control processor that executes program instructions to implement:   establishing a first operational policy for the group of cognitive radios;   determining that the operational policy is unsuitable for use by at least one member of the group; and   the master cognitive radio dictating a change in the operational policy used by the group to a second operational policy for use by the group.   
   
   
       10 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein the determination that the operational policy is not suitable comprises determining that the operational policy based upon the received policy information being beyond the capabilities of at least one of the cognitive radios in the group. 
   
   
       11 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein the determination that the operational policy is not suitable comprises receiving a beacon signal from at least one of the cognitive radios in the group. 
   
   
       12 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 11 , wherein the beacon contains a description of the capabilities of the cognitive radio. 
   
   
       13 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second operational policies is obtained by reference to a database within the master cognitive radio. 
   
   
       14 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , further comprising a digital signal processor that processes transmitted and received data from and to the master cognitive radio's transceiver respectively, and wherein establishing at least one of the first and second operational policies further comprises configuring the digital signal processor with parameters of the at least one of the first and second operational policies. 
   
   
       15 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein the dictated change in operational policy comprises synchronizing timing of all cognitive radios in the group and sending a the second operational policy to the group of cognitive radios. 
   
   
       16 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein the second operational policy is downloaded from a server. 
   
   
       17 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 9 , wherein the determining comprises querying a cognitive radio in the group to determine its operational capabilities. 
   
   
       18 . The master cognitive radio according to  claim 1 , wherein the second operational policy comprises a prohibition of at least one radio from communication. 
   
   
       19 . A cognitive radio, comprising:
 a software configurable transceiver;   a control processor that executes program instructions to implement:   receiving policy information;   determining that an operational policy based upon the received policy information is not suitable for use by the cognitive radio; and   transmitting a beacon requesting new policy information.   
   
   
       20 . The cognitive radio according to  claim 19 , wherein the determination that the operational policy based upon the received policy information is not suitable comprises determining that the operational policy is beyond the capabilities of the cognitive radio. 
   
   
       21 . The cognitive radio according to  claim 19 , wherein the beacon contains a description of the capabilities of the cognitive radio. 
   
   
       22 . The cognitive radio according to  claim 19 , further comprising a digital signal processor that processes transmitted and received data from and to the cognitive radio's transceiver respectively, and wherein establishing at least one of the first and second operational policies further comprises configuring the digital signal processor with parameters of the at least one of the first and second operational policies.