Cognitive radio system (CRS) technology can help respond to the growing mobile traffic demand by improving network resource usage and gaining access to new shared spectrum bands. This article presents a cognitive radio trial environment (CORE) consisting of cognitive engines (CEs) to control different radio systems [e.g., long-term evolution (LTE) and wireless open-access research platform (WARP)-based networks]. Load balancing and authorized shared access (ASA) are demonstrated using the trial environment with promising results. The ASA-based spectrum sharing trial is presented for the first time with a real-life mobile network accessing a shared spectrum band under a licensed shared access (LSA) regime. Cognitive decision making brings intelligence to the usage of the radio and network resources and, at best, increases considerably end users? quality of service (QoS) compared to the standard systems, as shown for QoS-based offloading.

This paper presents the results from a live field trial of the new Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using a TD-LTE network in the 2.3 GHz spectrum band in Finland. In the trial a live LTE network shares the spectrum from incumbent programme making and special events (PMSE) service including cordless cameras without causing harmful interference. The trial implements the new LSA concept and the required new building blocks including LSA Repository for spectrum availability information and LSA Controller for commanding the mobile communication network in the band. The trial uses a real TD-LTE base station, real network management system, and real core network. Incumbent spectrum usage data is collected to the LSA Repository and used by the LSA Controller to retrieve available spectrum bands. LSA Controller uses the network management system to configure the base station according to the spectrum availability information. Incumbent spectrum users' rights are protected by evacuating the LSA band and handing users over from the LTE network to other networks when requested by the incumbent spectrum user. Numerical results are presented to quantify the duration of the LSA band evacuation process. The demonstration shows that the new LSA concept can be implemented with existing network elements and a minimum amount of new components. The first performance results on the LSA band evacuation times indicate that the LSA band can be evacuated and released in good time and the incumbents' rights can be protected.

In this paper, we describe a spectrum access system (SAS) based Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) field trial using a live LTE network in the 3.5 GHz band. The latest WInnForum specification guided the implementation of the relevant protocols for SAS operation. Here, we evaluate the performance of a CBRS field trial by using one of the most important performance indicators in a spectrum sharing scenario - the evacuation time. It indicates how rapidly the secondary user relinquishes the shared spectrum band to the primary user. Following the applied protocols, we measure and analyze the time scales for the evacuation and frequency change procedures in a field trial environment. Our work shows that the set time limits for the protection of primary users against interference are realistic when using commercially available mobile networks and equipment. Finally, utilizing knowledge of the latest base station models, we propose ways to reduce the evacuation and reconfiguration time by up to 70%.

In this paper, the design and development of wireless sensor and actuator networks that enable Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions are investigated from the perspective of cognitive infocommunications. The reasons, requirements, and issues related to adaptive systems and architectures are presented, and the corresponding intra-cognitive and inter-cognitive communications are examined. The current and future roles of infocommunications in the design of IoT solutions are indicated via several case experiments in different application domains.

The need for high-quality communications networks is urgent in data-based farming. A particular challenge is how to achieve reliable, cost-efficient, secure, and broadband last-mile data transfer to enable agricultural machine control. The trialed ad hoc private communications networks built and interconnected with different alternative wireless technologies, including 4G, 5G, satellite and tactical networks, provide interesting practical solutions for connectivity. A remotely controlled tractor is exemplified as a use case of machine control in the demonstrated private communication network. This paper describes the results of a comparative technology analysis and a field trial in a realistic environment. The study includes the practical implementation of video monitoring and the optimization of the control channel for remote-controlled unmanned agricultural tractors. The findings from this study verify and consolidate the requirements for network technologies and for cybersecurity enablers. They highlight insights into the suitability of different wireless technologies for smart farming and tractor scenarios and identify potential paths for future research.