RE: [Discuss-gnuradio] Salon article -- off topic

[Ettus, Matt]

> This was an interesting read, but I'm concerned about changing
> spectrum policy based on a bunch of powerpoint slides saying that it
> is possible to make a smart radio. 

A lot of people have done a lot of research.

> Putting my receiver engineer hat on, my mind boggles at the receiver
> linearity specifications needed to receive a femto watt 802.11
> transmission while not being pounded into a quivering blob by a
> megawatt FM radio station. 

Nobody said there would be no power limits.  Nobody said your 802.11
couldn't move itself to another frequency.  Nobody said megawatt FM stations
will continue to exist, or that they would be allowed in open spectrum
bands.

> The software to make this all work is conceptually feasible, although
> it isn't written. The RF front ends to do this will require some major
> technology breakthroughs. 

no, not if power is limited.

> On the other hand, given the speed of government, perhaps it's time to
> start kicking the tires on open spectrum. 

That's what is happening now.  I don't think anyone holds out hope that this
will happen all at once.  Spectrum will be reallocated in pieces.  When the
FCC thinks that the only way to make use of it is to give exclusive rights,
that's what they do.  When people point out that unlicensed services can
make better use of a band, they may give it to the unlicensed services.