Wireless Spectrum Research and Development

The Wireless Spectrum Interagency Working Group (WSRD IWG) was formed in 2011 to coordinate Federal R&D across 18 participating agencies and to inventory, coordinate, and make recommendations that promote efficient use of wireless spectrum through advanced technologies and systems. In addition, WSRD works with academic and the private sectors to help develop priorities, encourage private investment, and develop public/private partnerships when appropriate.

Strategic Priorities

• Increase spectrum efficiency, flexibility, and adaptability through the development of new methods, models, and measurements, including for 5G systems.
• Design robust, secure, and dependable wireless spectrum systems and networks including the exploration of trust and coexistence between different types of systems and networks.
• Build devices that can monitor their spectrum environment and adapt in real time using methods such as machine learning, visualization, collaborative planning and decentralized decision-making.
• Expand communications capacity using higher-frequency bands (>20 GHz) and optical links to enable capabilities such as air-to-air communications and movement of data into and out of space.
• Accelerate the development of usable spectrum tools by providing testing, modeling, and simulation programs and facilities such as the Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research.