Revolutionary Cognitive Antennas for Space Networks Interoperability.

With the emergence of spacecraft mega-constellations, there is a need to accurately predict the dynamic communications environment to support near-Earth services for human and science exploration missions. Environmental and in-situ awareness of the platform is a key ingredient to autonomous spacecraft communications optimization. We propose a Cognitive Antenna that is an environmentally perceptive antenna, which can sense and transmit radio frequency signals and cooperate with a Cognitive Radio to modify waveform and beam pattern characteristics for enhanced resiliency and enhanced communications. In this paper, a trade-off analysis of machine learning algorithms is performed for a wideband Cognitive Antenna system where spectral, spatial, and temporal information can be exploited at the antenna to address the shortage of available radio spectrum by improving dynamic spectrum access and enabling compatibility among various space networks.