In today’s hyperconnected world, wireless communication faces a critical challenge known as the “spectrum crunch.” Spectrum crunch results from more devices vying for limited frequencies, creating an overcrowded radio frequency spectrum — a bottleneck that disrupts communication. Spectrum crunch threatens not only everyday conveniences like cellphone connectivity but also essential services, such as emergency response times, global positioning systems, and military operations.
When Hussein Moradi joined the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in 2009, spectrum crunch was already a significant concern, and the challenge has continued to escalate. With his background in wireless communications from the private sector, Moradi, a wireless communications chief scientist at INL, was tasked with developing a solution to efficiently utilize spectrum frequencies amidst increasing demand. He partnered with University of Utah professor Behrouz Farhang to tackle the complex mathematics behind analyzing and modifying digital communication signals.
This led to the inception of the Wireless Spectrum Communication (WSComm) project, an INL Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) initiative. LDRD is a program that enables INL to foster creativity and exploration of new scientific and technological frontiers by supporting high-value research and development projects. LDRD projects often result in novel solutions to complex problems.
In the case of WSComm, what started as an LDRD project has evolved into crucial spectrum-sharing technology that has solved communication challenges for federal law enforcement and military users.