Physical layer algorithms and architectures for accurate detection and classification in cognitive radios

Abstract

They say that you are on your own in your Ph.D. They may be wrong. An outstanding group of people have come together to make this thesis possible. And I would like to thank all those people who have supported me. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Vinod A. Prasad. Without his guidance, encouragement, and timely help I could never have finished my doctoral work in Nanyang Technological University. I remain amazed at his dedication and motivation towards work. He not only provided me technical guidance, but also helped me build my character and personality. I thank him for his patience and understanding and for giving me the freedom to explore. I am indebted to him for his discussions and personal advices that go beyond the academics. I hope I could take a leaf out of his book and emulate him in the future. I am greatly indebted to my co-supervisor, Dr. A.S. Madhukumar, who bombarded me with technical questions whenever I went to discuss with him. This helped me in critically analyzing my research methods constantly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank European Aeronautics Defense and Space (EADS) Company for sponsoring my Ph.D. I express my most sincere gratitude to Dr. Anoop Kumar Krishna, Senior Expert at EADS Innovation Works, for providing me precious technical guidance, support and care throughout my Ph.D. as well as an internship opportunity in the final stages of my work. The one year long internship at EADS Innovation Works, Singapore played a major role in shaping my thesis. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Timo Bretschneider, EADS Innovation Works, for providing me with valuable advice on life and time management during my thesis writing. My vote of thanks is inadequate without the special mention of my lab seniors, Dr. Mahesh, Dr. Smitha, and Dr. Kavitha, for all their untiring help and motivation. My heartfelt thanks to my fellow lab mates, Sumit, Navin, Neethu, Rakesh, Supriya, Prashob, Mengda, Sumedh and Abhishek, for always being ready for a technical discussion in the lab. I also would like to thank the CHiPES lab's technical staff, Mr. Jeremiah and Ms. Merilyn, for providing an easy and quick access to the resources and facilities. III Words fail me to express my love and appreciation to my best friend 'Basu' for her support, care and love. Past several years have not been an easy ride, both academically and personally. Reelina (her original name) was always beside me through thick and thin. She was not the wind beneath the wings, but the wings itself. I was also lucky to have a wonderful group of close friends in Hari, Mani and Manish. They always had my back, providing me help and advice about everything under the sun. Hari, for sticking with me for 9 years and being the pillar of strength whenever I went weak, providing me financial, academic and emotional support whenever I was in need, Manish for the 'brotherhood' he shared and for proofreading my thesis, Mani for being the nonchalant, leg-pulling friend he always was. He ...