METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING THE USE OF THE RADIO SPECTRUM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT THEREFOR

A system for scanning a frequency spectrum to detect usage thereof includes an ultra-wideband receiver for performing the scanning, and cooperates with a spectrum usage estimator module and a radio controller unit. The spectrum usage estimator module derives from the scanning performed via the ultra-wideband receiver information as to usage of individual bands in the frequency spectrum. The radio controller unit controls operation of a radio cognitive system as a function of the information as to usage of individual bands in the frequency spectrum as derived by the spectrum usage estimator module. The radio cognitive system operates over unused bands in the frequency spectrum.