InterDigital, Inc, a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to lead research and conduct demonstrations of advanced spectrum coexistence for civil and military applications.  Spectrum sharing optimizes the use of the airwaves, or wireless communications channels, by enabling multiple categories of users to safely share the same frequency bands.

A consortium led by InterDigital, including DeepSig, Skylark Wireless, Virginia Tech, and Radisys, will endeavor to advance spectrum coexistence. The collaboration will focus on developing and testing new technologies that leverage artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, and commercial 5G systems. The need for this work stems from the high demand for mid-band frequencies, which are essential for both defense radar and commercial wireless applications due to their balance of coverage and capacity. The goal is to enhance dynamic spectrum sharing performance, ensuring national security radar systems can function without interference while enabling commercial 5G to operate in the same frequency bands.

The consortium plans to develop new technologies that will enable government and industry systems to “more seamlessly coexist.” Examples are given as low-latency AI-based distributed spectrum sensing and interference mitigation operations performed locally at cellular base stations and user equipment.

“InterDigital’s heritage of research has produced innovations that make it possible for radar and communications to coexist in ways that were not feasible,” said InterDigital CTO Rajesh Pankaj. “Building on our groundbreaking work in sensing and AI integration, we can foster greater collaboration between government and industry to achieve more efficient sharing of one of our most valuable resources. We look forward to working with the DoW and alongside these esteemed partners and suppliers.”

“DeepSig is proud to support the DoW and InterDigital in advancing dynamic spectrum sharing technologies,” said DeepSig CEO Jim Shea. “Our AI-native spectrum sensing and communications software was developed to help meet this need and brings the speed, accuracy and adaptability needed to ensure that critical defense systems and commercial 5G networks can safely and efficiently coexist. This project represents an important step toward unlocking the full potential of mid-band spectrum for both national security and next-generation connectivity, and offers to help unlock future band-sharing for 6G and beyond.”

Skylark Director of Business Development & Product Samir Rahi added: “Skylark is pleased to have been selected as a collaborator for the DoW and InterDigital’s coalition of US-based partners to support dynamic spectrum-sharing solutions. This activity builds upon Skylark’s prior success in related DoW programs. Specifically, our flexible architecture for last-mile connectivity is designed to integrate best-of-breed technologies in real-time, from partners such as InterDigital and DeepSig, at the pace of innovation required to support national interests. Skylark believes the DoW’s initiatives such as this represent the United States’ emerging capabilities in deploying dynamic spectrum-sharing at scale, providing dual use benefits for the commercial sector while simultaneously advancing national security objectives.”

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This project will leverage InterDigital’s proven foundational dynamic spectrum sharing technologies, which have been successfully demonstrated in commercial deployments and validated through prior government initiatives. The team will build upon this baseline with new and innovative technologies, including low-latency AI-based distributed spectrum sensing and interference mitigation operations performed locally at cellular base stations and user equipment. These new technologies will enable government and industry systems to more seamlessly coexist.

Image Credit: Blue Planet Studio   SHUTTERSTOCK

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About InterDigital®

InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq.

InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.

For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.

InterDigital Contact:Roya StephensEmail: [email protected] +1 (202) 349-1714

About DeepSig, Inc.DeepSig is a pioneer in AI native wireless communications which are helping to shape 6G. Its transformative technology pushes the boundaries of spectrum sensing, wireless performance and network capabilities. Drawing on its expertise in deep learning, wireless systems and signal processing, DeepSig’s AI/ML-powered software enhances security, efficiency and capacity for tactical and commercial wireless communications in licensed or shared radio spectrum and in existing 5G Open RAN or AI native next generation 6G networks.

For more information, visit: https://www.deepsig.ai/

DeepSig Contact: [email protected]

About Skylark Wireless

Skylark Wireless is building the interface between the physical and digital worlds by connecting industrial, enterprise, and public sector customers through a dynamic, converged communications platform. The company designs and manufactures US-assembled critical infrastructure for last-mile connectivity that combines patented techniques to improve range, performance, and interference mitigation with a fully software-defined radio architecture. This fusion of efficiency and flexibility uniquely supports an ever-growing collection of value-add use cases as networks evolve from 5G to 6G and beyond. To learn more about Skylark’s connectivity solution, please contact [email protected]

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Other Spectrum Activities:

• Earlier in 2025, the GSMA’s global 5G spectrum landscape stated mid-band remains the backbone of 5G deployments, while interest in both low-band and mmWave “continues to evolve in line with network strategies and future 6G planning.”
• ITU-R WP 5D develops the methodologies for carrying out sharing and coexistence studies between IMT and other radio services, such as broadcasting and satellite services. These studies address issues like potential interference and define separation criteria and technical conditions for coexistence.
• WP 5D’s work also addresses the evolution of spectrum management to incorporate more efficient techniques like dynamic spectrum access (DSA).
• As part of its process, WP 5D collaborates with and receives input from various external organizations, research communities, and other ITU-R Working Parties. This collaborative approach ensures that the spectrum management and coexistence frameworks for IMT systems are robust and informed by diverse perspectives. 

References:

InterDigital to Lead Research and Demonstrate Advanced Spectrum Coexistence; DeepSig to Partner

https://www.nist.gov/spectrum-sharing

Why Spectrum Sharing is Critical for the Future of Connectivity

mmWave Coalition on the need for very high frequency spectrum; DSA on dynamic spectrum sharing in response to NSF RFI

Big 5G Conference: 6G spectrum sharing should learn from CBRS experiences