Spectrum Management Justin Taylor ATS systems
What Is Spectrum Management Spectrum management refers to the process of regulating the RF spectrum, either for an entire country or at a particular location Generally spectrum management covers frequencies from 3KHz to 300GHz, civilian, government or military The role of effective spectrum management is to optimize the RF frequency spectrum for maximum efficiency, implement new standards and detect illegal spectrum usage
What Is Spectrum Management A large problem, frequency allocation plan for the UK shows the complexity of spectrum allocation between 3KHz and 300GHz. Making sure all systems work with no interference is a big job
What Is Spectrum Management Up-to the mid 1980s, spectrum management was mainly concerned with regulating commercial radio and TV broadcasters Today fewer than 15% of household watch or listen to over the air broadcast signals only. Today s home can have multiple RF systems available AM broadcast FM broadcast DVB, DAB WIFI Mobile phones, mobile wireless Satellite TV Bluetooth Amateur radio PMR walkie talkies Radio controlled toys
Tools For Spectrum Management Spectrum analyzer Sweep frequency band Search for interference Commercial receiver Listen to services Determine signal quality and content Direction finding equipment Locate illegal or interference causing transmitters
RF Measurements 1. Is the transmission licensed to that frequency, and transmits the correct power level 2. Is the transmitter licensed and does it have the correct modulation and no distortion 3. Does the audio/picture quality adhere to the defined standard and is the transmitted content within regulation standards 4. Does the system work efficiently over the required geographical range, and does it cause interference with other systems
Modern Measurement Techniques Modern monitor systems use wideband analogue to digital converters RF bandwidths can be monitored at high speed without sweeping Digital processing, and monitoring features can be developed using software running on modern processers Fully automated monitoring systems can be produced, monitoring many carriers at the same time
Automated Monitoring Systems Example systems from Aeroflex Wideband signal monitor and recorder Self contained portable monitoring system Up to 18GHz frequency coverage possible Up to 12GHz frequency coverage 400MHz capture bandwidth 40MHz capture bandwidth RAID signal storage or streaming possible Fast scanning sweep, 12GHz in a few seconds with 100Hz resolution Automated monitoring software with GPS time and positioning creates signal reports Full suite of analysis software Automated monitoring software with GPS time and positioning creates signal reports
Automated Monitoring Systems Dedicated monitor and analysis software Reference plots can be set as spectral masks with automatic alarm, and report writing if unauthorised signals appear, or authorised signals disappear Many bands can be monitored simultaneously due to fast scanning tuners System can record unauthorised signals allowing for further offline investigations Real-time demodulation of analogue video and audio
Military Applications Monitor the RF environment at the forward operating base Who is transmitting what, and when Capture and analysis of enemy transmissions Capture of potential RCIED threat signals Survey the RF environment to determine best use of friendly communications
Military Applications Monitor and mapping of the RF environment during a mission Plot RF environment on Google earth Measurement and analysis of radar and EW signals Replay of captured signals for operator training and countermeasure testing
Commercial Applications Regulation of licensed domestic devices Regulation of licensed public service and commercial broadcasters Detection, location and prosecution of illegal pirate broadcasters
Commercial Applications Regulation cellular services Regulation of satellite services Field strength mapping for proposed systems
Want More Information www.aeroflex.com justin.taylor@aeroflex.com +44(7860)613467 www.tmsystems.nl M.vdBrandt@tmsystems.nl +31 6 22 52 28 96