Research Article
Quantifying the TV White Spaces Spectrum Opportunity for Cognitive Radio Access
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-642-11284-3_6, author={Maziar Nekovee}, title={Quantifying the TV White Spaces Spectrum Opportunity for Cognitive Radio Access}, proceedings={Communications Infrastructure. Systems and Applications in Europe. First International ICST Conference, EuropeComm 2009, London, UK, August 11-13, 2009, Revised Selected Papers}, proceedings_a={EUROPECOMM}, year={2012}, month={5}, keywords={cognitive radio dynamic spectrum access digital dividend}, doi={10.1007/978-3-642-11284-3_6} }- Maziar Nekovee
Year: 2012
Quantifying the TV White Spaces Spectrum Opportunity for Cognitive Radio Access
EUROPECOMM
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-11284-3_6
Abstract
Cognitive radio is being intensively researched for opportunistic access to the so-called TV White Spaces (TVWS): large portions of the VHF/UHF TV bands which become available on a geographical basis after the digital switchover. In this paper we take a step back from the excitement surrounding TVWS, and quantitatively examine the real spectrum opportunity associated with this form of access. Using accurate digital TV (DTV) coverage maps together with a database of DTV transmitters, we develop a methodology for identifying TVWS frequencies at any given location in the United Kingdom. We use our methodology to investigate variations in TVWS as a function of the location and transmit power of cognitive radios, and examine how constraints on adjacent channel interference imposed by regulators may affect the results. Our analysis provides a realistic view on the spectrum opportunity associated with cognitive devices, and presents the first quantitative study of the availability and frequency composition of TWVS outside the United States.
