Performance of a TV white space database with different terrain resolutions and propagation models

Cognitive Radio has now become a realistic option for the solution of the spectrum scarcity problem in wireless communication. TV channels (the primary user) can be protected from secondary-user interference by accurate prediction of TV White Spaces (TVWS) by using appropriate propagation modelling. In this paper we address two related aspects of channel occupancy prediction for cognitive radio. Firstly we investigate the best combination of empirical propagation model and spatial resolution of terrain data for predicting TVWS by examining the performance of three propagation models (Extended-Hata, Davidson-Hata and Egli) in the TV band 470 to 790 MHz along with terrain data resolutions of 1000, 100 and 30 m, when compared with a comprehensive set of propagation measurements taken in randomly-selected locations around Hull, UK. Secondly we describe how such models can be integrated into a database-driven tool for cognitive radio channel selection within the TVWS environment

Implementation of combined geolocation database and infrastructure sensing in TV bands using different spectrum devices

—In the present day, the TV Band has become a realistic option and has attracted much attention due to the potential to exploit underutilized TV white space for other communications, based on time and location. In this paper, we design a flexible system which uses a combination of geolocation database and spectrum sensing in the TV band, comparing the performance of different spectrum analyzers (Agilent E4407B, Agilent EXA N9010A and a low cost RTL-SDR) in the real environment