Quantifying the Availability of TV White Spaces for Cognitive Radio Operation in the UK

TL;DR

This paper develops a methodology using digital TV coverage maps and transmitter data to quantify TV White Space availability across the UK, considering location, power, and regulatory constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for accurately identifying TVWS frequencies in the UK, incorporating interference constraints and providing the first quantitative analysis outside the US.

Findings

TVWS availability varies significantly by location and transmit power.

Regulatory interference constraints impact the usable spectrum.

The methodology offers a realistic assessment of spectrum opportunities for cognitive radios.

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. 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.