Spectrum Occupancy Measurement: An Autocorrelation based Scanning Technique using USRP

TL;DR

This paper introduces an autocorrelation-based spectrum scanning technique using USRP and GNU Radio, demonstrating improved efficiency over existing methods in measuring spectrum occupancy across a broad frequency range.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel autocorrelation-based spectrum scanning method implemented with SDRs, offering enhanced efficiency compared to traditional energy detection and autocorrelation techniques.

Findings

Proposed technique outperforms existing methods in spectrum scanning efficiency.

Implemented and tested over 824 MHz to 5.8 GHz in North Dakota.

Shows potential for more accurate and faster spectrum occupancy measurement.

Abstract

This paper presents a technique for scanning and evaluating the radio spectrum use. This technique determines the average occupancy of a channel over a specific duration. The technique was implemented using Software Defined Radio units and GNU Radio software. The survey was conducted in Grand Forks, North Dakota, over a frequency range of 824 MHz to 5.8 GHz. The results of this technique were compared to those of two existing techniques, energy detection and autocorrelation, that were also implemented. The results show that the proposed technique is more efficient at scanning the radio spectrum than the other two techniques.