Analysis of spectral opportunity in the UHF terrestrial TV frequency band

Abstract

In this paper an analysis to quantify the Spectral Opportunity (SO) or so-called TV white space that can be made available to White Space Devices (WSDs) as Secondary Users (SUs) of the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) terrestrial TV frequency spectrum is presented. The system model and analysis approach is discussed and the input data and assumptions used, are detailed. The system model is applied to the entire geographical region of South Africa. Results from the analysis performed indicate that a significant number of channels in the UHF terrestrial TV frequency band (470 - 862 MHz) are available for secondary re-use by WSDs. The number of channels that are available are quantified by area and by population count and indicate that the location of the available channels are dispersed between rural and urban areas, with good availability in both