The Purpose of National Spectrum Monitoring
Systems: Proposals for Turkey in the Light of
International Practices
MET AD 796 SB1
Master Thesis
Advisor: Kip BECKER, Ph.D.
Prepared by Kemal ASLAN
U68716642
August 20, 2014
CONTENT
CONTENT .............................................................................................................................................. i
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... ii
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 1
1. CONNECTION BETWEEN SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AND SPECTRUM MONITORING . 4
1.1. What Is Spectrum? ...................................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Definition of Spectrum Management........................................................................................... 5
1.3. Definition of Spectrum Monitoring ............................................................................................. 6
1.4. Relationship between spectrum monitoring and spectrum management ...................................... 8
1.5. Spectrum Monitoring as a key factor to spectrum management .................................................. 9
2. TURKEY’S NATIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM (NMS) .......................................................... 11
2.1. Why NMS Needed?................................................................................................................... 11
2.2. National Frequency Management System (NFMS) Component ................................................ 12
2.3. National Monitoring System (NMS) Component ...................................................................... 15
2.3.1 NMS Configuration ............................................................................................................. 15
2.3.1.1 NCC - National Control Center .................................................................................... 16
2.3.1.2. RMC - Regional Monitoring Control Center ............................................................... 16
2.3.1.3. RRS- Remote Regional Monitoring Station ................................................................. 18
2.3.1.4. TRRS - Transportable Remote Regional Monitoring Station ...................................... 19
2.3.1.5. MOBDF- Mobile Direction Finding Monitoring Station ............................................. 20
3. INTERNATIONAL NMS PRACTICES .......................................................................................... 21
2.1. Germany .................................................................................................................................... 21
3.2. Canada ....................................................................................................................................... 25
CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................... 33
References: ........................................................................................................................................... 37
i
ABSTRACT
Title
:
The Purpose of National Spectrum Monitoring
Systems: Proposals for Turkey in the Light of
International Practices
Type
:
Directed Research Paper
Author
:
Kemal ASLAN
Submission Term
:
Summer-2, 2014
Key Words
:
Spectrum, Spectrum monitoring, Electromagnetic
interference and NMS
Advisor
:
Prof. Kip BECKER: Chairman of Administrative
Sciences Department, Metropolitan College, Boston
University.
Total Page
:
ii+38
In order to carry out spectrum monitoring and inspection activities, the standards for
establishment of national monitoring systems were defined in relevant recommendations of
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Most of the countries established National
Monitoring System (NMS) to keep pace with technological developments and to comply with
ITU recommendations regarding spectrum monitoring and to provide the technical
instruments and equipments which are essential for spectrum monitoring and inspection.
Spectrum management and spectrum monitoring are connected each other and countries use
NMS’s in order to accomplish spectrum management activities.
In this study, description of spectrum, spectrum management and spectrum monitoring will
be given and the connection between spectrum management and spectrum monitoring will be
explained. Finally analyzing situation of NMS practices in some of the countries, suggestions
will be made about monitoring activities especially about Turkey.
ii
INTRODUCTION
Electromagnetic spectrum is theoretically unlimited as well as it is a limited and scarce source
for communication purposes. In practice, the radio spectrum is a subset of the electromagnetic
waves lying between the frequencies from 9 kHz (kHz-thousands of cycles per second) to
3000 GHz (GHz-billions of cycles per second). These ranges of radio frequency support a
wide range of business, personal, industrial, scientific, medical research and cultural
activities, both public and private. (ICT, Toolkit).
Radio Frequency (RF) is a key source to offer lots of new and developing technologic based
industries and their products to usage of community. Demand to the RF spectrum has
increased because of the liberalization process in the telecommunications industry worldwide
and new wireless services offered to the market due to competition by existing besides their
services. It has a serious importance that the allocations of frequencies for these applications
have to be determined in a way that will not cause electromagnetic interference. In order to
maintain an interference free environment for radio communication networks can only
achieve by the help of spectrum management.
Spectrum management consists of administrative, scientific and technical procedures to
ensure the efficient operation of radio communication systems and services without causing
any harmful interference. Activities which are describing various technical and administrative
norms and procedures, doing a variety of engineering work, authorization, and taking records
of users and communication systems and so on according to the permits are conducted within
spectrum management. Furthermore, most of these activities are done during the first use
1
application period by computer assisted execution accounts, analysis and simulation based
studies as it is emerges.
Interactions, which are occurred while the communication through the medium of the radio
waves and propagation, can diminish the communication quality and also sometimes
completely eliminate the communication within the specific frequencies and bands in a
specific area. Therefore these interactions have to be interfered.
The uninterruptable and effective communication systems have a great economic value. In
order to sustain this features spectrum management activities such as analysis, computer
simulation and engineering studies need take into account previously allocated frequencies
used in that environment, geography, and other environmental factors. Then known physical
interaction mechanisms occur with the negative effects can be predicted and thus quality and
sustainable frequency spectrum can be provided to the users to manage communication within
their systems.
However, users can be affected negatively from their systems, others’ systems, illegal
devices, unwanted emission-generating devices even if their purpose is not generating
electromagnetic wave, various natural noise sources and power lines etc. For these reasons it
is inevitable to not come across to unwanted situations.
Spectrum management and spectrum monitoring activities that are complementary to each
other in a manner consistent with each other and be done within a coordination and adaptation
within developing systems and technologies need to be continued. In other words, spectrum
monitoring can be used to support spectrum management to ensure the spectrum management
activities.
2
That is why in real life it is mandatory to use continuous monitoring systems, which is named
“spectrum monitoring and control systems”, in order to detect and remove these negative
effects during the use of wireless communication.
It is necessary to have an infrastructure to take the signals from the air and measure them due
to make the task of spectrum monitoring. In order to meet the need of this infrastructure a
system which is called “National Monitoring System” (NMS) was developed and adopted
with all units in Turkey. This system was produced completely by a Turkish company,
Aselsan A.Ş. The system consists of two parts which one of them is called National
Frequency Management System (NFMS). NFMS is a computer based infrastructure that
enables the operators to make calculations and analyses in order to determine the optimum
frequency alignment and system parameters. The other part consists of measurement devices
which have ability to work fully integrated with the other part.
In the first chapter of this study, description of spectrum, spectrum management and spectrum
monitoring will be given and the connection between spectrum management and spectrum
monitoring will be explained. In the second chapter, Turkey NMS will be described. In the
third chapter, some of the country’s NMSs will be explained and finally suggestions will be
made about monitoring activities about Turkey.
3
1. CONNECTION BETWEEN SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT AND
SPECTRUM MONITORING
The radio frequency spectrum is a limited natural resource and it is important that it is used in
the most effective and efficient way by all radiocommunication users all over the world.
Because of this, various radiocommunication networks can function in an interference-free
radio environment. Radiocommunication technology is advancing at a rapid pace. With the
emerging of new technologies and the phenomenal growth of radiocommunication services,
requirement for the RF spectrum is increasing at a huge rate. Effective and efficient spectrum
management is the key element for ensuring the co-existence of various radiocommunication
networks, without causing interference to each other (ITU, 2002).
1.1. What Is Spectrum?
Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation which, like visible light or infrared,
make up a portion of the entire spectrum. They cannot be perceived by human eyes or ears,
and they are not harmful in the environment. Depending on their frequency (measured in
hertz), radio waves can pass through solid objects and travel long distances. This makes them
useful for mobile communications, broadcasting and many other wireless applications
(GSMA, 2014).
The entire range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation forms the electromagnetic
spectrum and the band from 9 kHz to 3000 GHz is known as the radio frequency spectrum
(ITU, 2002). Electromagnetic spectrum is shown in Figure 1.1.
4
Figure 1.1.The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Source: EMF, 2014
1.2. Definition of Spectrum Management
Spectrum management is the combination of administrative, scientific and technical
procedures necessary to ensure the efficient operation of radiocommunication equipment and
services without causing interference. It can be simply stated that spectrum management is the
overall process of regulating and administering use of the radio frequency spectrum. The
purpose of spectrum management is to maximize spectrum efficiency and minimize
interference. Rules and regulations, based on relevant legislation, form a regulatory and legal
basis for the spectrum management process. Databases of information, including details of all
authorized users of the spectrum, provide the administrative and technical basis for the
process. Analysis of the information in these databases facilitates the spectrum management
process resulting in decisions for spectrum allocations, frequency assignments, and licensing.
Spectrum monitoring, inspection, and law enforcement provide the necessary means to
5
maintain the integrity of the spectrum management process (ITU,2002). Simplified national
spectrum management system is shown in Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.2. Simplified national spectrum management system
Source: ITU Monitoring Handbook
1.3. Definition of Spectrum Monitoring
Spectrum monitoring serves as the eyes and ears of the spectrum management process (ITU,
2002). It is necessary in practice because in the real world, authorized use of the spectrum
does not ensure that it is being used as intended. This may be due to the complexity of the
equipment, interaction with other equipment, a malfunction of equipment, or deliberate
misuse. This problem has been further made worse due to the accelerating proliferation of
terrestrial wireless and satellite systems and of equipment that may cause interference, such as
6
computers and other unintentional radiators. The monitoring system provides a method of
verification and “closes the loop” on the spectrum management process (ITU, 2002).
Spectrum is used 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, every week of the year, whether locally,
regionally, or globally. Similar to this, spectrum monitoring should also be on a continuous
basis if the purposes and goals of monitoring are to be appropriately fulfilled. The purpose of
spectrum monitoring is to support the spectrum management process in general, including
frequency assignment and spectrum planning functions. Specifically, the goals of monitoring
(not necessarily in priority order) are to (ITU, 2002):
- assist in the resolution of electromagnetic spectrum interference, whether on a local, regional
or global scale, so that radio services and stations may coexist compatibly, reducing and
minimizing resources associated with installing and operating these telecommunication
services while providing economic benefit to a country’s infrastructure through access to
interference- free, accessible telecommunication services;
- assist in ensuring an acceptable quality of radio and television reception by the general
public;
- provide valuable monitoring data to an administration’s electromagnetic spectrum
management process concerning the actual use of frequencies and bands (e.g., channel
occupancy and band congestion), verification of proper technical and operational
characteristics of transmitted signals, detection and identification of illegal transmitters, and
the generation and verification of frequency records; and
- provide valuable monitoring information for programmes organized by the ITU
Radiocommunication
Bureau
(Bureau),
for
example
in
preparing
reports
to
Radiocommunication Conferences, in seeking special assistance of administrations in
7
eliminating harmful interference, in clearing out-of-band operations, or in assisting
administrations in finding suitable frequencies.
1.4. Relationship between spectrum monitoring and spectrum management
The functions of spectrum monitoring and spectrum management are closely related. Linking
these functions through an integrated computer system can result in significantly increased
effectiveness and cost-efficiency for both. It is critically important in implementing a
spectrum management system to develop a system structure that maintains the integrity of the
process, and the database that contains all relevant information to support the process. In the
case of an inadequate database, the combination of monitoring and enforcement techniques
can be effectively used to obtain critical information and thereby, help improve the database
and the overall spectrum management process (ITU, 2002).
Monitoring is closely associated with inspection and compliance in that it enables the
identification and measurement of spectrum usage, interference sources, the verification of
proper technical and operational characteristics of radiated signals, and detection and
identification of illegal transmitters, producing data on the effectiveness of spectrum
management policies (ITU, 2002).
Monitoring further supports the overall spectrum management effort by providing general
measurement of channel and band usage, including channel availability statistics of a
technical and operational nature, thereby giving a measure of spectrum occupancy.
Monitoring is also useful for planning, in that it can assist spectrum managers in
understanding the level of spectrum use as compared to the assignments that are registered on
8
paper or in data files. A monitoring and measurement system can help in some instances
where a solution to a problem requires more than knowledge of authorized or designed
characteristics of radio systems. A monitoring and measuring system also obtains information
on the operation of individual stations, for regulatory, enforcement, and compliance purposes,
and can be used to establish the location and identity of stations causing interference (ITU,
2002).
In general terms, monitoring gives feedback to spectrum management on whether the
practical use of the spectrum matches the national policy. Monitoring can also identify the
need for future requirements for spectrum management officials. In this case monitoring gives
feed-forward information to spectrum management (ITU, 2002).
The other important issues about spectrum management are databases; software; legal and
regulatory foundation for a national spectrum management system; spectrum planning and
allocation; spectrum engineering; rules, regulations and associated standards; frequency
coordination and notification; licensing, assignment and billing; inspection of radio
installations and lastly law enforcement (ITU, 2002).
1.5. Spectrum Monitoring as a key factor to spectrum management
On the other hand spectrum monitoring as a key factor to spectrum management has several
issues during its activities. Some of the frequencies which have limited range according to
their nature are increasingly used for radiocommunication and countries need to pay attention
to monitor these frequencies and that’s why national monitoring becomes more important
(ITU, 2002). Nevertheless procedures and structures to be established for countries are
9
described by ITU recommendations. In order to meet these recommendations countries need
to establish a central office and high frequency (HF) spectrum monitoring stations (ITU,
2008).
Spectrum monitoring is an aid to new assignments, to developing better management models,
to dealing with complaints, to categorizing and interpreting interference and propagation
effects and spectrum sharing. On the other hand spectrum monitoring delivers spectrum usage
(occupancy) data for spectrum management (ITU, 2002).
Each country should also operate monitoring facilities as essential tools for ensuring efficient
and economic use of the frequency spectrum and help to eliminate harmful interference as
soon as possible at the international level since this is an aim of ITU.
10
2. TURKEY’S NATIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM (NMS)
2.1. Why NMS Needed?
NMS is a system that measures and assesses the used frequencies by taking them from the air.
Above mentioned spectrum monitoring and control tasks needed to be fulfilled in terms of the
technical tools and equipment. NMS expected to meet the lack of infrastructure.
Spectrum monitoring system has been established to meet the needs of Turkey. However; in a
liberalized world, recommendations created by ITU cause to establish standards. According to
these standards member states’ established their spectrum monitoring systems. Turkey has
tried to integrate to European Union and in this context Turkey needed to establish this system
due not to fall behind the technological improvement and contributed ITU.
In Turkey, it has become possible to set up and operate radio communication systems by the
public and private persons or organizations after 1983. In the face of rapidly increasing use of
radio showed that unless a control mechanism could be created electromagnetic interference
and improper use affected communication adversely. Nevertheless it became harmful to
national security. It was evaluated by some institutions that if measures are not taken,
problems became so severe in the future.
Taking into consideration to these problems competent authorities decided to establish a
monitoring system. After an evaluation period this mission was given to General Directorate
of Radio. In order to establish a national spectrum monitoring system, a protocol signed with
Aselsan A.Ş. and this protocol entered into force on May 8, 1998. After this protocol actual
work started about NMS project. In 2000 General Directorate of Radio was abolished and all
11
of its authorization was assigned to a newly established Authority, Telecommunication
Authority. In 2008 Telecommunication Authority changed its name to Information and
Communication Authority (ICT). The project finished in 2005 and the system is under control
of ICT.
Wireless communication traffic regulation, monitoring and detection of violations of the use
of radio equipment and system infrastructure consists of the necessary technical and 7
regional offices established in the NMS (BTK, 2014).
NMS consists of two main components:
1- National Frequency Management System Component
2- National Monitoring System (NMS) Component.
These two components are fully compatible and integrated in terms of infrastructure,
computing, methods and methods of analysis.
2.2. National Frequency Management System (NFMS) Component
The activities and capacities of NFMS are (Bilkent, 2004):
-
To perform the necessary calculations for frequency planning and analysis,
-
Spectrum monitoring,
-
Solving interference problems,
-
Spectrum engineering, Electromagnetic Compability (EMC) analysis, planning and
supporting frequencies including Radio-TV,
-
Doing spectrum management automatically,
-
Preserve information about spectrum usage,
12
-
Licensing and pricing of spectrum usage,
-
Permission of allocation and system installment.
NFMS perform these activities in a computer based environment and it consists of application
software which are Monitoring Supporting System (MSS) and Spectrum Engineering System
(SES).
MSS includes monitor displaying, preliminary determination, monitor record, free queries and
triangulation programs. Example of spectrum occupancy measurement result is given in
Figure 1.3
Figure 1.3. Spectrum occupancy measurement result
Triangulation program is used to find a location of a received signal and Figure 1.4. shows the
results of a triangulation.
13
SES performs technical analysis, propagation simulations, a receiver or transmitter coverage
analysis, analysis of microwave links and analysis of digital audio and video broadcasting. All
of the tasks carried out in accordance with ITU recommendations (Bilkent, 2004). An
exemplary coverage analysis is shown in Figure 1.5.
Figure 1.4. A result of a triangulation
Source: Bilkent, 2004
Figure 1.5. An exemplary coverage analysis
Source: Bilkent, 2004
14
2.3. National Monitoring System (NMS) Component
NMS is an infrastructure that consists of different kinds of stations and equipments. Spectrum
monitoring is carried out with the help of NMS that meet the following objectives (TGM,
1998):
-
In general, the regulation of radio communication traffic,
-
Measuring frequency occupancy,
-
The measurement of technical parameters,
-
Detecting violations,
-
Determination of the radio broadcast coverage,
-
Analysis of electromagnetic interference events,
-
Finding the location of illegal radio stations.
NMS needs to have some main measurement functions to achieve the activities that are
mentioned above. These measurement functions are monitoring, measuring, direction finding
and radio-TV measurements.
2.3.1 NMS Configuration
NMS configuration was done according to international concepts and approaches to spectrum
monitoring. The type and numbers of stations were identified due to scope of work, the need
of technical aspects for spectrum monitoring and main functions and features of stations.
NMS’s general configuration is shown in Figure 1.6.
15
2.3.1.1 NCC - National Control Center
In general, this center gives logistic and maintenance support for the whole system. System
has 1 NCC. The main tasks of NCC are: general management of system, management in
technical level, identification and planning of tasks, giving education to the personal,
coordination with the other public and private organizations and international spectrum
monitoring organizations and improvement of the system. The communication infrastructure
of NMS is shown in Figure 1.7.
Figure 1.6. NMS general configuration
2.3.1.2. RMC - Regional Monitoring Control Center
RMC is responsible for the following duties by using available technical device infrastructure in its
responsibility regions (ASELSAN, 2005b);
-
Management of fixed, transportable, mobile and portable units in its region,
-
Preparing, enforcing, finishing, concluding and taking precautions about monitoring duties.
16
There are seven RMC unit (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Diyarbakır, Erzurum and Samsun) in
whole NMS. RMC in Ankara shown in Figure 1.8.
Figure 1.7. NMS communication infrastructure
Figure 1.8. NMS Ankara RMC
17
2.3.1.3. RRS- Remote Regional Monitoring Station
RRS designed to perform estimation, measurement and spectrum monitoring functions
depending on the RMC on its region. RMC established on a dominant terrain in its region to
receive signals. An example for RRS is shown in Figure 1.9. The features of RRS are
(ASELSAN, 2005c);
-
It can be operated remotely unmanned by the belonged RMC, if necessary in its place.
-
Communication with RMC is made via microwave connections,
-
In 20 MHz-2.5 GHz band it perform the main monitoring duties, (every region one
RRS works in 10 kHz- 2.5 GHz band to cover the HF band),
-
It is in different numbers according to the regions characteristics.
Figure 1.9. NMS RRS station
18
2.3.1.4. TRRS - Transportable Remote Regional Monitoring Station
Instead of antenna configurations it has the same RRS functions. The features of TRRS are
(ASELSAN, 2005d);
-
It performs the main monitoring duties in 20 MHz-2.5 GHz band,
-
It has remote command or operation in its place opportunities,
-
Communication with RMC is made via satellite communication systems (VSAT),
-
Due to it is mounted on truck it is possible to establish a flexible coverage,
-
When it is taken to a new place it can be put into use as a part of available RRS
network,
-
It is in different numbers according to the regions characteristics.
An example for TRRS is shown in Figure 1.10.
Figure 1.10. NMS TRRS station
19
2.3.1.5. MOBDF- Mobile Direction Finding Monitoring Station
MOBDF is an integrated mobile detection system that works in 20 to 2500 MHz frequency
band. MOBDF is used to detect the radio frequency communication detection, DF, spectrum
monitoring and measurement. It is a computer-controlled and it can work with generators or
battery or power networks. It is mounted on van type vehicles and it was designed to make
DF in city centers. The features of MOBDF are (ASELSAN 2005d);
-
It has frequency scanning and directional finding abilities in 20 MHz-2.5 GHz
frequency band (one of MOBDF’s starts from 3 MHz in every region),
-
It can be operated in its place,
-
It has homing capability,
-
Communication is made via VHF/UHF radios,
-
It is in different numbers according to the regions characteristics.
An example for MOBDF is shown in Figure 1.11.
Figure 1.11. NMS MOBDF station
NMS also has Mobile Broadcast Measurement System (MOBBC) and Control, Maintenance
and Supply Vehicle (CMSV).
20
3. INTERNATIONAL NMS PRACTICES
In this chapter we will try to give information about approaches of countries to spectrum
monitoring, what kind of technologies they are using and their future strategies. Although all
member countries of ITU need to fulfill the same recommendations, some countries may have
different approaches. International practices are discussed below.
2.1. Germany
Germany’s telecommunication authority that regulates and controls the sector is
Bundesnetzagentur (Bnetza). Bnetza also regulates electricity, gas, post and railway within
the scope of business of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology
(Bundesnetzagentur, 2014).
Bnetza has 9 departments and 9 ruling chambers. Department 5 is about the regional offices
and in Germany spectrum monitoring duties carried out by regional offices. Department 5 coordinates 10 regional offices at 32 locations. The regional offices are cut into service centers
for (Trautmann, Personal communication, 2011):
-
Internal administration,
-
Measurements,
-
EMF site certificates,
-
Special issues of radio amateurs,
-
Market surveillance,
-
Special radio services,
-
Frequency assignment,
21
-
Broadcasting,
-
Numbering and other tasks.
Radio inspection service, radio monitoring service (terrestrial), space radio monitoring station,
EMC laboratory in Kolberg and central maintenance and calibration workshop are dealing
with measurements (Trautmann, Personal communication, 2011).
Typical tasks of the radio monitoring service are; monitoring of emissions for compliance
with license conditions, channel occupancy measurements, frequency band observations,
investigation of radio interference, elimination of illegal transmitters, measurements on
special occasions and radio compatibility studies (Trautmann, Personal communication,
2011).
The frequency range of spectrum monitoring service is 9 kHz – 40 GHz. Configuration of the
this service is 7 manned monitoring stations for terrestrial radio services (Figure 1.12), 22 onsite and remote controlled VHF/UHF DF (Figure 1.13), 68 remote controlled monitoring
stations without DF (Trautmann, Personal communication, 2011).
Figure 1.12 Manned monitoring stations
Source: Trautmann, 2011
22
Figure 1.13 Operation room and remote controlled DF
Source: Trautmann, 2011
Except the stations spectrum monitoring service has HF DF network with 4 direction finders,
21 DF vehicles, 4 vans for GHz measurements (Figure 1.14) and several other vehicles for
special purposes and Maintenance teams for on-site repairs, modifications of measurement
set-ups, maintenance of the remote controlled monitoring stations (Trautmann, Personal
communication, 2011).
Figure 1.13 Mobile direction finders and measurements up to 40 GHz
Source: Trautmann, 2011
23
Until 1990 radio monitoring service and radio inspection service were two completely
separated groups, each equipped uniformly. After 1990 Creation of work procedures for
interference investigation demanding for co-operation and aiming in an efficient use of the
resources and remote controlled direction finders enabled the reduction of the H24 service of
the radio monitoring service (Trautmann, Personal communication, 2011).
From 1990 organization of the monitoring service has performed as below (Trautmann,
Personal communication, 2011):
-
Establishment of on-call duty,
-
Unique telephone number for interference reports,
-
Combination of the radio monitoring service and the radio inspection service where
possible,
-
Budget restrictions and shortage of staff,
-
More formalized decision-making process about procurement,
-
Abandoning of a uniform instrumentation,
-
10 service points for interference reports, use of a call center during the night,
-
H24 service reduced to 2 of 3 monitoring stations (rolling system).
Organization of service has performed since 2010 as below (Trautmann, Personal
communication, 2011):
-
H24 service reduced to 1 monitoring station from 2011,
-
Concentration of the fixed monitoring tasks to 4 radio monitoring stations,
-
The task allocation to the radio monitoring service and the radio inspection service and
the separation between these services is nowadays no more than a rule of thumb,
-
390 employees and 135 measuring vehicles,
-
Further staff reduction and hence increase of staff age expected,
24
3.2. Canada
Industry Canada is the authority of telecommunication sector of Canada. Within Industry
Canada, three branches are involved in the management of spectrum (Industry Canada, 2014).
One is responsible for setting high-level Government Policies and is within the Department's
Policy Sector. Of the two remaining, the Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch
(DGEPS) is responsible for planning and engineering the spectrum and finally, the Spectrum
management Operations Branch (DGSO) is responsible for licensing and other operational
activities, including spectrum monitoring (Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
The
Spectrum
Management
Operations
Branch's
duties
are
(Avridor,
Personal
communication, 2011):
-
The development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, processes
and incentives that promote an economically efficient use of a limited public resource,
the radiofrequency spectrum, to ensure that Canadians derive maximum social and
economic benefits.
-
Development and operation of automated systems in support of Spectrum
management and Telecommunications' authorization, licensing and financial
operations.
-
Development and maintenance of applications and tools which directly support the
most specialized and technical aspects of the spectrum management Program.
-
The development and implementation of the national performance management and
measurement system, and regulatory plans and projects for spectrum management.
25
Directs the development of integrated strategic and business plans as well as performs
an integrated risk management function for the Spectrum management Program.
DGSO is the largest branch of the Industry Canada's Spectrum, Information Technologies and
Telecommunications Sector. This branch includes 3 Regional offices who offer a full range of
services and programs pertaining to the spectrum management program. However, monitoring
represent a relatively small percentage of its resources.
Spectrum Management Officers (radio inspectors) are trained to perform the various activities
related to spectrum (from licensing to spectrum monitoring). However, Industry Canada has a
few core officers that specialize in spectrum monitoring activities. Managers are responsible
for the workload distribution amongst staff, according to the available resources and the
priority of the task. Proceeding accordingly, allows Industry Canada to better answer its
clients' needs. Work is divided between the Spectrum Technical Assistant (STA) staff and
Spectrum Management Officers (SMO). STS staff performs clerical and administrative tasks
in support of spectrum operations while SMOs perform the technical tasks required in order to
deliver the spectrum operations program. Industry Canada has about 20 full-time employee
equivalent working on spectrum monitoring activities. (Avridor, Personal communication,
2011).
Industry Canada uses the Integrated Spectrum Observation Centre (ISOC). This system
consists of various commercial monitoring equipments integrated in-house with the WinISOC
software. The ISOC also integrates the Spectrum Explorer, a software defined radio that
allows the control of various commercial RF instruments through a software interface for
performing spectrum surveillance and analysis. The ISOC was developed by and is
26
maintained by internal staff. Spectrum Monitoring Connectivity Diagram is shown in Figure
1.14.
Figure 1.14. Spectrum Monitoring Connectivity Diagram
Source: Avridor, Personal communication, 2011
Through the ISOC, a Spectrum Management Officer (radio inspector) can connect to
instruments installed at remote locations across Canada and use these instruments through a
virtual view of them on the officer's desktop.
Industry Canada operates two manned sites; however, most spectrum monitoring is done
remotely by staff working in one of 30 regional, district and sub-offices throughout Canada.
Each of these offices is involved in monitoring, surveillance and enforcement issues at some
level (Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
Canada’s monitoring infrastructure consists of fixed remote systems, mobile stations,
transportable and portable systems.
27
Canada’s fixed infrastructure consists of about 100 unmanned stations (Figure 1.15), called
Integrated Spectrum Observation Centres (ISOC), situated at approximately 10 to 20 km
around large urban centers. They provide a good location to monitor spectrum below 1 GHz.
These sites usually cover bands from 30 MHz - 1 GHz. However a few stations can either go
lower in frequency (HF band) or higher (up to 2 GHz band). The sites capabilities include
signal detection, spectral analysis and direction finding. When the signals of interest are
beyond 1 GHz, we usually make use of our transportable, mobile and portable equipment
assets (Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
Figure 1.15 Fixed remote system (ISOC):
Source: Avridor, Personal communication, 2011
Mobile infrastructure consists of about 60 vehicles throughout Canada. The equipment
capabilities can cover up to 7 GHz; however, typically our mounted antennas do not provide
reception of frequencies above 2.7 GHz. Many of these vehicles are Mobile Integrated
28
Remote System (MIRS) (Figure 1.16) and share the same integrated architecture as an ISOC.
They are also equipped with the WinISOC software; the equipment is installed in a rack at the
back of the vehicle and the user controls all the equipment from the front, through the
WinISOC. A single operator is required and can gather information and provide bearings
while driving. This type of vehicle is usually equipped with automated direction finding
capabilities. MIRS vehicles also possess connectivity capabilities and can be integrated with
fixed network. Real-time automated positioning mapping is made possible using information
provided by the mobile, other mobiles integrated to network and/or fixed and portable stations
(Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
Figure 1.16 Mobile stations (Mobile Integrated Remote System-type)
Source: Avridor, Personal communication, 2011
Transportable infrastructure is composed of 13 trailer (Figure 1.17), suitcase and van type
transportable stations. Similar to our MIRS vehicles, the transportable stations share the same
integrated architecture as an ISOC and are also equipped with the WinISOC software. The
frequency bands covered typically go up to 2 GHz. These stations are usually staffed when in
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operation. Capabilities include signal detection, spectral analysis and direction finding
(Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
Figure 1.17 Transportable station (trailer-type)
Source: Avridor, Personal communication, 2011
Canada also uses various types of portable/handheld equipments, with portable antennas, in
order to detect signals that would not easily be identified using other equipment. They also
use this type of equipment, with appropriate probes to perform human RF exposure
measurements.
Several tools are used to perform spectrum monitoring activities (Avridor, Personal
communication, 2011). These are:
WinISOC: Software interface to Integrated Spectrum Observation Centres spectrum
monitoring sites that enable a radio inspector to control monitoring sites throughout the
country.
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Spectrum Explorer (SE): A software defined radio observation system offering a suite of
sophisticated applications for performing spectrum surveillance and analysis.
GDOC: Document management system that allows Industry Canada to consult, store
investigation details. It also allows Industry Canada to track and assign workload.
Technical Measurements Report System (TMRS Web): Web-based application used to
provide radio inspectors and other internal staff frequency occupancy, technical scan
information collected from the various remote sensing systems installed across Canada and
several reports to help users analyze this information.
Preview (TMRS Preview): Application used to perform preliminary analysis and processing
of data scanned by our monitoring systems prior to uploading the data in the TMRS Web.
Spectrum Management and Radio Telecommunication Visual Interface (SmartView):
Collection of mapping tools, developed in-house, to perform various tasks related to Spectrum
Management. These tools are integrated within the MapInfo Professional software.
Spectrum Management System: Spectrum management application suite.
PIRATES: Software that compares radio propagation predictions of stations based in our
licensing database with spectrum monitoring observations, including position from several
synchronized spectrum monitoring sites, in order to flag potential discrepancies.
Industry Canada currently use spectrum monitoring infrastructure for interference resolution,
enforcement activities, occupancy measurements performed four times a year in congested
areas, PIRATES scanning sessions using wideband direction finding software to quickly
detect and locate non-compliant stations in the radio frequency spectrum; these sessions are
done on an ad-hoc basis and in support of special events. Other duties such as compliance of
radio systems for human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy limits and power
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density flux measurements for international agreements compliance for example are also
conducted as required by managers of the program (Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
Although most of our monitoring activities are conducted by internal staff, Industry Canada
occasionally works in partnership with the Canadian Department of National Defense and the
United States' Federal Communications Commission in order to conduct monitoring activities
(Avridor, Personal communication, 2011).
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CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS
Electromagnetic spectrum is theoretically unlimited as well as it is a limited and scarce source
for communication purposes. According to ITU the band from 9 kHz to 3000 GHz is known
as the radio frequency spectrum and RF is a key source to offer lots of new and developing
technologic based industries and their products to usage of community. RF spectrum needs to
be managed properly to make it effective and efficient. In other words spectrum management
is essential for RF spectrum.
However, users can be affected negatively from their systems, others’ systems, illegal
devices, unwanted emission-generating devices even if their purpose is not generating
electromagnetic wave, various natural noise sources and power lines etc. For these reasons it
is inevitable to not come across to unwanted situations.
That is why in real life it is mandatory to use continuous monitoring systems, which is named
“spectrum monitoring and control systems”, in order to detect and remove these negative
effects during the use of wireless communication and spectrum monitoring can be used to
support spectrum management to ensure the spectrum management activities.
Taking into consideration of Canada and Germany practices Turkey needs to develop and
evaluate its system. Assessments and recommendations for improvement of NMS in Turkey
are:
 Considering country practices, technological developments, and especially the analysis of
electromagnetic interference complaints, it is possible to continue to use the existing NMS
for today needs.
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 Considering country practices primarily, it is thought that re-assessment of the current
status of the RRSs is needed. In today’s conditions where the importance of cellular
systems and mobility is increasing, it is considered that deploying fixed stations which are
difficult to operate at more proper locations or transferring these systems to other
government agencies that need these systems is likely to be more appropriate.
 When operating NMS in its current form, the need for an improvement in NMS for
monitoring cellular systems should be clarified. It should be noted that, NMS has rather
been established for the aim of monitoring and supervision of radio communication
systems and radio-TV broadcasting systems. On the other hand, in parallel with other
countries the use of cellular systems is widespread in our country in recent years. The
systems dominated by numerical techniques such as GSM 900, GSM 1800 and 3G and the
number of users for these systems are increasing rapidly. Considering above mentioned
digital cellular systems, one of the main features of these systems is usability of the
repetition of the same frequency, a second feature of these systems is they are effective in
not causing interference on other communication systems and not being exposed to
electromagnetic interference from other systems. As a result; considering aforementioned
features of cellular system, these systems does not require a routinely monitoring in a
continuous manner. In this context, it is not necessary to revise all components of the
existing NMS system. Indeed, considering the majority practices of the countries examined
in this study, cellular systems are not monitored continuously and routinely, but in case of
complaints or claims regarding an occurrence of electromagnetic interference spectrum is
monitored. In this context it is thought that, portable compact devices must be utilized for
use in spectrum monitoring activities for cellular communication systems to be carried out
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in an audit that started upon ICT’s own motion or a complaint or a notice and there is no
much more need to make improvements on NMS on this subject.
 Transceivers that based on digital signal processing methods, multi-band and multi-mode
radios began to take the place of analogue transceivers that works in any frequency band.
Similarly like software based development of wireless communication systems, radio
receivers and the systems developed for monitoring radio spectrum is shifted to the new
technology based on digital signal processing from analog-based systems. Through the
flexibility they have, systems produced with Software Defined Radios (SDR) provide the
use of new requirements soon and in a cost-effective way with only a software update on a
general hardware. In this context, SDR is important for the work to be done for the aim of
the modernization of NMS and in terms of the public interest these technologies will be
eligible to follow.
 While doing improvement studies in NMS; provision of remote control and automation
should be ensured as much as possible at the current spectrum monitoring and auditing
activities so that staff requirements can be reduced and a more efficient operation structure
can be achieved.
 In the NMS renovation work, a flexible system should be established which is compatible
with international standards, and compatible with ITU regulations and also allow
incorporating new devices. In fact, countries examined in this study, it can be seen that
hardware and software that released on the market by those companies are used. However,
because of the very high prices of hardware and software, an additional fee for update of
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these hardware and software, purchase of those hardware and software will impose high
costs for Turkey.
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