A TV white space spectrum sensing prototype

• Published in: 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DySPAN) pp. 297 - 307
• Main Authors: Balamurthi, R., Joshi, H., Cong Nguyen, Sadek, A. K., Shellhammer, S. J., Cong Shen
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.05.2011
• Subjects: FCC; Microphones; Prototypes; Sensors; Wireless communication; Wireless sensor networks
• DOI: 10.1109/DYSPAN.2011.5936218
• ISBN: 1457701774; 9781457701771

The paper provides an overview of a real-time spectrum sensing prototype operating in the TV white space. There has been considerable research on the feasibility of spectrum sensing in the TV white space. This is a challenge due to the very weak signal power levels specified by the FCC. In the TV white space there are a number of incumbent systems that must be protected from interference by a TV white space device. One method of protection is spectrum sensing, which can be used in locations where geo-location is problematic. This paper describes a real-time prototype which performs sensing for ATSC, NTSC and wireless microphones in the UHF TV band. An overview of the sensing techniques are provides as well as a description of how the sensing techniques are realized in the prototype.