Practical implementation of geo-location TVWS database for Ethiopia

Abstract

The opening of Television White Spaces for cognitive access is one of the first tangible steps towards solving the spectrum scarcity as well as rural connectivity problems. Because this part of the spectrum band offers better bandwidth, good propagation characteristics such as building penetration and large coverage. In this paper, we have discussed a practical implementation of geo-location-based TVWS assignment modelling approach that solves the spectrum under-utilisation problem. The model is based on the CSIR Geo-location Spectrum Database Calculation Engine that is used to intelligently, identify White Spaces in the radio frequency band of interest in Ethiopia. More broadly, we have looked on the necessary input parameters including radio propagation models fit for the Ethiopian terrain environment and calculation steps for quantifying TV White Space availability. The models used by the Calculation Engine used are able to predict the incumbent TV transmitter contour coverage distances, adjacent and co-channel protection distances, list of occupied channels on the co-channel and adjacent channel basis. Moreover, using the proposed implementation for the Ethiopia use case; considerable amount (87.9% - 98.23%) of broadcast TV channels are found to be unoccupied geographically, such channels can be used for secondary provisioning of affordable wireless broadband networks.