A Study on Hidden Node Margin to Protect DTV Service in Korea

In this paper, we investigate hidden node problem to effectively utilize TV band devices(TVBDs) in the TV white space(TVWS), and also to protect digital television(DTV) service in Korea. Firstly, we classify the radio propagation environment into an urban area, a basin area, and a coastal area based on geographical characteristics. Thereafter, we measure and analyze local shape based hidden node attenuation at eight segmented positions in each geographic area. Because commercial buildings as well as residential and commercial buildings in Korea are located in closer proximity to each other than in other countries, hidden node margin should be more than 38 dB in order to safely protect DTV service in Korea.