A Comparison of Geo-Location and Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio

A comparison is made between the FCC geo-location and spectrum sensing requirements in the TV white space. Background material on propagation models and conversion between electromagnetic field strength and receive power is provided. The geo-location and spectrum sensing requirements are both converted to field strength where they can be compared, and a typical TV broadcast example is provided to allow comparisons in terms of the physical distances of the protection contour, the geo-location contour and the spectrum sensing contour. Observations are made about the FCC tests of the TV white space prototype devices and the interpretation of those results.