Model-Based Spectrum Management. Part 1: Modeling and Computation Manual, Version 2.0

Abstract : Radio frequency (RF) spectrum is a finite resource that is essential to many enterprises, including those of governments, militaries, businesses, and citizens. The broad utility of RF spectrum guarantees that demand for access will not wane and will probably increase continuously. Obtaining greater utility from spectrum would have universal benefits. However, current trends to achieve greater utility have focused on prioritizing uses to those considered most valuable or most effective, and thus obtaining the greatest benefits from a particular use of spectrum, rather than developing the means to use spectrum most efficiently, i.e., use the least amount of spectrum for a particular task. An alternative means to obtaining greater utility from spectrum than converting spectrum between uses are to manage spectrum in a more agile way and to build systems that can respond to that agile management so that uses can share spectrum more effectively. This approach can enable greater broadband access without compromising the various government operational, security, and public safety functions that currently occupy much of the spectrum targeted for conversion. Further, this type of technology would mitigate many of the challenges confronted by the large users of spectrum such as the defense and intelligence communities.