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Autonomous Interference Monitoring System- Phase II & Measurement of LE Usage

Outline of the programme

This is an extension of the AIMS programme (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/technology/overview/state_use/aims/) that concluded in April 2006. However, this is now combined with a study of the usage of the License Exempt bands in the UK.

In this current study, there will be an extended measurement campaign to cover a total of 40 sites. Measurements at each location will be conducted for an average of 24 hours. Where practical, sites will be monitored for longer than this in order to gain a more complete picture of the environment. The measurements will be split into two campaigns. The first campaign, covering MMN (Man-Made Noise) and LE (License Exempt) measurements will encompass 20 sites. The second campaign, covering MMN and C/(I+N) measurements, will encompass a further 20 sites. MMN monitoring will be performed at all 40 sites and will cover frequencies up to 3 GHz. These measurements will be used to derive estimates for the WGN level (“Fa”) and also the levels of impulsive noise. These measurements will be compared with those made during the MMN Measurement Programme of 2003 and, in consultation with Professor Les Barclay, the results presented in a format that will be acceptable to the ITU-R with respect to the updating of recommendation P.372. LE band monitoring, to be performed at the first 20 sites only, will use both the AIMS equipment and a network monitoring tool. Up to four different LE bands will be covered. The results will be analysed in terms of spectral utilisation for a range of percentiles and also for diurnal variation so as to determine the relative levels of LE spectrum utilisation in different types of location. C/(I+N) measurements, to be performed at the latter 20 sites only, will follow the same principles developed during the AIMS Phase 1 programme. Results will be analysed mainly in term of CCI levels.

The programme of work has been split into a number of discrete work items: