Spectrum consumption model builder and analysis tool: a software tool to enhance spectrum sharing

Regulatory changes to spectrum management frameworks in the U.S. and worldwide are promoting the use of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) and spectrum sharing mechanisms. Wireless service environments that use these mechanisms will rely heavily on radio interference control and management techniques to coordinate the boundaries of spectrum use for devices owned/managed by different entities. To communicate the characteristics and limits of spectrum use of an RF transmitter, receiver, system or collection of systems, a common data structure to represent this information must be in place. Spectrum consumption models (SCMs) attempt to capture this information and support a set of computations that allow for the determination of the compatibility of the use of spectrum between devices and/or systems that communicate the characteristics of their use of spectrum with these models. SCMs are currently being standardized within the IEEE DySPAN-SC 1900.5.2 workgroup. This paper presents our results and ongoing efforts in developing an open source tool for the construction and analysis of SCMs as a means to promote their use and showcase their potential for enhancing spectrum sharing and DSA interactions.