Long-Term, Wide-Band Spectral Monitoring in Support of Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks at the IIT Spectrum Observatory

This paper describes the development, deployment and early results of a long-term, wide-band (30 MHz - 6 GHz) spectrum observatory system focused on downtown Chicago and the immediately surrounding areas. Previous short term studies have indicated that more than 80% of the spectral capacity may be unused, even in United States urban centers. The goals of this research effort include the validation of these early results, the understanding of trends in spectral usage over long periods (years), the observation of usage patterns and anomalies, and the detection of the positions of spectral "holes" in time and space. The current status in the attainment of these goals will be shared in this paper. This information, once obtained, vetted and appropriately analyzed will be extremely useful in the development of cognitive radios and other dynamic access network systems, and in the proper establishment of policies and regulations to govern the deployment of such systems.