Quantification of spectrum use: spectrum management tools for the twenty-first century

The author presents two types of spectrum use quantification tools, one for individual systems and one for the aggregate of systems in a frequency band and a geographic region. Potential applications of these tools in the areas of system planning, spectrum planning, and spectrum efficiency are described. It is concluded that spectrum use quantification tools provide a powerful new tool for effectively apportioning frequencies for new telecommunications systems and planning the exploitation of spectrum resources. Moreover, they provide new opportunities for using valuable spectrum resources more efficiently