DTV coverage and protection contour estimation for spatial white space

TV white spaces are vacant, unused or interleaved frequencies located between broadcast TV channels in the VHF/UHF range, which can be found between 54 MHz and 806 MHz. Utilization of these vacant channels has become a major challenge since the idea of cognitive radio (CR) technology, which aims to exploit the available TV white space may not be guaranteed for deployment at the present stage. This calls for alternative spectrum management models and techniques that would allow efficient utilization of the TV white space. In this work, we develop an algorithm that predicts the service contour and makes decision on the availability of the white space. The algorithm recovers the region outside global no-talk zone of the primary user. Results of simulation show that the amount of white space recovered depends on the threshold rule applied. It was also found that the keep-out-distance varies as a function of the operating frequency and the propagation characteristics of the area.