Robert J. Mayher et al.

Abstract: This report describes a new technique for calculating the spectrum space used by existing frequency assignments. The Spectrum Use Measure (SUM) model determines the amount of spectrum used at a given location or the probability that a given location is unavailable for a new assignment. These quantities, stored in a SUM data base, can be used to produce maps, histograms and indices of spectrum use. The SUM technique has been effectively applied to the 1710–1850 MHz and the 7750–7900 MHz bands. The report concludes that the SUM technique is an effective indicator of spectrum use and recommends that it should be used when evaluating service bands.

Keywords: interference; spectrum efficiency; frequency assignment; Spectrum Use Measure (SUM); Spectrum Use Bandwidth (SUB); Spectrum-Area Use Product (SAUP); Spectrum-Area Use Index (SAUl); Spectrum Use Factor (SUF); Spectrum Use Index (SUI); Technical Spectrum Efficiency Factor (TSEF); spectrum usage; radio frequency spectrum

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