Donald R. Ewing and Leslie A. Berry

Abstract: A generally accepted spectrum use metric (unit of spectrum-space use) would expedite efficient allocation and management of the spectrum resource. It would be useful for quantitative studies of spectrum congestion, and for economic analysis of the resource. Such a metric would benefit the operation of a market or quasi-market in spectrum rights. Several metrics have previously been proposed, but none has been generally adopted. In this paper the position is taken that use of the spectrum-space means denial of frequency bandwidth, geographic area, and time to other prospective users. This denial may be physical or administrative in nature. Further, both transmitters and receivers use spectrum-space in this sense. Three alternative spectrum -space metrics are defined based on physical denial of spectrum-space. Their relative merits and their relationship to previously proposed metrics are discussed.

Keywords: spectrum utilization; spectrum usage; spectrum occupancy; measurement of spectrum use; radio frequency use

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