Feasibility of Deployment of TV White Spaces in Uganda.

Abstract

In this project, the effective utilisation of TV whitespace in the UHF band in Uganda on an unlicensed basis is addressed. This involves determining parameters a whitespace device performing spectrum sensing can use to en- sure harmless unlicensed communication in this band. Spectrum occupancy, noise, and received signal power measurements were carried out in differ- ent environments (suburban and urban) to determine suitable occupancy threshold and sensing bandwidth for unlicensed devices to operate in this band. The hidden node margin was analysed with respect to environment and frequency. Results show greater hidden node margins in urban areas and at higher frequencies translating to a lower required occupancy thresh- old. Noise level in an 8MHz channel was found to be at most -76dBm. We propose a sensing bandwidth smaller than the 8MHz channel for greater ac- curacy and a sensing system based on taking three samples per channel. TV whitespace utilisation in the UHF band will be feasible with the unlicensed devices able to meet the recommended constraints.