Interference Analysis (eBook)

John Andrew Pahl, Director, Transfinite Systems Ltd, UK Pahl has worked in the field of interference analysis since the late 1980s and is director of a company specializing in this field. The company undertakes consultancy work, and has clients involved in many different types of radio systems from mobile to satellite to fixed, exposing the author to a wider range of technologies and methodologies than many in the field. He receives regular invitations to Chair international conferences, and is a recognized world expert in Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) analysis under Article 22 of the Radio Regulations. He is an experienced trainer and writer, having given dozens of training courses for his company and helping his clients understand the issues involved in interference analysis. Pahl is ideally placed, therefore, to write this book which is aimed at the professional market he inhabits.

FOREWORD 7

PREFACE 8

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 9

1.1 Motivations and Target Audience 9

1.2 Book Structure 10

1.3 Chapter Structure and Additional Resources 11

1.4 Case Study: How to Observe Interference 11

CHAPTER 2. MOTIVATIONS 13

2.1 Why Undertake Interference Analysis? 13

2.2 Drivers of Change 14

2.3 The Regulatory Framework 15

2.4 International Regulations 16

2.5 Updating the Radio Regulations and Recommendations 32

2.6 Meetings and Presenting Results 35

2.7 National Regulators 38

2.8 Regional and Industry Organisations 39

2.9 Frequency Assignment and Planning 41

2.10 Coordination 44

2.11 Types of Interference Analysis 46

2.12 Further Reading and Next Steps 46

CHAPTER 3. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS 47

3.1 Radio Communication Systems 47

3.2 Radio Waves and Decibels 50

3.3 The Power Calculation 53

3.4 Carrier Types and Modulation 56

3.5 Multiple Access Methods 69

3.6 Noise Temperature and Reference Points 79

3.7 Antennas 85

3.8 Geometry and Dynamics 103

3.9 Calculation of Angles 122

3.10 Statistics and Distributions 128

3.11 Link Budgets and Metrics 135

3.12 Spectrum Efficiency and Requirements 138

3.13 Worked Example 141

3.14 Further Reading and Next Steps 143

CHAPTER 4. PROPAGATION MODELS 144

4.1 Overview 144

4.2 The Propagation Environment 147

4.3 Terrestrial Propagation Models 158

4.4 Earth to Space Propagation Models 198

4.5 P.528: Aeronautical Propagation Model 204

4.6 Additional Attenuations 205

4.7 Radio Path Geometry 207

4.8 Percentages of Time and Correlation 208

4.9 Selection of Propagation Model 212

4.10 Further Reading and Next Steps 216

CHAPTER 5. THE INTERFERENCE CALCULATION 217

5.1 Bandwidths and Domains 217

5.2 Bandwidth Adjustment Factor 221

5.3 Spectrum Masks, Ratios and Guard Bands 223

5.4 Polarization 249

5.5 Adaptive Systems: Frequency, Power and Modulation 253

5.6 End to End Performance 259

5.7 Modelling Deployment and Traffic 261

5.8 Link Design and Margin 271

5.9 Interference Apportionment and Thresholds 275

5.10 Types of Interference Thresholds 285

5.11 Interference Mitigation 306

5.12 Further Reading and Next Steps 317

CHAPTER 6. INTERFERENCE ANALYSIS METHODOLOGIES 318

6.1 Methodologies and Studies 318

6.2 Example Scenarios 320

6.3 Static Analysis 328

6.4 Input Variation Analysis 335

6.5 Area and Boundary Analysis 339

6.6 Minimum Coupling Loss and Required Separation Distance 345

6.7 Analytic Analysis 348

6.8 Dynamic Analysis 354

6.9 Monte Carlo Analysis 364

6.10 Area and Two Stage Monte Carlo 386

6.11 Probabilistic Analysis 392

6.12 Selection of Methodology 393

6.13 Study Projects and Working Methods 396

6.14 Further Reading and Next Steps 398

CHAPTER 7. SPECIFIC ALGORITHMS AND SERVICES 399

7.1 Fixed Service Planning 400

7.2 Private Mobile Radio 407

7.3 Broadcasting 421

7.4 Earth Station Coordination 433

7.5 GSO Satellite Coordination 440

7.6 EPFD and Rec. ITU-R S.1503 456

7.7 The Radar Equation 471

7.8 N-Systems Methodology 475

7.9 Generic Radio Modelling Tool 482

7.10 White Space Devices 488

7.11 Final Thoughts 500

CHAPTER 8. REFERENCES 501

CHAPTER 9. ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS 511

CHAPTER 10. INDEX 519

Interference analysis is fundamental to spectrum management and this book provides a comprehensive and detailed guide to this subject. The author is an expert who has chaired ITU-R meetings and contributed to many ITU-R Recommendations. The book builds from the motivations for interference analysis, including national and international regulatory regimes, all the way to sophisticated Monte Carlo analysis and descriptions of how to model specific services and their associated algorithms. It covers a wide range of systems and services, including Wi-Fi, fixed links, private mobile radio (PMR), 2G, 3G, 4G, broadcasting, radar, white space, ultra-wideband and programme making and special events plus science, navigation, maritime, aeronautical and satellite systems, including both GSO and non-GSO.

The book describes fundamental concepts such as the link budget, carrier types, access methods, noise calculations, antennas, dynamics, statistics and propagation models and then builds up to details of the interference calculation and interference analysis methodologies. In particular, the book describes how to convolve transmit and receive spectrum masks, construct link budgets with an associated interference margin and use them to derive thresholds, including apportionment. Alternative interference metrics are described together with methods to mitigate against interference.

The book is essential for both those new or experienced in the field, to help understand and advance technical studies for system design, frequency assignment, coordination or regulatory analysis.

Dr Haim Mazar, Israel