ICS RF allocations

© ATDI, 2017

Introduction to the Frequency Allocation Table (I/II)

• As radio frequencies are a limited resource (comparable with finite land reserves), efficient use of the spectrum is

indispensable for the functioning of modern communication societies.

• “Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights of way, will be

carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The current state of allocated frequency

bands will be made publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is

not required”, The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Telecommunications Services Reference Paper of April 24, 1996,

paragraph 6.

ITU Regions for RF Spectrum Allocation

Frequency Allocation Chart displayed in ICS RF allocations

Introduction to the Frequency Allocation Table (II/II)

• A national table of frequency allocations provides the basis for an effective and transparent spectrum

management process, assuming it is designed following ITU recommendations

• It provides a general plan for spectrum use, and the basic structure to ensure efficient use of the

spectrum and the prevention of RF interference between services nationally, regionally and internationally

• Advances regional cooperation by providing a technological and legal RF table, to optimize spectrum use

• Whatever the national approach, Regulator should take into account how bands are used in other

countries, not only for compatibility with neighboring countries, but also to ensure that equipment for a

particular service can be made economically available

• Purpose of FAT (Frequency Allocation Table)

• Frequency allocation table is used to assign frequencies to all stations. No frequency can be assigned in

contradiction with frequency allocation table

• Frequency band classification is necessary for a correct distribution of the spectrum (Exclusive bands,

Shared bands, Receive-only bands, License-free bands …)

• Separated spectrum user categories to prioritize spectrum usage (military, security and civil applications).

ICS RF allocations editor User Interface

User interface is divided in

three main tabs:

Frequency Allocation Table: Main FAT view and editor

Radio Interface Regulations, which contains RIR Header and RIR Body Editor

Documents, which contains Annexes or Appendices

User Interface: Frequency Allocation Table

• Easy search of services allocated in a

specific frequency range, or included in

predefined groups (filters)

• All fields are editable (with ITU service,

hyperlink, footnote, flat text, etc…) and

customizable (flags and special

characters, color and type of letter, etc…)

• Possibility to enter data for all countries

• Each panel can be moved or resized

vectors (user defined)

freq

uen

cy b

an

ds

dis

pla

yed

Customizable presets to display data for:

• all countries

• groups of countries (Europe…)

• ITU RR

• ITU Regions

• Frequency range

• …

Properties window for each frequency band

Map Viewer

Possibility to display stations on the map,

based on different criteria:

• Frequency band

• Radiocommunications service

• Frequency application

• etc…

Raster layer available: Bing maps (possibility to

add others)

User Interface: ITU Bands overview

Definition of frequency bands according to the ITU

(customizable)

Frequency bands display

Introduction to the Radio Interface Regulations

• Technical interface regulations (RIR)

define the requirements for the

frequency use by radiocommunication

equipment in the frequency range up to

3000 GHz

• The fulfilling of the essential

requirements constitutes one of the

conditions for offering and making

available equipment on the

radiocommunication market in the

countryExample of RIR for user equipment of GSM service

(880 - 915 MHz) in Switzerland

User Interface: RIR editor

• RIR header and body are both

editable and exportable to

different formats (MS Word, MS

Excel, PDF, HTML…)

Example of RIR header (OFCOM, Switzerland)

• Possibility to track and report modifications with

comments per user (documents history)

Example of RIR Body

Example of RIR for user equipment, GSM service (880 - 915 MHz) in Switzerland

RIR body in ICS RF allocation

Dynamic generation of RIR body table

included in the PDF report

User Interface: Documents editor

Documents, which contains Annexes or Appendices

• Annexes or appendices can be

imported or created to be added

to the reports

Cell content

Document

structure

Cell properties

Example of Annex

List of frequency bands, with hyperlinks to RIR documents

FAT Reports

• Source: FAT DB

• FAT or RIR Reports based on existing templates

• Containing footnotes included in the ECA Table, with

hyperlinks to Appendix 3, European Common Allocation

Table (ECA) footnote number and text.

• Predefined presets for:

• Specific frequency range

• Set of Allocations

• Show/hide modifications or commentsConfiguration of the report window

FAT Reports

• Possibility to track and report modifications with comments per user

Example of FAT Report with comments

Export possibilities

To Internet / Intranet / file

EFIS XML, MS Word, MS Excel, PDF, HTML

Possibility to create reports joining FAT, RIR and Documents

Web Application

Example of Web Application

Key targets of Regulation Authority for spectrum management

1. Maximize RF efficiency They should ensure the effective (reuse) and efficient (bits per hertz) use of the RF spectrum

2. Harmonize with neighbor countries Harmonized RF eases the scale production and coordination of roaming devices

3. Seek transparency, that allows the public and market sectors to manage the national spectrum more efficiently

• It provides easy access to the rules, procedures and basic data and the possibility for those potentially affected to modify the ruling

• It ensures good visibility, accountability, anti-corruption and stability

• The transparent schedule of the Regulator promotes fairness among the wireless players

• Transparency is also beneficial to the Regulator: it eases the access to information to its staff, and also enables decision-makers to have access to

information most relevant to their decisions

• A public national FAT is very useful to all RF users, including importers, and permits them to check an up-to-date DB of spectrum availability

• A transparent spectrum also enables the geolocation DB, which authorize support of

White Space Device (WSD) technologies and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA)

Benefits of ICS RF allocations editor

ICS RF allocations is the first comprehensive, easy-to-use tool, to analyze the spectrum requirements for existing

and planned radio services

1. Facilitates the promotion of operators to increase spectrum utilization efficiency

2. Helps to get harmonization of spectrum usage among operators, civil and military bodies

3. Brings transparency over the job of the Regulation Authority, through the presentation of automatic reports, or

even public consultation of the data (Web service)

ICS RF allocations editor: part of ASMS, or standalone tool

ICS RF allocations as part of the ASMS

ATDI Automatic Spectrum Management System allows the Regulator to manage

all data related to spectrum management easily and hierarchically. Its process

control engine allows the implementation of automated processes for:

• License management

• Calculation of fees following the technical and administrative parameters

of the frequency assignments and the licenses

• Generation of documents (report, invoices, receipts), billing, and payment

follow-up

• International notification, international coordination

• Spectrum monitoring

• Spectrum planning, frequency assignments

• Zone allotments or band attributions

• Web interface, web services, web portals

• Management of data: antennas, equipment, site, frequency plans,

allocation charts (foot notes, services...) etc.

ICS RF allocations constitutes the essential module to meet National Allocation

Plan requirements in terms of planning and information sharing.

ICS RF allocations as standalone SW solution

ICS RF allocations can be sold as independent SW tool, with direct link tothe Regulator DB or multi-country FAT

ICS RF allocations powerful editing possibilities for FAT an RIR, as well asits multiple export options, allows the Regulator to create customizedreports for FAT and RIR based on frequency range, and including Annexesand Appendices.

DB connection options:

• Access MDB• SQL server• Oracle client• ODBC .Net• Oracle managed ODP.Net• SQLite

Sources:

www.itu.com

Wiley book: "Radio Spectrum Management - Policies,

Regulations and Techniques" by Haim Mazar

Questions and Clarifications:

Rubén Perdiz

rperdiz@atdi.com

Tel +34 664 327 946

Spectrum Management

Advanced radio planning

Spectrum Engineering

Communications Electronic Warfare

Digital Cartography