CA2100225C - Spectrum sharing communications system and system for monitoring available spectrum - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile radio communications network is provided with a system for allocating one or more ranges of transmission frequency to the communications network, in order to prevent the network from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system. The allocating system may be provided with a device for receiving and monitoring information indicative of the presence and location of incumbent radio stations. A signal level monitoring system monitors signals transmitted from incumbent radio stations to determine the frequency and degree of RF isolation, with respect to a monitoring antenna of the monitoring system, of the stations.
The monitoring system includes monitoring antennas, a spectrum analyzer, a device for controlling the spectrum analyzer, and a device for processing and correcting the data produced by the spectrum analyzer.

Description

x'10966 . S 3 3 SPECTRUM SHARING COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AVAIIu~B?rE SPECTRUM

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radic communications network which shares (i.e., transmits and/or receives signals within) the frequency space of an incsmbent radio system, and a system fcr monitoring for the availability of frecuenc_~

space. Mcre particularly, the present invention is directed _ to a radio communications system which includes a radic communications freauency allocation control system, a mobile communications network, and a signal level monitoring system.

The radio communications frequency allocation control system allocates one or more ranges et transmission frecuency to the mobile communications network, without impinging on the operation of an incumbent radio system. The signal level monitoring system monitors the levels of signals transmitted by an inc,:mbent radio system in order to determine the availability of one or more ranges of transmission frecuency.

2. Discussion of Background Information In several of its more specific embodiments and aspects, the present invention is related to mobile cellular radio systems, and more particularly to microcellular radio syste:us (intended far slow-moving, rather than vehicular, users). One of the objects of the present invention, in one or more of its particular aspects, is to provide a mechanism by which a microcellular radio system may utilize radio channels which are also assigned to fixed radio systems, such as paint-to-point systems (e.g., Private Operational Fixed Microwave -POFM) .

While several countries, including the United Kingdom, and other countries in Europe and Asia, have each reserved an exclusive spectrum for implementation of the next generation of wireless Personal Communications Services (PCS), the United 2~~~~ ~.~
r10966.533 States has not reserved such a clear and unassigned spectrum for PCS. In the United Srates, incumbent radio systems such as POEM have already been assigned use of certain portions of the frequency spectrum (between 1850 and 2200 MHz), and accordingly restrain the ability to implement and thus utilize emerging PCS technologies.

New techniques have been proposed for facilitating the cperation of low-power microcellular networks which will share ;. frequency bands now being used by existing radio services.

Four basic approaches have been proposed to facilitate such~_ spectrum sharing with incumbent radio systems. A first approach, known as geographically coordinated sharing, is an adaptation of a known microwave link coordinaticn_technique, employed by terrestrial point-to-point micrcwave system designers. With this apprcach, computer models are utilized to determine inter-link interference from information concerning terrain scattering (e. g., trees and buildings), signal propagation, and antenna patterns.

A second approach, known as "geographical avoidance,"

operates based upon the presumption that a microwave receiver will not encounter interference from low power terminals transmitting on the same channel if those terminals utilize a level of power which is sufficiently low, and if the terminals are located far enough away frcm the microwave receiver sites .

Significant amounts of information concerning the physical dimensions of nearby objects and complex computer-aided radio propagation modeling techniques must be utilized in order to employ this approach, and preferred propagation models used in conjunction with the geographical avoidance technique do not give an accurate picture of available microwave channels (and thus fail to provide the optimal reclamation of microwave channels which could be utilized by the mobile communications system) .

P10966.S33 A third spectrum sharing approach utilizes wideband modulation techniques, so that a low-power mobile communications system will occupy a much wider bandwidth than a higher power incumbent radio system. One example implementation of such a spectrum sharing approach utilizes a Wideband Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (CDM~) spectrum overlay with a lower power level per microwave c hannel, i.~. which a transmitted signal of the mobile system is spread over five microwave channels of the incumbent syste::., thus reducir~c the per-channel power by 7 dB as compared wit:

narrow band approaches. By utilizing this technique, the size of each exclusion zone for any one microwave channel will be reduced by a factor of nearly two, assuming free-space (i.e., no shadowing) propagation. The disadvantages of this aporoac include the additional complexity required for each handheld terminal of the mobile communications system, and the li,telihood that unwanted intersystem interference (mobile-tc-fixed and fixed-to-mobile) will inevitably result in areas where there is a high density of fixed microwave systems.

Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that ten PCN

transmitters which employ Wideband Direct Sequence CDMA, each having a 1 mW output power and being located 2 miles from a ffixed microwave site, can substantially degrade the performance of a fixed point-to-point microwave receiver.

Evidence al so suggests that a single PCN user, at up to 12 miles away from a fixed microwave receiver site, could potentially interfere with a fixed microwave link. See page 8 of Prabhu, V. K., "Some Considerations of Frequency Sharing Between Fixed Service and Personal Communications Network,"

Report to FCC Regarding GEN. Docket 90-314, October 1, 1990.

In a fourth approach to spectrum sharing, adaptive notch filters are provided in mobile radio terminals which employ Wideband Direct Sequence CDMA. The notch filters each reduce r~tc~~~J~~~~
P10966.533 or eliminate the strength of signals within a specified f r ecuency band which ar a transmit =ed by the radio ter-_ninal .

The mobile communicaticns network controls the terminals to tune each notch filter tc a particular channel, tc t~us prevent harmful interference to a nearby fixed microwave receiver tuned to that charnel. One significant disadvantage associated with this approach is the additicnal costs associated with incorporating the adaptive filters i_~. each handheld terninal , and the added complexity of coon diva zinc t:~e operaticn of the adaptive fil ters. In addition, t~:e nu.:tber of mobile radio terminals which can transmit at a giver.

location is determined based on the closest microwave site of those which use anv of the microwave channels over which the PCN signal is spread. Accordingly, in a dense environment of fixed microwave usage, Wideband Direct Sequence CDM~ mcbila communications systems will 1~_kely require larger exclusion ~cnes than Narrowband mobile systems.

3. Definitions For purposes of clarification, and to assist readers in an understanding of the present invention, a number of terms used herein are defined as follows (a number of variables used throughout this application are detailed at Tables 1-s oz this application):

Incumbent Radio System: A system having access to a portion of the frequency spectrum shared in common with another radio communications system, in that the other radio communications system will cede use of the spectrum to the incumbent radio system under specified circumstances.

PCS (Personal Communications Services):

Services which may include a broad range of person-centered telecommunications services which are .~~. ~~ l P10966.S33 independent of the media used for delivery and oriented toward a person, rather than a locatien.
PCN (Portable Communications Network): A
netwcr:l which delivers PCS through personalized .. light weight radio ccmmunications terminals.
Spectrum Analyzer: A system which measures signal levels within specified frequency bards, tc produce a plurality of signal values cor~espcndi::g to those signal levels.
A Co-Located Receiver (Transmitter): A
receiver (transmitters associated with a transmitter (receiver), wherein one or a plurality of antennas utilized by each of th a receiver and tr ans:.ii t ter are in c l ose proximi ty to one anc th or , or are one and the same.
Ancillary Communications Network: A
commu:.ications network which is radio-based, at least in part, and which will cede use of a per=.ion of the frequency spectrum, shared in common wi th an incumbent radio system, to the incumbent radio system under specified circumstances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, the present invention, through one or more of its various aspects and/or embodiments, is thus presented to bring about one or more objects and advantages, such as those noted below.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a radio communications network which shares a portion of the frequency spectrum with incumbent radio systems, such as fixed point-to-point microwave radio systems.
It is a further object of the present invention to implement a radio communications network, and avoid harmful interference to incumbent radio systems while implementing the _ t r, ~ ~~ r3 P10966.533 same. Meanwhile, it is an object to give the network a maximum amount of access to the spectrum without irterfer~nC

with the incumbent systems, e.g., with a mi~,imum c.

undesirable or excessive interference with such systems.

It is a further object of the present invention tc provide a spectrum sharing Personal or Portable Communicaticns Net-~ork (PCN) which has a defined, but flexible, protcccl which may be implemented with several available technologies.

= It is an additional ohject of the invention to prcvide a spectrum sharing system which will operate in an envircnmer.~

where there are terrestrial microwave transmitters nearby and which is compatible with known multiple access ccmmunicatiens systems and a majority of evolving PCN technologies.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a spectrum sharing system that employs capabilities inherent t~

conventional and evolving cellular and micrccellular communications systems, including semi-fixed and adaptive frequency assignment, base station controlled and mebile-assisted handoff, and frequency agile subscriber terminals.

It is a further object of the present invention to accommodate multiple service providers in a given area withi_~.

a single incumbent system microwave channel, for environments where the density of incumbent microwave system frecruency use is extremely high.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide a measurement-based spectrum sharing system for identifying frequency band segments which correspond to receivers of an incumbent radio system having sufficient RF

isolation from transmitters of an additional communicatians system.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a spectrum sharing system which executes automatic and dynamic spectrum coordination between incumbent microwave c ~ -~ ','.~ !a :'~ ~ C.~
i.e .~ ~:> ii . ~ 6'~.d P10966.S33 users and PC:1 users through the use of open and standard PC~1 control interfaces.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system which (unlike Wideband Direct Secruence CDM~

approaches, which spread a low-power mobile radio signal ever several microwave channels of incumbent radio systems) wi'_1 not transmi ~ any signals withi n microwave channels utilized by certain nearby microwave receivers o. incumbent radio systems.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a frecsuency spectrum sharing system which will accommodate multiple mobile communications system providers in the same geographical area, who must share a common block of spectrum.

It is a further object of the present invention to utilize a three-dimensional exclusion zone based on the individual path characteristics of simplex POFM paths, thus also preventing interference of simplex POFM (Private Operational Fixed Microwave), in addition to duplex point-to-point fixed microwave systems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a measurement system which can determine the likelihood that a radio communications system will interfere with an incumbent microwave system by utilizing a transmitter of the incumbent system which is co-located with a receiver as a "beacon" to help determine the degree of RF isolation between the low-power mobile network and the receiver antenna of the fixed microwave system, thus identifying what spectrum is available for use by the mobile network. In this approach, a disadvantage associated with previous systems is eliminated.

The measurement system can compensate for higher fixed microwave receiver antenna gains in estimating the degree of RF isolation between a mobile network and a fixed microwave site, since signals transmitted by the co-located transmitter will be received with a higher signal strength.

:10966.S33 The present invention, therefore, is directed to a spectrum sharing communications network and system for monitoring available spectrum. In a particular aspect of the invention, a radio communications frequency allocation control S system is provided which allocates one or more ranges of transmission frequency to an ancillary communications network.

The network comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, and the ranges of frequency, are allocated in order to prevent _- one or more of the ancillary radio stations from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system which shares frequency space with the ancillary communications network.

The ccntrol system includes a device for receiving and monitoring information indicative of the presence and location of an incumbent radio system, wherein the information includes a plurality of levels and frequencies of radio signals which are located within the frequency range of the incumbent radio system. In addition, a device is provided for processing the information into a form more closely representative of the actual presence and location of the incumbent station; and a device is provided which is responsive to the processing device for allocating one or more frequency ranges within which the mobile communications network can transmit signals without excessively interfering with the received signals of the incumbent radio system.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, the receiving and monitoring device includes a device for periodically measuring levels of signals across an entire frequency band of interest utilized by the ancillary communications network. The periodic measuring device comprises a device for synchronizing assignment of the ancillary communications network transmission frequencies, so that the periodic measuring device will not measure signals ~_. 2~.4~~~' ~~10966 . S33 which include signals transmitted frem the ancillary communications network.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a radio cemmunicaticns frecuency allocation conzrel system is provided which allccates one or more ranges of transmission frequency to an ancillary (e. g., mobile) communications network. The ranges of transmission frequency are allocated i~.~order to prevent one or more of a plurality of ancillar-~

.= radio stations of the ancillary communications network frc.:~

.0 interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio syste-:

which shares frequency space with the ancillary communication=

network, and which comprises one or more incumbent radic stations. It includes a device for obtaining _informatior.

which represents one or mcre incumbent radio stations, which information includes a plurality of signal level values and corresponding frecuency values obtained from radio signals within the frequency range of the incumbent radio system; anc a device for processing the information into a form more closely representative cf the actual presence and location of the incumbent radio stations. A device is provided for receiving data regarding the availability of frequency ranges within which the ancillary communications network can communicate without interfering with the incumbent radio w system. In addition, a device, which is responsive to the receiving device, is provided for allocating one or more frequency ranges within which the ancillary communicatiens network can transmit signals without interfering with the received signals of the incumbent radio system.

In another aspect of the invention, a mobile communications network is provided. The network includes at least one base station, and at least one user terminal capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the base station. The signals are transmitted and received within a F~10966. S33 frequency band which is narrower than a channel of an incumbent radio system which shares frequency spectrum wit:

the mobile communications network. A device is provided which assigns frequencies on which the user terminal transmits anc receives the signals; at least a portion of the frequency assigning device is located at the base station. In addition, a device is provided for receiving parameters representative of~ ranges of freauencies which can be assigned by the __ frequency assigning device. The parameters comprise an available channels list, and the apparatus includes means fc controlling the frequency assigning means to only assign frequencies listed in the available channels list.

In accordance with another aspect of the presence invention, a signal level monitoring system is provided. The system includes monitoring antennas, a spectrum analyzer, a control device, and a processing device. The spectra.:, analyzer, which is coupled to the monitoring antennas, produces data representative of a signal level container within at least one frequency band received by each of the antennas. A control device controls the spectrum analyzer, and a processing device processes the data produced by the spectrum analyzer to produce data representative of a frequency of an incumbent radio receiver and a degree of RF

isolation, between at least one of the monitoring antennas and the incumbent radio receiver.

In accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, the processing device includes a device for storing signal level data measured by each of the antennas, and assigning one data record per antenna. In addition, devices are provided for detecting apparent bursts in the signal level data, and for determining when abnormally high signal levels are measured. The processing device may also include devices for re-measuring the signals, and for adjusting the signal levels l0 "°
P10966.S33 when a re-measurement of the signals results in a lower measured signal level. The processing device may also include devices for integrating a signal measured over a specified frequency range, and for correcting the measured signal level data in accordance with calibration data.
In ancther aspect of the present invention, a method is - provided for allocating one or more ranges of transmission.
frequency to an ancillary communications network which . comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, in order to prevent any of said plurality of ancillary radio stations frcn interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system which shares frequency space with said ancillary communications network, and which comprises orae or more incumbent radio stations. The method comprises obtaining information. indicative of the presence and location of the one or more incumbent radio stations, with the informaticn comprising a plurality of signal level values anc corresponding frequency values obtained from radio signals which are located within the frec_uency range of the incumbent radio system; processing the information into a form more closely representative of the actual presence and location of the one or more incumbent radio stations; and, in accordance with such processing, allocating one or more frequency ranges y.w within which the ancillary communications network can transmit signals without interfering with received signals of the incumbent radio system.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for allocating one or more ranges of transmission frequency to an ancillary communications network which comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, in order to prevent one or more of the plurality of ancillary radio stations from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system. The method comprises obtaining data P10966.533 regarding the availability of frequency ranges within which the ancillary communications network can communicate withcu~
interfering with the incumbent radio system; and, in accordance with the obtained data, allocating cne or mcre frequency ranges within which the ancillary cemmunicaticns network can transmit signals.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a methoc for monitcring signal levels is provided which comprises _. positioning a piu=ality of monitoring antennas adjacent ar~
ancillary communica:.ions network; analyzing the spect~,~ c.
signals received at the monitoring antennas with a spectn:m analyzer, and producing data representative of a signal level contained within at least one frequency band received by each of the antennas; and processing information which includes data produced by the spectrum analyzer to produce data representative of a frequency of an incumbent receiver and a degree of RF isolation between at least one of the monitoring antennas and the incumbent receiver.
The above-listed and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be mere fully set forth hereinaf ter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is further described in the .
detailed description which follows, by reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a radio communications frequency allocation control system implemented in conjunction with a mobile network and an incumbent radio system;

P10°66.533 Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of a microcell cluster, associated signal level monitoring antennas and nearby incumbent radio system antennas;

Fig. 3 illustrates an available channels deter-minatior.

system connected to a signal level monitor in accorance wi t a particular embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates the operation of controller 42 of available channels determination system 28 shown ir. Fig. 3;

; = Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a sic:~al level measurement module (SL.H) 481 Fig. 6 illustrates the flow chart which repr=Bents t:~e operation of an Intermodulation Distortion Analysis module (IDA) 52;

Fig. 7 illustrates the operation of a Space Diversi~.J

Combiner module (SDC) 54;

Figs. 8A-8E collectively illustrate the operation of a Microwave Transmitter Locations module (MTL) 56;

Fig. 9 illustrates the operation of a Receiver Frequency Availability module (R~'A) 58 ;

Fig. 10 illustrates the operation of a Transmitter Frequency Availability module (TFA) 60;

Figs. 11A-118 illustrate the operation of a Channels List Conditioning module (CLC) 62:

Fig. 12 illustrates a "keyhole" in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a signal level monitoring system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 14 illustrates an example of a point-to-point incumbent radio system path; and Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a frequency allocation control system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 'r10966.533 Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, Fig. 1 shows a radio communications frecuencv allocation control system 30 for allocating one or more ranges of transmission freau~ncy to a mobile communication network 12, and an antenna 10 of an incumbent radio system. Control system 30 comprises a plurality of sets of Signal Level Monitoring Antennas (SL.'~A's) 24, a signal level monitor 32, a system database (SD~H) 34, an information processor 36, and a mobile networ:c : - interface (~1 I/F) 38. System database (SDB) 34 includes an i nout 35 whi c:: accents database update infox-matior..

Mobile communications network (I~1) 12 includes a group of microcells 14, each microcell including a base station 18 having at least one antenna, and one or more user terminals 15. PCSO (Portable Communications Switching Office) 20 is connected to each microcell 14, and includes an input which receives STN (Switched Telephone Network) 22, and a channel assignment device 21 which is coupled to mobile network interface (M.N I/F) 38.

In accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, MN

12 comprises a microcell telecommunications system having a plurality of continuous or discontinuous cells 14 arranged in the form of a microcell cluster I3, each microcell in a cluster typically having a different assigned set of transmission frequencies. By way of example, MN 12 may comprise a microcellular radio communications system such as disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 5,067,149, the content of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

Signal level monitor 32, system database (SDB) 34, and information processor 36, together comprise an analysis system 31. Allocation control system 30, by utilization of analysis system 31, allocates one or more ranges of transmission frequency to 1~1 12 , by sending a list of available channels to channel assignment device 21, via MN I/F 38. Channel P10966.S33 assignment device 21 appropriately assigns the frequencies to respective microcells 14 within the microcell cluster 13 of IAN

12, within the confines of the available channel list defined by allocation control system 30.

For purposes of the disclosure contained herein, the lisp.

of available channels (i.e., the available channels list -ACL) can include either a list of available channels of a~.

incumbent radio system which are free for use by an MN 12, cr rather a list of segments of the available channels of the incumbent radio system, whereby, e.g., each segme.~.t corresponds to a frequency band utilized by I~1 12.

Analysis system 31 determines the list of available frequency channels so that the mobile communication network (MN) 12, when utilizing those available channels, will nct transmit signals which will interfere with signals received by a nearby incumbent radio system site 11. Signal level monitor 32 monitors the levels of microwave signal s which are received by an SLMA 24 (and which will include, for example, signals which are transmitted from incumbent radio system antenna 10 of the nearby incumbent radio system site 11). System database (SDB) 34 includes information concerning nearby incuiabent radio systems which may be readily accessed by information processor 36. Information processor 36 utilizes the information obtained by signal level monitor 32 and SDB 34 in order to determine the available ranges of transmission freguency which may be allocated to mobile communications network 12, and outputs a list of such ranges of transmission frequency in the form of an available channels list to channel assignment device 21 of PCSO 20, via 1~IN I/F 38. Signal level monitor 32 periodically measures the level of microwave signals received at each SLMA 24 across an entire frequency band of interest. A separate set of SLMA's 24 may be r10966.533 associated with each microcell 14 (by, e.g., placing SL'sA's a' the periprery thereof) .

Information processor 36 identifies detected signals and pairs those signals with corresponding information related to es~.ablished incumbent microwave systems stored in SDB 34.

Channels used by nearby incumbent receivers are deter-iained by information processor 36, based on measurement of signals f=cm co-located transmitters. Information processor 36 then _ _ determines the probability that MN 12 will interfere with the nearby incumbent radio system, and furnishes a list c frecuency channel segments which are available for use by eac'.~_~_ microcell cluster 13. A channel assignment algorithm, provided within the mobile switching system or base staticr.

controller of the mobile communications network (e. g., PCSO

20) assigns user channels to terminals 16 within each microcell 14, based upon the available channels list, and based upon subscriber demand.

Mobile communications network (Mh') 12 may include a PC~1 (POrtable/Person-Centered Communications Network) which is functionally similar to conventional cellular and advanced cordless telephone networks. PCSO 20 of MN 12 provides mobility management (e. g., handoff from microcell-to-microcell 14), and connectivity (from portable terminal 16 to terminal 16). MN 12 may utilize such known techniques as dynamic channel assignment and mobile-assisted handoff in providing such a mobility management function.

In operation, the spectrum sharing system depicted in Fig. 1 will perform three general functions. An available channels list is periodically determined by information processor 36 in conjunction with SDB 34 and signal level monitor 32; the list is assigned to PCSO 20 via MN I/F 38 and channel assignment device 21; and MN 12 utilizes the available channels on a first-come first-serve basis.

2~~~~~~
r10966.S33 Terminals 16 communicate with their respective base stations 18 via an MN control channel. Each terminal 16 (which may be portable) scans multiple control channels to identify which control channel is proper far the appropriate MN service provider. A particular user channel is assigned by base station 18, as dictated by PCSO 20 and channel assignment.
device 21.
Within the confines of the available channels lisp _- provided to channel assignment device 21, MN 12 will utilize only those frequencies for which a probability of interference with incumbent radio systems (such as nearby incumbent radio system site 11) will be negligible. Allocation control system 30, in determining the probability of interference at a particular frequency channel and location, adaptively I5 compensates fcr various radio wave propagation effects, such as scattering from reflective objects near microwave antenna site 11, interference reduction by solid objects which attenuate signals received by incumbent receivers, the positioning and pattern of radio system antenna I0, the receiver bandwidth of the incumbent radio system site I1, and the location of microcell cluster 13. Allocation control system 30 also determines the probability of interference to the I~1 terminal 16 due to signals being transmitted by incumbent radio systems, such as from antenna 10 located at nearby site 11.
Fig. 2 illustrates co-located transmitter/receiver antennas A, B, C, and D which surround a microcell cluster 13.
Monitoring antennas (SLMA's) 1-4 are located at the periphery of microcell cluster 13, which is shown to be located within a building 40.
Each of SLMAs 1-4 is connected to a signal level monitor 32 (not shown; see Fig. 1). Signal level monitor 32 periodically scans all of the channels which may be assigned P10966.533 to the nearby sites A-D, and reports the level and frequency of received signals to information processor 36. Each of antennas A-D represents an antenna for a co-located transmitte~/receiver of an incumbent radio system. The degree of RF isolation between microcell cluster 13 and a nearby receiver of an incumbent radio system corresponding to, for example, microwave antenna A, is readily determined by monitoring the signal of the co-located transmitter of site A

_ _ (once the paired transmit/receive frec_ruencies for site A are known). The transmitter and receiver associated with each cf sites A-D may either share the same antenna or other~tise utilize separate antennas very close to one another. Far purposes of simplification, Fig. 2 only depicts. one antenna for each site.

Signal level monitor 32 can utilize various techniques to improve the reliability of transmission in the direction of incumbent systems to SLMA's 24, including, e.g., space diversity, polarization diversity, and the placement of the monitoring antennas 1-4 at the periphery of microcell cluster 13. By strategically positioning each SLMA at the periphery of microcell cluster 13, the levels of signals detected by each SLMA will be higher than signals which are propagated to locations within the cluster. Thus, by relying on the higher signal levels, which suggest a lower RF isolation, the system effectively ensures that a particular terminal within microcell cluster 13 will not interfere with a nearby incumbent system receiver which may be located at one of sites A-D, regardless of the location of the terminal within microcell cluster 13.

Multiple SLMA antennas (1-4 - Fig. 2: 24-Fig. 1) are employed with both horizontal and vertical polarizations in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, in order to improve the accuracy of the signal .~r 't i ~J ~ '~
~10966.S33 level measurements performed by signal level monitor 32 in a mufti-path radio signal propagation environment. By configuring the antennas in such a fashion, the probability that frequency selective fading will occur is substantially reduced, thus decreasing the possibility of an erroneous decision about the probability of interference.

As noted above, for two-way point-to-point incumbent radio system links, the degree of isolation between a microwave cluster and an incumbent radio system receive antenna can be determined by monitoring signals transmitted from a co-located transmitter (which utilizes an antenna at the same site as the receive antenna), once the paired co-located transmit/receive frequencies are known. It is also necessary, in some situations, to identify the RF isolation of a receiver antenna of a one-way (simplex) incumbent radio system link, which does net comprise a co-located transmitter .

The spectrum sharing system of the present invention identifies and utilizes elevation-dependent and geography-dependent spectrum "gaps", and assigns available frequency channel segments to PCSO 20 of the mobile communications network (ICI) 12 so that MN 12 will only transmit signals which fit within those "gaps". For one-way (i.e., simplex) fixed incumbent radio system links, information is acquired from signal level monitor 32 and system database 34, and is utilized by information processor 36 in order to determine whether or not a particular microcell 14 falls within a three-dimensional exclusion zone far each one-way (simplex) incumbent radio system link. For two-way (i.e., duplex) fixed incumbent radio system links, a microwave transmitter which is co-located with a receiver of each site of the fixed incumbent radio system is used as a "beacon" to help determine the degree of RF isolation between the mobile communications network and the fixed receiver site, to thus determine whether P10966.S33 there is likelihood of interference if the mobile communications network transmits signals within the frequency channel of the receiver.

Signal level monitor 32 is synchronized with the frequency assignment of MN 12 based on the channels which are assigned by channel assignment device 21 of PCSO 20. Signal ' level monitor 32 is synchronized to measure signal levels which are at frec_ruencies not being utilized by MN I2, to thus : - prevent ccrruption of the measurements performed by signal level mcnitor 32. To effect the above-described synchronization, between channel assignment device 21 of MN 12 and signal level monitor 32 by way of example, IrIN 12 may be configured to indicate to signal level monitor 32,~ via I~1 I/F

38 when measurements can be made on certain freauencies.

Alternatively, signal level monitor 32 may be configured to control/notify MN 12, via MN I/F 38, to avoid transmitting on certain frequencies for a specified time interval. In this regard, as an illustrative but nonlimiting example, information. processor 31 may supply a "modified" available channels list to I~1 12, which does not include the frequencies to be measured by signal level monitor 32. Upon completion of a set of measurements by signal level monitor 32, the available channels list may again be modified, to include w either a previously specified available channels list, or an additional modified channels list, (so that further frec_ruencies can be measured by signal level monitor 32).

As noted above, one possible implementation for I~IN 12 includes the microcell system disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

5,067,147. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, I~1 12 includes the following protocol framework, in order to maximize the potential operation of the spectrum sharing system shown in fig. l, while allowing ~10966.S33 deployment of evolving mobile communications netwcr:t technologies in conjunction wit:Z the spectrum sharing system.

Time Division Duplexing (TDD) may be preferred fcr the uplink and downlink radio protocol of MN 12 rather t ha.~.

Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), because of the possible need to employ only one channel for mobile communications network transmissions in certain highly congested metropoli ta:, areas. For example, TDD will be preferred in the event there _ is only one segment cf available spectrum at any one tire, e.g., in areas of high incumbent radio system usage. TDD wild also facilitate the employment of space or polarizatior.

diversity antennas at the MN base station to enhance performance of both uplinks and downlinks of the system. An FDD protocol may be utilized, as long as pairs of channel segments, (i.e., pairs of available channel segments, intended for the uplink and the downlink, respectively) are included i::

the available channels list produced by informaticn processc~

36. Shculd MN 12 utilize an FDD protocol, various transmit/receive frequency offset spacings (between the uplink and downlink) may be employed. In such a case, with varicus offset freauency spacings, information processor 36 should be provided with a device for adaptively assigning pairs of frequencies which are spaced in accordance with the FDD

protocol of MN 12.

In one example of MN system 12, two PCN channel protocols may be utilized: a control channel protocol and a user channel protocol. The control channel and user channel protocols allow users subscribing to multiple licensed irIN

services (such as PCN) to share a single incumbent radio channel in a given geographical area. This is possible since several specific control channels are spread across the entire frequency band to be shared, and subscriber terminal receivers are programmed to scan all the control channels until they 10966.533 identify the strongest home system control channel. In addition, an MN base station will assign user channels on a ffirst-come, first-serve basis until the available spectrum is entirely utilized for a given serving area.
User terminals 16 may be provided with automat'_c transmitting power adjustment devices, so that only the minimum needed transmitter power can be utilized. Such a transmitter power adjustment device will preferably be _= provided with a wide power adjustment range so that user l0 terminals 16 may accommodate varied user density applications.
Depending on ~,..he particular application, the width of the user and control channels of MN 12 may preferably be less the.~.
the width of the narrowest channel of the incumbent radio system. So that 121 12 can operate concurrently with the incumbent radio system using a common block of the frequency spectrum, each of user terminals 16 should be provided wit:., e.g., an R= tuning range of at least two cr three times the width of one channel of the incumbent radio system. When the incumbent radio system comprises, e.g., a fixed point-to-poin~
microwave radio system, the RF tuning range may preferably be, e.g., at least 30 MHz, or at least 140 MHz (where the incumbent radio system has a channel width of about 10 MHz).
In addition, the RF tuning range may be at least 4 MHz (where .
the incumbent radio system has a channel width of less than 1 MHz).
In order to accommodate multiple low-power PCS service providers in the same geographic area who must share a commor.
block of spectrum, MN 12 can comprise multiple system control channels across the entire frequency band of the incumbent radio system.
In accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention, MN 12 is provided with base station controlled handoff, which can optionally be mobile-assisted.

_,10966 . S33 Accordingly, the assignment of frequency channels by 1~N 12 can be ccntrolled.via base stations 18, which are coupled to information processor 36 of allocation control system 30 as shown in Fig. 1.

Further information regarding implementation of I~1 12 is included in "Cellular Mobile Telephone System, C~ 20 System Description", document LET 120206 En, which is published by Ericsson Radio Systems AH, S-16480 Stockholm, Sweden, _ - telephone 468-757-0000, the content of which is expressly 10. incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additicnal information regarding cluster-to-cluster handoff protocol is included in Electronic Industries Association document EIA/TIA/IS-41.1-B (December, 1991), entitled "EIA/TIA Interim Standard, Cellular Radio-Telecommunications Intersystem ~ Operations: Functional Overview," (which may be obtained from Global Engineering Documents, 2805 McGaw Avenue, Irving, CA

l 92714, (714) 261-1455, (800) 854-7179), the content of which is also expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Further to the above-described MN protocol framework which can be used in conjunction with the sharing system shown in Fig. 1, it is noted that the MN protocol framework can include both conventional (e.g., circuit-switched, primarily , voice) mobile networks and evolving (e. g., packet-switched, multimedia) mobile networks. One example of an evolving network includes a system which utilizes ATM switches and a high-speed backbone network fabric with an ATM-compatible fixed length cell relay format (e. g., 48 byte ATM cell payload). See, e.g., D. Raychaudhuri and N. Wilson. WINLAB

Workshop Record, April, 1992, pp. 259-288, the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

2~.4~~
P10966.533 MN I/F 38 may be implemented by the use of a locsl controller or alternatively by a signalling connection (e. c., ISDN). In such a case, each base station will be provided with its cwn autonomous DCA (Dynamic Channel Assignmen-) process, and will employ eTUasi-fixed control channels se than each handset may only transmit on certain channels withi::

which interference to incumbent radio microwave systams wi=1 be avoided. Handoffs among MN base staticns would involve t=a w local controller of a cluster of MN base stations, if sc e~:icced.

In an alternative example type of MN 12, M~1 12 includes a PCN which does not provide inter-cell handoff, but provides intra-cell handoff and is programmed to utilize only certc'_:.

microwave channels. The base stations of such systems a=a operated by various service providers, and would not be recruited to communica to with one another. All spec ty-t:m staring system compatible base stations would, hcweve~, receive the available channels list, which is output by information processor 36 of the allocation control system 30.

, Fig. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of allocaticn control system 30. Essentially, the signal level monitor 32, SDB 34, and information processor 36 of Fig. 1 are implemented by the combination of signal level monitor 32, SDB 34, controller 42, and available channels determination system 28, which are depicted in Fig. 3. Referring to the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of signal lever monitoring antennas (ShMA's) 24 are connected to a signal conditioner 44, which is in turn connected to a spectrum analyzer 45. A controller 42 is provided which controls various devices during the operation of available channels determination system 28: Controller 42 also facilitates transfer of data and information to and/or from mobile network 12 .

P10966.533 Deter.-.iination system 28 is coupled or connected directly to an output of spectrun analyzer 45 , and to a control line of controller 42. Determination system 28 includes a Signal Level Measurements module (SLM) 48, an Intermodulation Distortion Analysis module (IDA) 52, a Space Diversity Combiner mcdule (SDC) 54, a Microwave Transmitter Locations module (M'1'L) 56, a Receiver Frecuency Availability module (RFA) 58, a Transmitter Frecruency Availability module (TFA) _= 60, and a Channels List Conditioning module (CLC) 62, all cf which are connected in cascade f=cm spectrum analyzer 45 controller 42. Each of System Data Base (SDB) 34 and storage 46 is connected to each and every one of the informaticn modules 48, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62. A calibration data file 50 is coupled to Signal Level Measurements module (SLM) 48.
The various modules of AMC determination system 28 utilize in=crmation obtained from signal level monitor 32 and SDB 34 in order to perform varicus processing functions in the process of deriving an Available Microwave Channels List (AMCL) .
Signal conditioner 44 may comprise one or more of low noise RF amplifiers, fixed and variable electrically or electronically controlled attenuators, directional couplers (for system calibration), RF band pass and notch filters, and multiple-positioned RF switches (to allow selection of the desired antennas). Spectrum analyzer 45 is provided with the necessary structure to perform time-gated spectrum analysis.
By way of example, spectrum analyzer 45 may be implemented by a commercially available spectrum analyzer provided by Hewlett Packard, HP8594A, an RF spectrum analyzer, 9 kHz to 2.9 GHz, which is described in a technical document by Hewlett Packard (November 1, 1990), HP Publication No. 5952-2757, the content of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

yP10966.S33 Signal conditioner 44 may employ one or more techniques for achieving a high dynamic range, such as distortion cancellation and active devices which have particularly low noise characteristics. In addition, e.g., one or mere junctions or communications paths (e.g. , an optical fiber link which may be placed between an SLMA 24 and an input of signal conditioner 44) which carry signals from SIu'rSA's 24 and spectrum analyzer 45 may be provided with a dynamic range :- enhancing system such as is disclosed in copending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Serial No. 07/704,114, filed on May 22, 1991, the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Antennas 24, which are utilized by signal level monitor 32, as shown in Fig. 3, may include either omni-directional or directional antennas, depending upon the application.

Signal level monitor 32, as noted above, produces information which will form one of two sets of information which will be utilized by the modules of AMC determination system 28. The other component of AMC dete~aination system 28, which produces the second needed set of information, comprises SDB 34. SDB 34 includes four categories of information. Category 1 includes information related to information supplied to the Federal Communications Commission.

Such information may include, e.g:

(a) the names of companies having certain microwave communications systems:

(b) at what frequencies such communications systems transmit and receive signals:

(c) the location of such systems:

(d) the type of equipment used in such systems (e. g., antennas, etc.);

(e) pertinent parameters regarding the above-noted factors; and P10966.533 (f) additional information such as the name of the ecruipment manufacturer, the FCC file number, the FCC cal.
sign, and other information of this type.
Table 1, appended hereto, includes a list of examples c ., Category 1 data which can be found in SDB 34. Category 1 may be provided by a third party which maintains a database based upcn information cbtained f r om the FCC and anv other ava i 1 ab 1 a i nfcrnation. The th'_rc party may include, fcr example, an := organization which is ir.vclved ir. frequency coordination fcr l0 radio system licensees (e.g., Cemszarch), which maintains its own database, updated periodically from FCC license applications and data. Such information may optionally be downloaded to SDB 34, e.g., via a telephone network by using a data modem.
1:, The second category of inforaation, which is included in SDB 34, includes information derived from the information i.~.
Category 1. The information of Category 2, however, is more specific in that it lists pertinent specifications related to incumbent radio system sites of interest. A listing ef 20 representative information from Category 2 is shown in Table 2 (appended hereto). It is noted that Side 1 and Side 2 represent, respectively, the numbers of the respective sites in a point-to-point incumbent radio communications system. It is noted that when a frequency is given for a particular side 25 (.i. e. , a site) , that frequency is indicative of a transmit frequency for that site, rather than the receiver frequency, since the FCC is more concerned with the transmit frequency of a particular site. Occasionally, a one-way path will be included in the FCC list (Category 1) information, and thus 30 corresponding information will be listed in Category 2;
however, blank information will be provided for the transmitter information in Category 2.

N v ~J : v i ,: ~.
_10966.53 The ~nfor::~aticn of Categcr~ 2 may be entered manuai'_y, ar.d is preferably direc~l~r appended ~c the data fila in which Category 1 has been placed. A one-way path will be typically no ted in Category 1 , with the variabl es EQPM.~NN bei r:g "receive", EQPMODN being "only", and FCC ~QPCODN beir.c ~~c4c999." The variable DOw'ERN will typical 1y be "0.0", a..~.d t'.~.e tr ansm i t f r ecuency wi 1 1 be " " ( b 1 ank) .

Category 3 includes infermaticn which is characteristic = c. signal level monitor 32 and :~N 12. a listinc c.

recresentative ir.formaticn from Ca~2ccr-~ 3 is shown i.~. Tab~.e (appended hereto). Such inferaation may include, for the lecatien of a microcell cluster example the , , c::aracteristics of MN 12 (a.g., interference thresholds, users per microwave channe 1 , average power per terminal transmi tier, 1:. e~c. ) , the direction toward which signal level monitor antennas 2. are oriented, and other information peYinent to the status of various modules of dete~-minaticn system 20.

Referring to Fig. 3, SL:'~ 48 processes (using a calibration data file 50) the spectrum analyzer data which is available as a result of the measurements performed by signal level monitor 32. SLM 48 provides a separate set of processed data for each Signal Level Monitoring Antenna (SL.'~A) 24, each set including corrected signal level values which indicate the actual signal level as received at the terminal of signal monitoring antenna 24. SL.'~! 48 detects whether any oveny high signal levels are present, and, in addition checks for equipment-generated noise bursts. If either high signal levels or equipment-generated noise bursts occsr, signal level monitor 32 will be requested to re-measure all of the frequency spectrum of interest (or a portion thereof) which was corrupted. If the signals are overly high, an adjustment can be made to an attenuator or other signal level changing device in signal conditioner 44 to eliminate overloading of P10966.533 ~ ~' ~' '~' ',~
;~ ~i c..~ !.~ _r the system. It is noted that noise bursts may be readily identified by their temporary nature, as compared with the usual constant nature of the incumbent system radio signals.

Inter-_:.odulation Distortion Analysis module (IDa) further processes the corrected SL.''~ data to remove system generated intermodulation distortion effects before the information is utilized by other modules. IDA 52 analyzes the amplitude and frecuency of signals which are stronger than a threshold value (e.g. -50 dBm) within the frequency band c.

interest. ?redicted intermedulation signal data is subtractec from SLM output data in order to improve the quality ar.d reliability of the measured data.

Space Diversity Combines module (SDC) 54 determines the highest received signal level for each set of antennas having a particular polarization type at each location. Thus, for antennas having a horizontal polarization at a particular location, the highest received signal level among these antennas is determined. Similarly, among the vertically polarized SL.'~iA's at each location, the highest received signal level is determined and stored.

Microwave Transmitter Location module (MTL) 56 associates the locations of the incumbent microwave system sites which correspond to each signal represented in the data file produced by SDC 54.

Receiver Frequency Availability module (RFA) 58 takes the information produced by MTL 56 (which is assumed to be indicative of those duplex microwave link sites and microwave channels which likely have the least amount of RF isolation from the microwave cluster of interest), accesses SDB 34 to determine those duplex receivers which are particularly susceptible to interference (due to low isolation), and determines which duplex microwave channels should not appear a~~vt~;~~~
a1C96o.533 in the list of available channels because ef the potential for FC~I-to-microwave interference.

Trans:aitter Frequency Availability module (TFA) 60 subsequently accesses SDB 34 to determine which additional microwave channels sheu'_d not appear in the list ef available channels due to a high potential for microwave-to-PC~I

interference.

Channels List Conditioning mcdula (CLC) 62 deter:air.e_=

whether a microcell cluster is located within anv cne-~,~a~:

1 0 receiver eYClusicn gene, and if so, carat c::annel s s:~cu 1 d be eYCluded frcm the available channels list (ACL) which is output by information processor 36 (Fig. 1) . In doing so, CLC

62 produces a Measured Available Channels List (MACL) which reflects c~.anges to the ACL based solely cm t:~e measurew:eats t~erforned. CLC 62 will refer to a microwave channel history fil a (MCHF) to deter.;~ine whether one or mere channel s 1 is~e~

in the M.ACL shoo 1 d be ignored, until such ti :ae as tey <=r verified to be accurate. Each MACL is stored in the MCHF, so that current M_~CL's can be combared tc previous MACL's stored 2 0 in the MC::F in or der to yeti fy the accuracy o f the cur r en MALL. Ar:v verified changes to the ACL will be added to or subtracted from the ACL.

The MCHF, which is contained in a fourth category of SDB

34, is utilized by CLC 62 to get a historical perspective or.

recent and past MACL's. As noted above, CLC 62 determines the conditions under which it would be desirable to suppress any recent changes indicated by MALL. One possible scenario under which it would desirable to suppress a change to the channel list is when a microwave transmitter is turned off suddenly for maintenance. If the FCC license and path status in MSDB

34 indicates that a transmitter associated with a certain available channel change is still in service, it is likely that there has been a transmitter failure or that it has P10966.533 merely been taken dcwn for maintenance. In this case, the co-located receiver may still be properly operating.

Accordingly, the frecuency corresponding to the co-located receiver wculd clearW not be available.

S CLC 62 may be configured to provide a list of pairs c~

available channel segments having various widths, wit~

segment-to-segment spacings (i.e., transmitjreceive cf~set_=) ra::ging from, e.g., 40 to 120 MHz. The segment-to-segmer:t spacings may be entered into controller 42, e.g., manually by a system cperator. Bv providing pairs of available charnel segments, an Ms1 12, which employs FDD uplink and downlink protocols, can be utilized, by, e.g., assigning a first frecruency from the pair to the uplink and the second-freuuency tc the dow-nl ink.

As a point of reference, in explaining the operation cf the varicus modules which comprise channel determination system 28 and controller 42, Fig. 14 is provided whic~

illustrates a point-to-point incumbent radio system duplex link 80. A path 82 is formed between two incumbent radic station sites, SIDE1 and SIDE2. At a first site (SIDE1) , link 80 includes a receiver RI, a co-located transmitter T1, and a transmit/receive antenna A1. At a second site (SIDE2), lirk 80 includes a receiver R2, a co-located transmitter T2, and a transmit/receive antenna A2.

Referring to the two-way link 80 shown in Fig. 14, a one-way link could comprise, e.g., first site SIDE1 having only a transmitter T1, and second site SIDE2 having only a receiver R2, the transmitter T1 and receiver R2 being connected to antennas A1 and A2, respectively.

The operation of the various modules which comprise channel determination system 28 and controller 42 will now be described in further detail with reference to the flow charts depicted in Figs. 4-I1.

/ i d,7 i~J fv!
P1C°66.~3~
Fig. .~ illustrates the functional operation of contrciler 42. In step S2, controller 42 awaits rout, sucz as instructicr:s for soect~sm analyzer 45 to measure ceYain pc~ions of the frec,~ency saectr,~ of interest (i.e., a acr~ion of the spectrum occupied by incumbent microwave systems near mobile communications network 12). Ir: step Sue, a determination is made as to whether a set rericc of tine (such as t~rentv-four hours) has passed, and it __ time ....

- measure. ~_ it is r.ct time to measure, contrcll=_r 42 w_1_ _ oceed to step S , anc a determination i s mace as t.. whet :'_ measureme~t instructions have been received. If no suc~

iratructions have been received, controller 42 returns to step S3, and again checks whether a preset period c-. time has passed ( i.. s top S 3 ) and whether explicit ins truc Lions have been input to controller 42 (in step S5) , thus indicating that signal level monitor 32 (Fig. 3) should commence measuring.

Once con tr of l or 4 2 is instructed to commence measur e:~e.~.
t , in step S4, controller 42 will modify the available char.r.e_s list and send the modified available channel list to mobi=a network 12, so that t:~_e channels which are measured by sig:.al level monitor 32 will rot interfere with the charnels be~.~:c utilized by mobile network (MN) 12.

In step S7, controller 42 instructs the appropriate devices to measure signals within a plurality of defined frequency bands which fall within the channels which are remaining (i.e., not being utilized by MN 1'Z). Subsequent?y, at step S3, controller 42 will store the measured signal levels in storage 46 (Fig. 3). In step S9, Signal Level Measurement module (SLM) 48 will be activated in accordance with the flow depicted in Fig. 5. Subsequently, at step S10, controller 42 will determine whether the measurement is complete. For example, SLM 48 may give a signal that the measurement is not comrlete, due to some error in the signals .) ~j ~~ 1.r sJ ..
P10966.533 received, or another modified ACL may be needed so that the spectrsm analyzer may measure the rest of the frecuencv~ band cy interest.

I the :measurement is net complete, as determined at stet 510, controller 42 will return to step S4. ~= the measurement is determined at step S10 to be complete, the actual available channels list, under which mobile network 12 operated be~c~e ex~cu tion of step S4 , will be r es toted i_~. s to p S 1 ~ .

- Secuentially thereafter, in steps 5.2, 513, 514, 515, S16, a::c l0 S=;', each of rescective modules ID=. 52, SDC 54, :~';'L _c, Fc_.'-_ 50, TFA 60, and CLC 62, will be executed, before the process returns to step S3 to await another instruction to measure.

The operation of SLM 48 is deticted in the -flew oh a. t s:.cwn in Fic. 5. r_t a first step S18, a determination is mach as to whether an excessively high signal level (which is above a oredeter:mined threshold value) has been detected by spectr~,:.~..

analyzer ~= ( Fig. 3 ) . If an~~ excessively hick levels t'lcVe been measured as determined in step S18, SLM 48 will return t t?~e controller processing depicted in Fig. 4, and proceed to step S6 as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, one or more correspond=ng attenuators or other signal level changing devices (not shown) in signal conditioner 44 (Fig. 3} will be adjusted, at step S6, to reduce the potential for spurious responses, maximize the overall dynamic range of the spectr,:m analyzer, and increase measurement accuracy. Referring bac:c to Fig. 5, if no excessively high signal levels are measured, ir. step S1~, a determination is made as to whether any signal noise bursts exist. If a noise burst exists, SLM 48 proceeds to step S22, and a corresponding portion of the spectrum will be re-measured. In step S23, the signal level data will be updated in accordance with the re-measurement. In step S20, subsequent to ensuring (in steps S18 and S19) that all measurement data is not corrupted, multiple sets of signal ~~~~;~~:~a DlG9bo.S33 level data points (..e., signal level values), each set corresponding to a d~.screte frequency range, will each be averaged over ti_"e. The resulting averaged signal level values wi'_1 be intecrated over predetermined ranges of _; equency ( such as over the entire inc,:mbent radio charnel , eliminate the concern over the signal pewee spectral densit~r of the incumbent radio signals). In this regard, it is noted that the data poir:ts r,ay be processed in accordance with cr.e - or more k,~cw-n signal processing technic_ues. By way ef a rcn-,0 _im_t_nc ex~m~ e, _.
a ~1 ~ r order ~o ccmpe.~.sate for wea:c sigr.a_ reception by tee~ S:ju.~'s, signal processing technique=

disclosed in one or more of the following references may be i:.iplemented: Hedges, S.r~. , "Triple-Channel Ir.terferomete=

Radio Direction inder Minimizes Error-Source effects"

Mi crowave Systems News, May, 1984, pp. 94-97, and Drentea, C.
, "New trends in communication technologies: radio astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence," Ham Radlc, March, 198, pp. 1G-~_. Because of its random nature noise , does not add coherently or consistently from measurement ,.., measurement as a transmitted signal does. For example, :y sampling each received signal ten times and then applyin5 averaging, the effective noise power can possibly be reduced by a factor of 10 dB.

In step S21, the measured data is corrected using a calibration data file 50 (Fig. 3), and stored. It is noted that for each signal level monitoring antenna (SLMA) 24 (Fig.

3) of signal level monitor 32, a data file is provided which includes a plurality of signal Level values corresponding to signals contained within respective frequency bands of measurement. SLM 48, at step 521, uses calibration data files 50 (Fig. 3) to-correct the signal level values measured and outputted by the spectrum analyzer to obtain signal level values which accurately represent the signals received by each 4"~ y i~ ~ :~ :~ I
hJJ r~. v.f ~/ f V id t~lCiG6o.533 o f the antennas ( S i..u.A' s 2 4 ) ( as seen by each of t:~e antennas ) .

Thus, any errors or chances which may occsr cue ", losses or gains in the path w:~ich e:ctends between the receiving antenna a..~.d the cutput of the specty~~ anal yzer are ccr=ected fcr .

Cal ibraticn data files 50 (Fig. 3) may include, e.g., a set cf ccrrec~ic,~, factors (eac:~ factor correspondinc to a specified freauency) for each data file which ccrrespcnds to a sped=iec ST:~~, and ~av, for example, include ccnstan~s which s::cul d :,e added or s~,~btr ac ted t:. rescec t_ve s ignal values cu tpu ~ f r om the s~ectr ~~t anal ~~ ~er .

Subseowent to executicn cf the measurement correc~~.r.c sec 521, and storage of the data obtained thereby, SLi~ ~c returns to controller 42. -The eDeraticr: of =nter:~odulation Distortion A.~.alv~si_=

module (IDA) 52 is depicted in Fig. 6. IDA 52 further processes and corrects the data produced by SLM ~3 to remove s~ s tom goner a ted f n 'e~odu? a tier, dis torsion of f ec ~s bef.~.re th a measurement data is utilized by other system mogul es. In s;.ec 524, IDA 52 specifies a designated SI:r.''~.A which corresponds to 2o a set of signals to be analy2ed and corrected by IDA 52. I::

step 525, a determination is made, for the designated SI:M.A, of whether any signals for that antenna are greater than a predetermined threshold value (e. g., -50 dBm) for each data point within the total frequency band of interest (e. g., 1.85 to 2.2 GH2) over which the spectrum analyzer has produced signal level values.

Subsec_uently, in step S26, IDA 52 calculates (i.e., predicts) the amplitudes and frequencies of two-tone and three-tone third order and fifth order intermodulation products which would result from such high-level signals as determined in step S25. This calculation is performed assuming third-order and fifth-order behavior and taking into account the overall receiver third-order and fifth-order input ,~ ~ ~. n o ..~
9 6 6 . S 3 3 .,~ J ~ ~ ,: ; :,.
intercepts. In this regard, reference is made to HEITER, G. L. , "Characterization of Nonlinearities in Microwave Devices and Systems," IEEE Transactions en Microwave Theor~r and Techniques, Vol. MTT-21, no. 12, December, 1972, pp. 797-805, 5 the content of whic:~ is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In step 527, the predicted intermodulation signal data is then subtracted from the stored cer r ected measurement data produced by SLu'ri 48 ( F ig. 5 ) i :.

= order to further improve the quality and reliability of the 10 spectrum analyzer measurement data.

In step 528, a determination is made as to whether to data has been analyzed for all Si~MA's. If such is the case, in step S29, the resulting data is stored in appropriate data files, and IDA 52 returns to controller 42 (Fig. 4). In the alternative, if it is determined in step S28 that the data for all SLMA's has not yet been analyzed, IDA 52 will return to step S24 where data which corresponds to a next SLM.A will be designated for analysis. It is noted that if at step S2 there are no signals which are greater than the given threshold value, IDA 52 will skip steps S26 and S27. The data produced by IDA 52 may be separately stored in a manually selected data storage device so that, e.g., a written report may be generated for later analysis.

The operation of Space Diversity Combiner module (SDC) 54 is depicted in the flow chart shown in Fig. 7. SDC module 54 determines the highest received signal level at each SLMA

lccation for each of a plurality of SLMAs at that location having the same polarization. Thus, if horizontal and vertical polarization SLMAs are provided, for each location, two values will be recorded for each frequency increment: a horizontal polarization signal level value, and a vertical polarization signal level value. For SLMA locations 1, 2,...

N, a set of highest received signal levels for the L /w 6' w, ~ ' ~10~66.533 hcrizonta'_ly polarized Si,~'ZAs will include Fil , ~:2, . . .
::N.

Similarly, a set of highest received signal levels for the vertical 1v pclarized SI:~"~.As will include V1, V1, . . . '~~.
I_~. tie event scac' diversity is nct employed at any SL.~a lecat~.c::, S i.e., only one antenna is provided per polar=zaticn Wrpe, SLC

54 will cutout a single available signal val~,:e fcr e~c antenna pclarizaticn type.

T_t __= ncted that the notaticn 1, '<,, ... N s::cu__ ccrresoend to SI:M~ azimuths listed in cateQO~; number 3 c. 52 34 (see Tale 3, apper:ded hereto) , as AZ1 , AZ2, . . . AZ:~, whi..._ represent t he azimuth value (with respect tc North) cf t::e directicn at which each antenna 1, 2, ... N, respectively is positioned. Accordingly, for directional antennas (or omnidirect_enal antennas which are configured cr positicned 1S near ar: cbJect which gives them a "directional" effect; e.g., an omnidirectionai antenna may be mounted on the per~prer- cf a boil dir.c; , an ir:d_cation is given by the signal s received ~_ each of t:.' antennas as to the direction from which received signals a=a originating. If only one SI~~A locat;on ~.__ employed, the value of AZ1 shall be entered as "360".

Refer=ing to Fig. 7, in step S30, an index n is set tc be 1; n is representative of the number of an SI:~~IA lccaticr_ associated with the data to be analyzed and processed by SAC

54. At step S31, the signal level data is compared for eac::

STM_A at lccation "n" with the same polarization to determine the highest signal level value. At step S32, for each:

polarization: at lccation "n", the highest signal level value corresponding to each frequency is stored. The highest signal level values corresponding to the SLMA's at locaticn "n"

having a horizontal polarization will be stored in a temporary file Hn. The highest signal level values corresponding to the SLM.As at location "n" having vertical polarization will be stored in a temporary file Vn.

n r'1 c~
J~~~bO.S._i~
At st'o S33, a ceterminatior. is made as to wrether n is e~:al to the maximum number of lecati ons tcl be anal yze~. and processed by SDC ~. Tf so, SDC :nodule 54 will be returned to con trel l er =2 (a ic. "--) . However , __- fur .her 1 ecations are t..
be processed, SDC . will increment r. at step S~-~, and ret-cr~:
_.
'- step S
The cceraticn of Microwave Transmitter Tocatiens mccule ('~TL) So is shown i_~. . vcs. 8A-3E. M''L 56 determines (see Stet S3J) the 1 ikely locations of nearby receivers anc; er microwave _., transmittars associated with 'each signal level which has been stored by SDC J4 (in tempcra~~-y data files H1, H2, etc., anc temporary data files 4~, V2, etc.), which coreespends to a received level at the Siy'~A which is greater than ~ threshold amplitude value M';'T=._ (e.g., - 113 dBm) specified in a given 1 J smal l bandwidth (e.g. , 5 I~?z) . At step 536, upon de termini rc that the ampl nude is cove t~:e MTLA threshold, the frequencw and amplitude of eac~: data point is stored in temporary data file A, al cng with a notation of whether the data was based on horizontal or vertical polarization measurements, and wit:_ 20 which SL:~'~=~ 1 ocatio:: the data poi~.t was associated. Thus, steps S35 and S36 will be repeated, until it is determined at step S~6.1 that data corresponding to all fretruencies, locations, and polarizations has been analyzed.
Steps S37-S40 are performed for each data point which has 25 been stored in temporary data file A and for each and every point-to-point transmission path (of the incumbent radio system) 1 fisted in SDB 34 (. fig. 3) . In step S3 7 , a determination is made as to whether the frequency of a particular data point falls within a frequency channel of a 30 transmitter from either side of a particular transmission path listed in system data base (SDB) 34 (based on the values FREQN
and CH-BW). If the data point does fall within the channel, a further determination is made at step S33 as to whether the r i ~
SJ fJ (y1 P10966.533 SL.'~iA location (which corresponds to the position of a microcell cluster) is within the long section of the "keyhole"

corresponding to that side of the incumbent radio transmission path. If it does fall within the keyhole, the process will skip S39 and proceed to step 540. If the SLI~.A location is not within the long section of the keyhole, a further determination is made at step S39 as to whether the SL.'~~

location is withi.~. MTLD miles of the microwave side : _ (indicatinc that the SLI~iA location is within the core porticr:

of the keyhole, to be further described below} . If from seeps S38 and 539, MTL 56 determines that the SL:M..A location is within the keyhole of the radio site of interest, which suggests that the RF isolation between the SLl~IA location the site is bel ow a cer rain amount, the appropri ate path and ST.u~

data are stored ir, temporary data file B at step 540.

With respect to step S38, the determination of whether the particul or SLMA l ecation is withi n the long section of the "keyhole" is made by calculating DIST, AZDF, and AZIMUTFN.

DIST represents the distance in miles from a microcell cluster (near which the SL~'~.A's are located) to a co-channel incumbent transmitter site. The distance DIST, from the microcell cluster to the co-channel transmitter site (associated with a particular path/side of interest), can be calculated with the values LATN, LONN, CLUS_LON, and CLUS LAT which are provided in the microwave system database. AZDF represents the absolute value of the difference between (1) the azimuth (in degrees) from the incumbent transmitter site to the microcell cluster (i.e., the location of the SLMAs) and (2) AZIMUTF~i (which represents the azimuth (in degrees) from the transmitter to the distant end of the duplex (point-to-point) incumbent radio link. With respect to the above-noted calculation of DIST and AZDF, reference is made to HART, T.M., "Great Circle Computations Using Lotus 1-2-3," I~am Radio, nA ~~
~/ ~ ~.~ 'J
_i0966.5~3 September, 1988, pp. 31 and 32, the content of which is e:~ ressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

AZDF is used to determine l' a particular microcell cluster falls within the lcng portion of a keyhole (see F;c.

S 1~) of a particular inc.imbent site. A determination c_~_ whether t~e microcell cluster falls within a keyhole is cerfermed as foilews: DIST is calculated to ensure t=.at the distance be tween t he ml cr ocell clus ter and the f ixec :~icr owave - sv~te of interest is less than a threshcld value MTLB (e.g.
, ~0 C :.~~ l es) , and A2DF is cal c::'_a~~ed to deter:aine whether or r.c~ _~

is less than a thres:,ol d value MTL C (e.g. , 10 ) . I t~:ese conditicns are met, the microcell cluster is within the "lonc section" of the keyhole. For these incumbent Wadio paths where this first condition is not met, it is necessary tc 1:. determine whether the microcell cluster is within the small ack section ("core portion") of the keyhole. The micrecel_ cluster is within the core portion c. the keyhole, if DIS~ ;

less than a smaller distance threshold value MTLD (e.g., ..

mil es in anv direction) .

20 If it is dete=-mined that the incumbent radio path is within the keyhole, in either of steps S38 and S39, MTL ~6 will proceed to step S40 where the path and corresponding monitoring antenna data are stored in temporary data file B.

This analysis is performed for each path data file until all 2 path data files have been evaluated. When all such path data files have been evaluated as determined at step 5.~1, the process performed by MTL 56 will proceed to step S42 (in Fig.

as) .

Referring now to Fig. 8B, in step S42, the data which is 30 in temporary data file B is collated so that data for each side of each incumbent radio path appears together. In other words, far data points meeting the criteria associated with steps S38 and S39, and having signal levels above a certain ~109b6.SJJ ' i'd .1~,. ~ ~.I~ 7 w f a~
amplitude as determined in step S35, the dais points are s~.ored alcr.g with the corresponding SDB 34 fil a name fcr thaw path ale~~c with the associated side nu~er, the lower frecuercv a~d of the microwave channel, the up;,er frecr,:e~c-:
end of the microwave c'.~.annel, the path polarization (which .s appended to F ~.QN ir. the SDB 34 ) , the associated SL'~A l ocatic::

nu.;cber ( 1 , 2 , 3 , . . . N) , and an indication of whether t:ze pa was ide::t'_ied based or. horizontal, ver ~ical or bc-_ - pClari Za~~C:~ meaSUrement5. In step 543, all Of t'.~:iS data w;.1-he t~laced __. a r.ew fil a Temporary Data F_le C.

Fac~ s'_de of each path will be checked to see __ it __ still i~ service as indicated by the appropriate category __.

SDB 34. I~ any such path/side is found to be net. in service, i:: step 5.~5, it will be deleted from temporar-~ data file C.

5 This dete~inatior. ( s top S44 ) will be repeated un til eac:2 ad every pat:~/side is evaluated. In step S46, a calcslation i_=

made for each path/side -which remains listed i=, temDCrarv dat' file C. For each such path/side the corresperding data f_';' e.g., fil, ::~, ..., and V1, V2, ..., will be evaluated determine t'.~.e total power within a par~~.icular microwave channel bandwidth. accordingly, power values P (SIN) associated with val ues FiN will be determined, and values P (VN) associates with values VN will be determined. Thereafter in steps S

, and S4E, the total channel horizontal and vertical power values P(n.''~) and P(VN) for each SLMA location (1, 2, ...N) and for each path/side I fisted in temporary data fil a C will be stored along with an associated path/side number the , associated ShM.A location number, the path polarization, the lower frequency end of each microwave channel and the upper frequency end of the microwave channel in "temporary data file D." It is noted that the value of the path polarization will be referred to as POLN which is listed in category I of the microwave system data base 34.

v ,'':, ~ .3 .4. ~e tJ
P10966.S33 At steps S49 and S50, determinations are made as tc whether all locaticns and associated polarizations have been evaluated, and whether all path/sides have been evaluated, respectively. If all processing has been completed, as determined at steps S49-550, MTL 56 will continue to step S

which is illustrated in F1.Q. 8C.

Referring to Fig. 8C, far each path/side which will be incremented at step S51, a number of steps will be performed (among steps S52-S58) which are depicted in Fig. 8C.

function is evaluated based on the total per-charnel horizontal and ver ti cal power values P (H.'~) and P (VN) for eac h SLMA location. If the co-polarized signal power value is less than the cross-polarized signal power value minus a threshold value MTLE (e.g. , 6dB) (i.e. , Pro < P~ross - MTLE) the process will skip to the next path/side. If the co-polarized signal power value is the same or greater than the total of M'T~L

minus the doss-polarized signal power value, a comparison will be made to determine which of the co-polar ized signal power values P~o are the strongest.

The above-described processing is performed by the flew depicted in Fig. 8C. At step S52, a determination is made as to whether the polarization POLN is horizontal or vertical.

If the polarization is horizontal, the process will proceed to step 553. The next location will evaluated at step 554, where a determination is made as to whether or not the horizontal polarization total power is greater than or equal to the vertical polarization total power minus the threshold value MTLE. If not, MTL 56 will proceed to step 557. If all locations have not been evaluated, step S53 will be repeated;

if all locations have been evaluated, MTL 56 will proceed to step 558.

If P(HN) i.e., the total power associated with a particular horizontal polarization (at location N) is greater 2~~~ d ?,po~e.S~3 t::ari Or eC'ual t0 t he tCtal Cf tile verv.1C31 DO1 a'_"1:3~~Cn tCtal DCWer IIlln'.:S :''!"'~, all the ~v~(CC-~Olar~ZE.'C pCwer) Val :leS
Cr eater than a t::~°_5.'10 1 (". amount I~';'LF above the l ewest Value ycc wil l Le saved _., a data file DX (sep step S55) . ~.. st .. So, others tierLinen~ values, such as the AZ:1 values, co_ r esacrdi=~g t~ t'.~.e ~ocaticrs of the hicher P va 1 ues , the '.~,a~.::~SiCe nl,:.~Der, ~..ne pat:l ~~ Clar'..e.atiC~, ~:~e L:_C ner C,~r-pclarizec signal pcwer values, tre asseciatd 5:~~=_ lccat_.._.
- ~1~,:~lbers, the fewer ~=scuency end of t he irc~,imbent c::annel and _he upper ~re~,lencend of the inca:r-lbent c'.~.an:.e'_, wil. ~e stared in temoerarm data file DX. It is ncted than MTT_c can be, e.g., lOd3.
Si~ai_ar processing is performed, i_ she pclar'_zatien is determines at step S52 to be vertical. Since the crccessi::o 15 is identical Lc the processing depicted in seeps S=~-558, the S~e~S COrreSVOIIGInC t::eret0 have nOt been S::C'.v'I1 In F1C. oC.
AS ShOWr~. ~n . , oD, prOC2SS.L:lg Steps So; a:':d So2 ar_ performed for each charnel listed in tempor?r_,r data file D='_ (in accordance with the index "c" defined in stet 559, where 20 c equals a number cf channels) , and far each locaticn ( i.~.
accordance with the index "1" defined in next step 560, where 1 equals a nunber of locations), as indicated by the operaticn of steps 559, 560, and S64-S67 collectively. Steps S64-S6~
are conventional processing step , and are thus not describe 25 i.~. detail herein.
In s tep S 61, the AZ~d values in temporary da to f l l a DX are eval uated. A deter:,iination is made as to which of the AZ:z values satisfy the relation (indicated in step S61) of ~AZN;~-(azimuth from SL~~iA to site) ~ _< MTLG (a threshold angular value 30 (e. g., 60°)). The azimuth value is calculated by utilizing the values of LATH, LONN, CLUS LON, and CLUS LAT which are in SDB 34 associated with the path/side of interest. In thi s regard, reference is again made to the above-noted article by L3 .~ 1~ ;!A a f.; ~,.
a F~ .l. v%
__0°oo.S~~
~a~T, T. :~., paces J1-~~. ~' the above-states relaticn is trse, as cetermined at step Soi, the path/side rur er, the oat:: pclarizat;on, the cc-polarized signal power val;:e P
, t::e '~

asscciatec S:j'~.~ 1 ccaticn , t: a lcwer end fr 'ruenc~: cf th a _ ~:':annei ar.c ~,. he a~per end frecuencv of the chdnr.e~_ are a'_.

St.~.red In t2T.itpCra'"-I Cat3 _~le DY (See Step S6' 1._~. _ , SD) .

~.~. v.a52 a.'_~ iS Wbl7'~ ~'.i':'u5 lElplylng that C:1'_'_! C..':c a.~.t~.T:':' haS been L52d ~~vr ~-1e 5~.~'!a) ~Or a par ~lC:l.La; pat =!S~C2 .._ ~.':tereSt, t~e path,; S~de nl:mber W1';_ be Stored al Cr.g With t.._ _.. path polarization a:.c the _=trancest signal pcwer -.-clue W;~ic.

was contained fer that path/side i~: tempora~r data file D:~.

yd~_tiona~~v the owe_ e_.d eque..cy o~
''' ~ ' ~ 1 Y n fr ~ ' the inc~.~~~
be ~
t radi c , , .
.

c~:ar.nel ant t he upper end frecuer:cy of the incu...bent radi ..hannel Will be stored in tem~orar-~ data file D~'.

15 In step S63, for each path;side, the strongest co-pcl arizec total power val ue P will be l der.t~,~iec a::d aooronriatelv marked in data ~~.le DY.

Referrinc to gig. 3~, subsec~.:ent to exec~~i.,.. c. s~e~

So'3, stets So'S.1 through So3 will be perfc~ed for eat:.

20 path/side of ~nt2rest ("s" being the number asscciated the pat h/side of interest) t a indexing being perfcrmed i ~. stets , _ So4.1 and So9 collectively. In step 565.1, far each path/side listed in temporary data file DY
and fcr eac~ ef the , strongest associated co-polarized signal power val ues P
frcm ~~

2 temporary data file DY, SDB 34 is accessed tc facilitate cal culaticn of a factor J ( ) , whi ch l s a functicn cf . ( ) LAT~~

, , LONN, AuIl~!UT~1, TX~GAINN, TX C~V, POWERN, CLUSEL_FT, CT~US_LON, CLUS_LAT, :'~'TLFi, MTLI and MTLJ. DIST and ASDF are cal culated based on the values LATN, LONN, CLUS-LON, and CLLTS LAT, as 30 well as based on the absolute value of the difference between the azimuth from the microwave transmitter to the microcell c1 aster ef interest and AZI:KUTHN, which is the azimuth iron the trans:,~itter tc the distant end of the duplex 1 i.~.k.

n., ~ ~ w 1J nd ,~' t-P10°oo.S~3 In dCdlt~Cn, a var:.a~le F.i,DF ZS dE.'f~:lL'd whlCh r2preS2ntS

T
t .e difference bet:~een TY Cu:J and C~DSEL FT, to t .us ~_:.d t~a ahsclute value in feet or the di fference cf height bet-~ee~, t'.~.e ~i-rcwave transmitter antenna and the mean ci~.a'ei ::eic~.

r 1u ~I:~?t.J of the a.~'.cve, J is calculated for ear:: oat::jsid' c~ interest as follo~.as:

- .OW'FRN - '~'_~_GriW:~ - ;~';'~? log D1ST _ ~"_'l,I 1 or D~DF - I~T~ log ( sin (AZDF;~ ) - F

_.. _==ap S66.1 , a 1 ist cf J's is stored, each ~ value G beinc s t..= ed along :~ i t2 eacW pa Ch/ s ice and c tZer pa.
am a t_r s associated riith ear:. pat: j side i:: temporary data ile J. __.

par-icular , at leas t the P ( ) value wi l 1 be s Cored _..~
a=c~

pa~Z/sice along wi t:~. the J () values.

in ste~ 567. 1 , al l t a J(s) 's which are great__ t. a.~. a 1 5 t. r eshcl d value MT.t; will be des igna ted and pu t in a ter.pcr sr-.

a 'w A The retainer path/side and asscc_ated J() a~~
da'~ ~___ _ . ..~

p!) values for ear:: microwave charnel shculr be st..rec 'ata fil a F. This fil a new contains a 1 s ti.~.g c~
t_~pOray,Y 4r t~.e locations whir:: are ~~est likely to be tra~~s~aitt'_ng ..'.~.e 20 r,.icrowave signals received at the associated microcell clu=te=

(at whir:. t'.:e SLMA locations which are utilized to conduct the measureme.~.ts are located) . The calculates J ( ) gves a~:

indication of the likelihood that a particular path/side has contributed significantly to the strength of a given sig::al 2J level value received by an SL.'ySA 24.

Steps S68 and S69 comprise the additional steps needed ~o per for:,: the necessay-y indexing so that the processing of steps S65.1 to 567.1 may be performed for each and every path/side of interest, as is customary in the art of programiaing. once 30 the processing is performed for every path/side of interest as detei-~nined as step S69, MTL 56 will return to Controller 42.

Upon acguiring the above-described information which is stored _:, temporary data file F, Receiver Frequency _~o~~~.s~
~.Va~.l abli~tV alOdul a ~RF~~ ~C W'wll be exeCUt2C, t:':e =lC:v ciacram cf W::ich is deoicte~ _:. F ic. 9. Once MTT .... ~as _Ce_~.t.lf=°_.~. GlhlC~ dull eX TICrCsiaV~°_ 1...~.~C Sltes and I111 C'CWa'Je cha::nel s 1 ikel v have the 1 east amcun t cf R~' isol a~;~c~ tG a 1 r ~ f ' 1 Wor r .err T~~'~ mCCUI o _ Ca= ~lCll~.d~ mICrCCe__ C~;~S~~... O~ lnt__25t, accesses the SDB 3:~ tG determi:~e whi c~ nearby duplex receivers d=°_ par ts....~lar~'T SuSCeOt_b~ a tC ~_.',_er~°_r e_~.Ce (due tC lC:~i _._ ;SC ~3tr.Cn~ , arid dete'_'.'.:l:leS Wf~~C~: d::~l eY Chanr:el S S.':Ci:l :
:"C t c;'rDe3r 1r: the list C~ aVal'~d~J' ~°_ Channels t0 ~e aSSiGned t.. .'' __ (F1C. ~) beCdllSc'' C:. t__~_e ~Cte:lt;.a~l ~C~ :'~N-tC-_~:C~~:.._._.~.
sVStem interference. Separate thresh clds for ana 1 og a.~.~
dicital receivers may be emnloved to meet the reouirements cf EI~/TIa Tel ecommunicatiens Systems Bull eti.~. - Interfere~.c' C; floc is ~::r Micr cwave Svs te~~,s in t~:e Pr ivate Radio Services -TS~ 10-" , :'lOVember 1A:~~, ar:G Other lnterferenCe COCrdl natlCr.
Criteria. It 1S nCted that beCauS2 Cf the potential _..._ adjacent-c~:annel interfere:~ce fre~ 1~N-to-incumhen~ svs~e:~, additi onal smectr.:m on either side of a r,icrcwave c::a_nr:e_ shculd al so be excluded frc:a t he avai l abl a channels list. =__ 20 module So wi 11 accordingly take these effects into acccu__~.t.
Cther factors taken into account by RFA module 58 include t~e path length (of the incu.'nbent fixed point-to-point radio system), the distant site transmitter power and an indication of whether or not the nearby lir_k receiver employs space 25 diversity.
For each path/side (as indexed at step S71) , in step S"2 , SDB 34 is accessed to detey-mine a Value of POWERALT which is ecrual to the value POWERN associated with an alternate side of the duplex Link of interest. For example, if the power of the 30 transmitter of SIDEl is POWER1, and the transmitter power of SIDE2 is POWER2, POWERALT of SIDE1 is equal to POWER2, and POw'ERALT for SIDE2 is ecrual to POWER1.
~5 ~_~~L ~~~P~~T) r:'_G95o.5~_ At s~eo S ~ 0, a _i' a G is ca=aced in wt,:ich a;_ of t~e r available per Lions c_ th a spectrum wi:ic are ~ss_b' _- pa_ ' .._ the avail abl a microwave channels l is;. for use v ~.'.e mobile co:n.-nunicaticns nenwer~ _~ wi 1 1 be o 1 aces'. Su;:se~.:e.~.tly _..
_ _ is per por ions of R~ ~o and TF i c~ , excludes or Lnavailable ccrticns o. this scecr~~:~ wild be deleted fyc::: . _'_e G. _..

seep 57~, a determination is :nude as to whether ~he receive=

associ aced with tie path/side per=o~=_ ei her anal cc or - digital demcdslat_cr., ~ hat is, ~he varia:.? a L.OrDING __ "a.~.alcg" c. "diCi ta~~" . :~ccor4~.ng1 w, dependinc c-: w:-:~~:~e=
th 1_T:Cu.i~lDerW.. radio svs~eT:, link is digi tal c_- analcc, a_=

determined at step S;3, the aoprcoriate precessi.~.c will be performed _ither by steps S76 and S','~ (for dici~a?) or steps S-y and SW (for analog). Stew S~4-S7- _nd_ca~e ~he 15 calculation of a value K() . Tf L0.'-.LING is dici~ai, K is sew '- = b a ow .
erual to K2, the determina~icn o_ which is described 1 _. LOAD_NG ;S analCC, .. .S S2L eCllSl t0 K~., t_~__ ..._~_::Wr:3~_....

cY which is described below.

In crdey to make t'.~.e determination of K(; , the foilowir.c 2C v'riables aye per~inert: P(), POwyRU, RX
G?_-N, TX G~.I~i~~, _ RX
C~N, DVG~INN, POWERALT, DIST MILES, L~,AD_NG, RYTiiN, CL~'~, T:~

_ _ RYINTANA, RXINTDIG, PCNLiSER, PCNTXPWR, RFC, RFaB, and RFC.

A variable ANTDF is utilized to reoreser.t the absolute value in feet of th a difference in heights for the incu.~bent 25 system transmitter antenna and the associated receiver antenna, which is ecruivalent to ~ TX_CL'~ - RX_CT N j .

K1 is calculated as follows:

K1 = 10 log PCNUSER + PCNTXPw'R + RY_G~I2d~Z -TX GaINN - FO~iERALT + 20 log DIST MILES -3 0 RYTHN - POWER.~1 + P + RYINTANA -[(RFAA) (DVGAINN)) + RFAB log ANTDF - RFhC.

K2 is calculated as follows:
a~

~,n t ti , ~ o~ ;~
_ ,rL~' ~C . J~.S
K2 - 0 log ?CNUSER - DC.dTY~w~ PX GAI'a.T -I~ GAINN - PCWER.?LT - 2C log D_S'~' MISS -KKTi-iN - aOivERI'~1 - ? - RYINTDIG -r(RF~a) (DVGriINN); - RFAB 'jog ANTDF - RF?.C.
A hick or positive K value signifies that t::e cicro:~av=
receiver _:aerference is 1 ikelv, and thus sicr.fies a lew DcF
isolation between t':e micrcce'~1 cluster of ,_n rarest and th a T'e?r.~.V i~XeG ~ " r reC i i'" 1 ~ i ~ ~
r~C~~,l~e..t ~ e_ver . t3CC :rd_.~C_V d deter_',1 nat_C..
i S :lade at Step S~ , as '.... Whether ,'O 15 pOSitiVc. _= SC, ~; __ .C 5 o pr oceeds ~.. s rep S'"9 -her a a det 'r:ai::a ~=c.~. is made as ....
the al ter_':ate _=eCL:e.~.C~: ~--=C~Qr''-~._:T~ iOr pat: %S~ :e «5n.
... RYu4v-_'~
Therea_ eY in step SaG, the ba~c:~ict correspondi.~.g to the al ternate frecuency of the recei-rer wr.ic~:
is associated wit:: a transmitter of interest is determined.
~ 5 according'~:~ , i n step S8~ , the bourds of the scect~,~.~. se~e-:~
to be excluded from to avail able mi crowave cha_~.r~els 1i st are Calcul ateC, anC t :e seyent ~s subtracted frC:u Gata '_-le G '_.:
step sae.
If K ;s 0 or necat_ve, the microwave recei-rer associated 20 '.J~~~'~'1 the DartlC':lar tranS:ltter Of that pat:'_~5;.~..e ~S
de termined to no t 1'_K21 v be inter f eyed wi th y ~h a near'";
microcell cluster. Accordingly, RFA 58 will proceed bac:c to step S72, should the number of path/sides not be at i maximum as determined at step S84 (subsequent to incrementing 2 5 s as s:~owr. i n s rep S 3 3 ) .
It is noted that FREQALT is the value of FR.rQN associated with the alternate side ef a particular path. Thus, temporary data fil a F refers to SIDEI far a par ticu 1 ar pat'_~., the value of FREQ 2 will be retrieved as FREQALT. If the data 30 in temporary data f ile F refer s to SIDE2 of a particu 1 ar path , the value of FREQ 1 will be retrieved as FREQALT.
It is noted that the bounds of the spectrum segment, which are calculated in step 581, may be calculated as follows:
.~ a 21~~~~~
~~~1C'f7o.s...
1 ow e..~.d c ~ se~:.,en r. = FREQ A LT - RYBw~l; 3 c..
end of segment = FRFQALT _ R.~Sw~' ,"

ns..,.~ ~ ~ . e~.e. cy Av ~_~
T~a -': -=r ~' , ~. ailabil~. acdu'_e ("_'F__) 6~

desisted _.. F ig. 1 0, and accesses SD5 ~ . to determine -~ ich _ additional c:~annels szculnet aroear _.. ~~:e svailable channels 1 ist because of a high pore.~.tial fc- ;_-.cu:~.e.~.~-Lc-~;

_~ teryere.~.ce (due ~.~ low RF ~sola ~icr. ~e~aee-: the 4icr cce__ c-::seer ~
::~'res- and t::e nearby fixed trans-=~
e~-;

_ _ _ .

. - For each pa~:~!side (s indica~i:~g ~::e ~u.:~:.er c= ...._ =v pa~h,.'_ide c -..teres~ and bei.~.g _ni~ial'-_r sew __ "1" ~..
s~

So J ) , i.~. s rep Sc 5 , tie variable L OAL=NG is de ~er--,;
~ d .~_..e accessinc SDB 34, which is associated pit: the ~ar~ic~'~r pat':z/side of interest i n tempera=v data _~.'~e _ . ~:pc::

de~2r:'.;iTl~ ~g LOAD=
.
Seep Sa6 a Let=r::~=na=
'dG
..
made .

, _ _ .
.. __ __ _ 15 s'ec Sa6 as to w:.et:.er or not the variable _~:dicates t::a~

"digital., -cdulation is performed or "analog" :.:odulatio~ is ;.erfe~ec :,v t'_.at ca;~ic::lar trans.;,itter of i-:.._res~.
_= .._._ dada is d' c' tal , s reps Sa and S90 wil 1 be e:~ec::~ec. I.
t. a :acdulaticn is analog steps Sa7 and Sao will b,e e~ecu;
ed.

, .

20 In each of steps So9, 590, Sa i and Saa, L ( ) is cal owl a~~~

in accerda::ce wit:: a particul ar equation depe.~.cing en to t,~~e of data being used. In order to determine L(), additic:.al values RXTNTPCN, TFAA, TFAB, TFAC, and also the values of P() which are stored in temporary data file F, will be determined 25 by accessing the appropriate data files. L1, which is utilized ~' the particular path/side is "analog," is as follows:

L 1 = P ( ) - TF AA - R.~INTPCN - TFAC .
L2, which is utilized to determine L() if the particular 30 path/side modulation is "digital," is as follows:
L2 - P()- TFAB -RXINTPCN - TFAC.
If L is positive as determined at step S9~, TFA 60 will proceed to step S92 where FREQN will be deter-_nined for t'~e "s"
~4 .a (;a _~.. ;; ;~ ;-. .~d d O . S J J
tr ans~ni t 'er o f interes t . Therea i ter, in step S? 3 , the banewidth CBW wil 1 be deter:~ined by accessing SDB 3:~ . _..

step S94, the bounds of the spec~..~sa segment to be excluded will be calc::lated, and in sea S95 the excluded ocrticns cf the spec tr~.i..~ wil l be subtr ac wed f r cm data file G .

If L is not positive, thus indicating a low chance cf i recumbent-te-MN interference ( and a high RF isclation) , TF~
6 v will proceed frcm step S91 directly to step S96 where S will be incremented, and if the maximum number of path/sides have been evaluated as determined at step S97, TFA 60 will retain to where it was called. Othe~--~rise, it will recur.~. ", s~eo Soc to make another determination.

It is noted that the limits in the segment of the soectr'sm to be excluded from the list of avail able soectr,~._, are as follcws:

low end of segment = FRE'QN - CH_BW/2 high end cf segment = FR~QN + CH-BW/2 The operation of Channels List Conditioning module (CLC) 62 is depicted in the flow charts of Figs. 11A-11B. Once R

58 and TFA 60 have determined which channel or channel s shoal d be excluded from the list of available channels (which is in data file G), CLC 62 determines whether the microcell cluster is located within any one-way receiver exclusion zones, and if so, what additional channels should be accordingly excluded.

A one-way exclusion zone is defined in the present embodiment to be shaped like a "keyhole" having a specified radius (i.e., the length of the long portion 72; see Fig. 12) about the incumbent receiver location. The length of the long portion of the keyhole changes linearly with elevation, having a highest value (ONEWAYA miles) at RX_CLN feet elevation, and a minimum radius (ONEWAYB miles) at 0 feet elevation. The length of the long portion of the keyhole also changes linearly with elevation, as does the included angle of the _ lfJq6d.5~~
lcncer pcrtien. Referring to Fig. 12, a keyhole 69 includes a core portion 70 and a long portion "2. Keyhcl a 69 comprises a "one-wav exclusion zone" defined for a one-wav receiver.

The r adius : _ sere portion 70 changes 1 i near 1v with elevation, having a hichest value of radius R~ at an upper elevation, and a minimum radius R3 at o feet elevation. The length of lcrc portion 72 also changes linearly with elevation, as does the included ancle 6 of longer portion 72. The length of icnger portion 72 of keyhole 69 is represented by a radius R. at a higher eleva:.icn, and a minimum radius R~ at 0 feet elevation.

The includes angle ranges fron an upper angle of 6_ to a lower ang~~e at 0 feet elevat;~on of 6F. The longer portion 72 is oriented toward the distant trans:aitter location of Lhe particular path of interest.

For puracses of explaining the operation of CLC 62 below, the various parameters of keyhole 69 depicted in Fig. 12 are representec as follows : ONEWAY?~ - R~, at RY-C::N fee t elevation; ONEWAYB = Ra, at 0 feet elevation; Rr. = ONEWAYC, at RY_C.N feet elevation; RD = ONEWAYD, at 0 feet e1 ovation; t'.~.e included angle ~~ = ONEWAYE degrees at RX_CLN feet elevation;

and 6~ = ONEWAYF degrees at 0 feet elevation. In performing the calculations, CLC 62 will use the follawing values frera SDB 34: LATN, LONN, AZIMUTHN, Rx'CLI~1, CLUSEL_FT, CLUS_LON, CLUS-LAT, ONE'~iAYA, ONEWAYB, ONEWAYC, ONEWAYD, ONEWAYE, AND

ONEWaYF. It is noted that, for each path/side, if CLUSEL_FT

is greater than RX-CLN, the value of CLUSEL FT/RX_CLN should be set to 1, for all calculations in which the value is used.

at step S98, CLC 62 sets an Referring again to Fig. 11A

, index s, which is representative of the side/path of interest, to 1. In step 599, a determination is made as to whether the path is one-way. In such a case, the variable EQPCODN would be 999999 as indicated in the appropriate category of SDB 34.

If the path is one-way, CLC 62 will continue forward; if not, _ ~~~ ~e , d ~ d 10966.533 however, CLC 62 will skin a number of steps, and proceed to step 5108 (shown in Fig. 11B).

If the path is one-way, in step 5100, a determination is made as to whether the mice ocel l cluster is w l thin a scecif iec circle having a specified radius which is related to the length of core portion 70 of keyhole 69, which is specified by [(ONEWAYA - ONEWAYB)] [CLUSEL-FT/RY_Ci.NI ONEWAYB

If the radius of the circle, determined by the above - ecuation, is greater than a distance DIST (equal to the distance from the microcell cluster to the receiver site c=

the incumbent radio system), the microcell cluster is determined to be within a portion of the excusion zone which corresponds to core portion 70 of the keyhole 69.

Accordingly, CLC 62 will proceed from step 5100 to step 5102.

However, if the radius determined by the above eruation is less than the distance DIST at step S100, CLC 62 proceeds to step 5101 to determine if the micrccell is within the long portion of the keyhole.

In order to determine whether the cluster is within. the longer portion of keyhole 69, a first determination is made as to whether the microcell cluster is within the included angle 8. If it is found to be within the included angle, a further determination is made as to whether it is within the radius o~_' longer portion 72 of keyhole 69.

AZDF is calculated, which is equal to the absolute value of the difference between AZIMUTHN and the azimuth from the fixed incumbent receiver location to the microcell cluster, and compared to the included angle of the keyhole. Te determine if the microcell cluster is within the included angle, the values CLUSEL-FTN and RX-CLN are used to calculate one-half of the included angle, which is found by:

1/2 [(ONEWAYC - ONEWAYD)] [CLUSEL_FT/RX-CLNj + ONEWAYD].

;..t :~ <'~,, r'i ~,~~9 ~,Q966.S33 Subsequently, t:.e calculated value of AZDF is compared with the value of one half the included angle. I' AZDF is greater than one half the included angle, the cluster is nc4 within the exclusion zone. If the cluster is not within the exclusion zone, the testing procedure steps S100 and 5101 wil'_ be repeated for each and every path/side of interest, until the maximum s is determined at S107. For each iteration, as soeci f ied in step S 106 , the value f or s is ir.cremen wed . I f - the maximum number for s has not been reached, step 510 wil'_ i0 return CLC 62 to step S99.

Upon detecting that the microcell cluster is within t:.e included angle, a further determination must be made as to whether the microcell clus ten is within the radius. of a lar7er circle circumscribed about the inc~.imbent nixed receiver 15 antenna location. By utilizing the values of LATN
LONN

, , CLLTS LON and CLUS_LAT which can be gathered from SDB 34, the distance from the microcell cluster to the incumbent receiv a site can be readily determined. The xadius of the per tir.en~

circle is found by 20 [(ONEWAYE - ONEWAYF)] [CLUSEL-FT/RX-CLN] + ONEWAYF.
~

If this radius, indicative of the radius of a large circle which corresponds to the length of long portion 72, is Less than the distance DIST, the microcell cluster is not within the exclusion zone, thus completing the determination of step 25 Slol. If the radius of the larger circle is greater than the distance DIST, the microcell cluster is within the exclusion zone, and CLC 62 will then proceed to step 5102 as indicated in Fig. 11A.

In step S102, SDB 34 is accessed to determine the value 30 of FREQALT which is the value of FREQN associated with the alternate side of interest. If EQPCODN is 999999, and refers to side 1 for a particular path, the value FREQ2 will be ~.~~. -Jf,,~J
CI~~O."
_ _.~Q?LT. __ ~QPC~SN __ 9°9°49 ~c_ side 2 c~ a par ~zc~.:lar pa ~::, the value FR.QI w v~.__ be FFcEQ~_L'_".
In stew S 103 , ~:.e ~~anc.widt:~: value RYBwi~1 w ill be r etr ieved ~_cm SDS ~~ corres:,cndinc Cc the app repriare cash; side, and _ ~ he limits of the sec:ne.~.c cf ohe scec~ruy, Cc be excluded frt...
he list of avai lab_a c:.anr.els :~ilw be determined ir. steo 51~:;-:
used cn the follewinc ecuaticns:
lcw end cf se~er.t = :F°QhLT - R.YB~v'N/2 hit h end of sag:"en ' = F~ yQALT . RYBW~/2 I=. step S'~o5 the re:~ainin~ availab=a channels list, :chic~. __ s ~.orec l:. tempcra~ uata _.l a G, gill be mcdif led.
The above-no ~2c pr ocedur a w l 1 1 be r epees tad until s uch ..ime as step S10 ~ dezer-.-,iines that the path; site index s ha=
r .ached _ is maxi_,~u:., nuu.ber , a t which ti me CL C. w ill proceed tc 1step 5103.
In s Cep S 1 03 , t'.~.e :~easurec available cnarr.els ' is ~.
(:~~_CL) , w hi ch l s indica'ed in temporary data _ile G, will b=_ scored, and an addi ticnal "operaticnal" availabla cha.~..~.e~s list (Or CL) wi 1 1 be set e~:al t h ~ recent .. c t a mos ~ ,._v upcat~
20 ACL. Subsequently in s Cep 51 09 , a deter~inatior, is .:,ace as to w::ether MACL is different than the last ucdated ACL.
If the M.~.CL is nct different than the last updated ACL, CLC 62 will return, and no changes need to be made to the ACL.
I f MP:CL l s dl f f eren t , a t s Cep S 110 a deternination is made as 25 to whether any channels have been removed (i.e., the MACL does not include channel s th at are listed in the last updated JCL) ;
ar.d, if sc, suc:. ~'.hannel s will be removed from the oACL ir.
step 5111. If no channels have been removed, the process will proceed to step 5112. In step S1I2, a determinaticn is made 30 as to whether any available channels have been added (i.e., if the MACL includes additional channels which are not listed in the last updated JCL). If so, a determination is made to ver ify tha t eat h added ava l fable channel can be r eked upen in :~

~? ~e ra, . y a a i Fey ~ G,:~ ~.i i~.~ ~~~~ c~
10966_S~3 S~2I7S Sil3-Sli4. If no sucz additional channel has been added, as deternined in step 5112, CLC will. proceed to step 5117, where a determination will be made as to whether OACL is t~e same as the last updated ACL. If it is the same, CLC 62 will return; if the OACL is not the same as the last updated ACL, the OACL will be stored as the newly updated ACL, anc for~aarded to MN (mobile network) 12 in step 5118, and CLC 62 w_11 return after step S118.

Referring to steps 5113 - 5116, in step 5113, a determination is made as to whether any recent change has been made to the status of FCC licensees in SDB 34. If no recent changes have been made, it is likely that the additional available microwave channel has been detected onlv due to maintenance or temporary disability of a particular transmitter, and does not accurately reflect that a corresponding receiver or co-located receiver is not operating and will not be interfered with. If there was a recent chance in the status of licensees, a determination is made at step 5114 as to whether the added available channels were detected by the overall available microwave channels dete~inatior.

system 28 during the last N measurement sequences as indicated by the MCHF of SDB 34. If so, since a long history has been established that this additional channel is available at step 5115, the available channel will be added to the oACL.

However, if such a history was not established as determined at step 5114, CLC 62 will prdceed directly to step 5116. In step 5116, the OACL will be forwarded to MN 12, and CLC 62 will subsequently return to where it was called.

Fig. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, in which a signal level monitoring system 65' is provided. Monitoring system 65' includes signal level monitoring antennas (SLMA's) 24, a signal conditioner 44', a spectrum analyzer 45', a controller 42', a processing device 10°6o.S.33 .. .' , and an output ,.~.'.evice 5a' . Scec:.~,:m analyzer 45' a~c sicnal conditioner 44' may be c;.nfigured substantially as described above wi~respect to the embodiment depicted .=c ~. Ccntroller 42' is configures to contrcl operaticn c.

.. sicnal conditioner 44' , specti,im anal yzer 45' , and prccessi::c cevice 64'. Spectrum analyzer 45' produces dada representative of signal levels contained within a plurali~-:

separate frequency bands received by each cf SL.'~~'s 2 __ccessing device 64' processes data produced by spec~~--~, 1 C a~:al yzer 4~' to produce data representative of a frecuency a:-_d a decree ef RF isciaticn between each SI~'~.A 24 and a recei~~er cf an incumbent radio system (not shown in Fig. 13). Output device 6~0', which may comprise, e.g., a data transmissic:~

device, a printer , or a display device, confcras ~.._ 1 l reformation provided by process:irg device 64' into a 'or_-., readable by another device, or a :~.uman operator.

Processing device 64' may comprise, for example, SL's and IDA 52, which are described above in detail with respect tc the embodiment depicted in Fig. 3. In addition, SDB 34 r~sw 20 be provided, and connected to processing device 64', tc provide information to SI~~I 48 and IDA 52 regarding incumbent radio system locations and specifications.

Signal level monitoring system 65' may be utilized, independent from any particular communication network c.

25 system, to monitor occupied frequency channels correspcnding to one or more particular locations (at which SLMA's 24 are placed) .

A positioning system receiver (PSR) 67' (e. g., a Global Positioning System receiver) may optionally be connected to 30 controller 42' to detect the position of signal level and provide information indicating the monitoring system 65' , same to controller 42'. The position-related information car.

accordingly be used by processing device 64' in determining ..'~.. ~! ~~V :d Iva ': 2 «.096o.S33 the degree of RF isolation between SirMA's 24 and one or more receiver and/or transmitter antennas of- a nearby radic communication system.

By way of example, signal level monitoring system 65' may be mounted to a mobile vehicle which can readily traverse large areas of terrain, to provide a complete picture of the available frequency spectrum in a given area. Signal level monitoring svstem 65' could be utilized to determine the : - likelihood that a nearby receiver will receive signals within a designated frequency band so that a radio system can either be configured to avoid transmission on that frequency band, or (if desired) to transmit on the designated frequency band.

Signal level monitoring system 65, when used in-a mobile vehicle, is particularly useful for deployment in areas in which there is a low density of incumbent radio system sites;

in such an environment, frequent moni toying of incumbent radio systems (by a signal level monitoring device, to determine available segments of frequency spectrum) at fixed designated locations is not necessary.

Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of a spectrum sharing system which comprises a frequency allocation control system 30' and a mobile communications network (MN) 12'. MN

12' comprises a base station 18', within a microcell 14', and one or more user terminals 16'. A Portable Communications Switching Office (PCSO) 20' is coupled to base station 18', and includes a channel assignment device 21' which is connected to an MN I/F 100.

Frequency allocation control system 30' comprises an isolation determination system 102 which is coupled to MN I/F

100, and an input device 104.

Isolation determination system 102 performs needed calculations and determinations in order to estimate the RF
isolation between incumbent receiver (and or transmitter) ~~ rJ' ~~J ~d ~~0966.~~3 an'ennas 10' (which are loca~ed at ene or more nearby sites 11 corresponding to an incumbent radio system) and a micrccel'~

1~' of I~1 12' which shares a oorticn of the frecuencv soec~r',:w i=-: common wi ~h the i nc::mben t radio svs tem.

.. MN _2' may be configured in cne or more of the manners described above with respect to the first embodiment fre.-uenc~, all ocaticn cor:tro'; svs~.em depicted in Figs. 1 and 3. ~1 1, _ 100 can include, e.c. , nothin c more t han informatics: (obtai::ed - from isolaticn deter:~ination system 102) being manually inpL:

i_ntc an coeraticn terminal located at PCSO 20' or permanently established communicaticns link between PCSO 20' and isolat'_on determination system 102, by which inforaation car. be transferred frem isolation determination system 102 to FCSO 20 .via channel assignment device 21').

Isolation determi nation sys te:~~ 102 comprises a process i r.g system fcr perforaing propagation analysis, in determining the r-~- o ' l 1 a y l +- l 1 ~- r. 2 ' de;~e_ o~ RF so_~~.yon be,.ween m_crccel_s 14 of ~N and incumbent radio system transmitters and/or receivers (nct shown). '"he above-noted propagation analysis is perfor~ec with the aid of infermaticn input via input device 10=

regarding freuuency use (of the incumbent radio system and I~1 12), geographic information (e. g., regarding the positionir:g of receivers and transmitters of each of MN 12' and the incumbent radio system, and the positioning of nearby objects (e.g., trees, buildings, etc.) which can affect the degree of RF isolation, and, optionally, signal measurement data which is indicative of the presence of one or more transmitters located within one or more frequency bands. By way of a non-limiting example, isolation determination system 102 can be configured to perform propagation analysis by determining the bounds of exclusions zones surrounding incumbent receiver and transmitter sites (within which a degree of RF isolation of an ancillary communications network, which transmits or receives ~a 4~~~i ~,~~
'~t..~ l~~i ~a is __0966.533 ' signals in a common block of frecuency spec~~,im, will be deemed below a minimum value). The exclusion zones are defined as a theoretically based safety zone within whic::

interference may result between the incumbent radio system and the ancillary communications network (e. g., MN 12').

The exclusion zone or zones utilized by isolation determination system 102 can comprise one or acre known or evolving models. For example, an exclusion zone may be uses v as defined in Motorola, Ins. "Comments Regarding PC:1 Americ' Test Report, An Interim Report," Report to FCC Regarding GF.N.

Docket 90-314, July 24, 1991 (e.g. , at pages 2-3) , the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

A number of features can be provided which are related to the various embodiments disclosed herein, in order to gain specific benefits or avoid particular problems that may be encountered in implementing the same in one or more specific environments. Several examples of additional features which can be added to the herein described embodiments are describes as follows.

With respect to the embodiments depicted in Figs. I and 2, in order to reduce the need for separate signal level monitors 32 in separate areas, multiple sets of SLMA's (at various locations) can be connected to a single signal level monitor 32 via mass-produced remote down-converters (e. g., I~iDS ) .

With respect to the exclusion zones which correspond to one-way links, these zones can be defined as a function of the transmission path physical characteristics, and are preferably defined in three dimensions. In determining the dimensions of these zones, the actual receiver bandwidth of the incumbent radio system receiver can be taken into account, and the zones 21~~~%'~
rI09bC.S33 C3n be defined t0 eXClllde C hannel s whyCh arF? ad j aCent t0 tile receiver frecuencv band.

Channel assignment device 21, shown in Fig. 1, can cc:.tprise eYistinc components of known cellular systems and protocols. For example, intra-cell hand-off, available .~:.t'_~.

GSu systems, may be provided to change frecuencies of microcell site radio base stawions, and disclosed by Fricsscn Ratio Systems AB, "Cellular Mobile Telephone System C'~' 2G

- S v s tom Descr iptior., " ( 1991 ) , the centen t of wh i c h is express 1 v _0 ~.ncorccrated here.:. ~,n ins entirety.

Signal level monitor 32 (see, e.g., Fig. 3) may be provided with a device (not shown) for performing carrier-te-interference ratio analysis at large freguencv offsets from t'.~_e center of an i r:cumbent radio channel , for anal eg inc'umben 1 inks . By providing suc'.~, a device, MN-genet ated i~.ter ference can be compensated for as a function of the frecruency offset __cn the center o~ t he inct:mbent channel of interest.

A security device (not shown) may be provided to prevent unauthorized access to SDB 34, so that only autherize~

operators, and an authorized remote data base service vender could provide updates to SDB 34.

For cases where a group of SLMA's which are associated , with a particular micrecell cluster 13, receive signals from multiple incumbent radio system sites within a particular incumbent system channel, the composite signal level can vary with time. The composite signal level will likely vary also when incumbent system transmitters utilize automatic transmitter power control for changing the transmitter output , power during fading periods. Accordingly, it may be necessary to repeatedly make power level measurements for each incumbent radio system channel to improve the quality of the measurement values obtained by signal level monitor 32.

.~ ,~ ,.;, r.~ ...
~,, S i ~,i ,.~ ~:~ ~_s _0966.533 To mitigate effects of strong signals which appear cutside cf frequency bands being measured_ by signal level :~cnitor 32 at any one time, signal level monitor 32 can be provided with a device (not shown) for gathering or evaluati;~g cut-of-bard signals which are within the passband oy bandpass filters of spectrum analyzer 45 (Figs. 3 and 13), and compensate for the out-of-band signals by, e.g. , adjusti__~.g i~~t~ernal attenuators or other signal level changing devices c~
= spectrum analyzer 45 and/or signal conditioner 44.
I~1 I2 may utilize several conventional (or yet to be developed) narrowband communications network tecZnologies, such as e. g. , TDMA, CDMA, FDMA, or a hybrid combination of t.e above. _ MN 12 may be provided with a mechanism for hcppi::g IS between frequency bands which fall within the confines of t~e channels assigned by frequency assignment device 21, which may be dictated by the ACL defined by frequency allocat_on control system 30. By providing such a mechanism, the robustness of signal transmitted and received by MN 12 in the presence c interference from an incumbent radio system can be enhance:.
Although several spectrum sharing systems have been described above in detail with respect to several aspects of the present invention, the following general description is provided relating to the general overall operation of an example spectrum sharing system, to provide the reader with a better understanding of the context within which the present invention may be implemented.
In operation of the spectrum sharing system described herein, e.g., as depicted in, Fig. 1, user terminals 16 communicate with other user terminals or, e.g., other parties through the use of a telephone system connected to STN 22.
For example, an individual may operate a handheld terminal 16 to make a call to another party via MN 12. In order to effect ,, a ~ W Fed r10966.S33 such communication to third par-ti es , each te~i:.al 15 wil 1 transmit and receive signals via a base station I3 which is associated with the microcell 1~ within which user terminal 16 is locate:. An upl ink (i. e. , a cc;,.muni caticn path withi.~.

which te=-:aina? lo' transmits infor:,a'icn to base station 1E) and a down'_ink (i.e., a communicaticn path within which base station 18 transmits inrormation to user ter3inal 16) are establishes, so that information can be exc:Zanced bet~reen use=

- te~-.nina~ 16 and one or mere t hi rd parties ccupled to mcbil a .0 cc.~.~nunica~_crs netNork ' 2 (e. C. , anct::er user terminal, a base station cf another microcell, or a telephone line couple' tc STN 22).

User terminal 16 (which is typically mobile)-may travel T.JlLhin a m.icrocel l 14, or pass 'r :.~., one miceccell 1~ tc another . Whey. a traveling user ter~,inal 16 reaches a cel 1 boundary, a handoff is initiated (which may be controlled by PCSO 20 ) , in whi oh user terminal 15 wil 1 be assicne a neTN

base station 18 (associated with t=.e new micrecell 14) and a corresponding uplink and downlink.

Each uplink and downlink pair of IrLr1 12 comprises transmitted radio signals within one or more freuuency bands ( for TDD, one band may be utilized, and for FDD, two bands may be utilized - one for the uplink and the other for the downlink), and, accordingly, occupy one or more portions of the frequency spectrum. Accordingly, the uplinks and downlinks of Ms1 12 may interfere with an incumbent radio system which uses a block of the frecuency spectrum in common with MN 12, should any incumbent radio system sites (e. g., incumbent radio system site 11) be located nearby which utilize the same portions of the frequency spectrum and have a low RF isolation from one or more of the uplinks and downlinks of MN 12.

('~ .~ ~~ e't, C~ ~'j 1 i t t .,.,. V. ~tl' n ~a 1.~~ , 10966.533 In order to address this problem, and avoid the likelihood of interference (MN-to-incumbent radio sysue~a, or incumbent radio sys;.em-to-MN) within the commonly occ,:pied portions of the frequency spectrum, frectuency allocation control system 30 will determine a list of avail able frequency channels (or portions thereof) which are not being utilized by incumbent radio system sites having low RF isclaLion from a nearby microcell 14, and provide the same to Irf~ 12, so that I~'~t 12 can assign frequencies for its uplinks and downlinks which are within the available channels list.

Information processor 36 (or e.c., isolation determination system 102) obtains the list of available channels (available channel list) , which is provide: to MN 12, by, e.g., evaluating the relative location of incumbent radio system sites that are near microcells 14 of MN i2 determining the ease with which RF signals can propagate from the incumbent radio system sites to the microcells 14 and voce versa. Such information regarding RF signal propagation nay be obtained by measuring (via SLMA's 24).

While the invention has been described with reference to the described embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, without depa~ing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described herein in reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein, and that the invention extends to all equivalent structures, methods, and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

_10966.533 DATA RECORD MEANING
OWNER1 Microwave Transmitter Licensee, Side 1 SIC1 SIC Code for Licensee, Side 1 SITE1 Transmitter Location Name, Side 1 SITEST1 Transmitter Location State, Side 1 STATLTS1 FCC License Status, Side 1 CALLSIGN1 FCC Callsign, Side 1 SERVICEI FCC Service - Operational Fixed LAT1 Site Latitude (D-M-S), Side 1 LON1 Site Longitude (D-M-S), Side 1 AZIMUTH1 Azimu~h toward Receiver (degrees), Side =

TXANT_MANI Transmitter Antenna Manufacturer, Side TXANT_MOD1 Transmitter Antenna Model Number TXANT_CODl FCC Code for Transmitter Antenna TX GAIN1 Transmitter Antenna Gain (Db)_ TX_CL1 Transmitter Antenna Height (ft-a.~MSL) RXANT Receiver Antenna Manufacturer, Side 1 _ Receiver Antenna Model Number RXANT_MODI.

RXANT_COD1 FCC Code for Receiver Antenna RX_GAIN1 Receiver Antenna Gain (dB) RX_CL1 Receiver Antenna Height (ft-AMSL) DVANT_MAN1 Diversity Antenna Manufacturer, Si~e DVANT_MOD1 Diversity Antenna Model Number DVANT_CODI FCC Code for Diversity Antenna DVGAIN1 Diversity Antenna Gain (dB) DVCL1 Diversity Antenna Height (ft-AMSL) EQPMAN1 Transmitter Manufacturer, Side 1 EQPMOD1 Transmitter Model Number EQPCOD1 FCC Code for Transmitter LOADINGI Modulation - Analog or Digital POWER1 Transmitter Output Power (dBm) FCCNO1 FCC License File Number, Side 1 ~

t ~~ ~
ya '~ i~ 4i t~10960'.533 TABLE 1 (Cont~d) G
J
DATA RECORD '~"ANING
APPDATE1 Date Application Filed (M/D/Y) GRTDATE1 Date License Granted (M/D/Y) PLAN1 Frequency Plar. - LL/HL/NS/L2/H2 FREQ1 Frequency (M~iz ) plus Polarization - H,/' OWNER2 Licensee (if Different frcm 1) SIC2 SIC Cede for License, Side 2 - SITE2 Transmitter Location Name, Side 2 SITEST2 Transmitter Location State, Side 2 STATLTS2 FCC License Status, Side 2 CALLSIGN2 FCC Callsign, Side 2 SERVICE2 FCC Service - Ocerational Fixed LAT2 Site Latitude (D-M-S), Side 2 LON2 Site Longitude (D-M-S), Side 2 2 0 AZ IMCiTH2 Az i~nut.'~ toward Receiver ( degrees ) , S ide 2 TXANT_MAN2 Transmitter Antenna Manufacturer, Side 2 TXANT Transmitter Antenna Model Number _ FCC Code for Transmitter Antenna TXANT

_ Transmitter Antenna Gain (d8) TX

_ Transmitter Antenna Height (ft-AMSL) TX_CL2 RXANT_MAN2 Receiver Antenna Manufacturer, Side 2 RXANT Receiver P~tenna Model Number _ FCC Code for Receiver Antenna RXANT

_ Receiver Antenna Gain (dB) RX

_ Receiver Antenna Height (ft-AMSL) RX

_ Diversity Antenna Manufacturer, Side 2 DVANT

_ Diversity Antenna Model Number DVANT

_ FCC Code for Diversity Antenna DVANT_COD2 DVGAIN2 Diversity Antenna Gain (dB) DVCL2 Diversity Antenna Height (ft-AMSL) EQPMAN2 Transmitter Manufacturer, Side 2 EQPMOD2 Transmitter Model Number EQPCOD2 FCC Code for Transmitter LOADING2 Modulation - Analog or Digital POWER2 Transmitter Output Power (dHm) FCCN02 FCC License File Number, Side 2 APPDATE2 Date Application Filed (M/D/Y) GRTDATE2 Date License Granted (M/D/Y) PLAN2 Frequency Plan - LL/HL/NS/L2/H2 FREQ2 Frequency (MHz) plus Polarization - H/V

DIST_MILES Path Length (Mi) DIST Path Length (l~n) KM

_ Channel Bandwidth (MHz) CH-BW

~~.Q~' ~E
_0966.53 NOTE: The term "Side 1" refers to one end or the duple:
pink.
The term "Side 2" refers tc the distant end of the cu~lex link.

DATA FcECORD MEANING

RXRW1 Receiver IF Bandwidth (MHz), Side 1 RYTH~ Receiver-Threshold (dBm), Side 1 IS R.xBW2 Receiver IF Bandwidth (~2) , Side 2 RXTH2 Receiver Threshold (dBm), Side 2 BW~ Receiver Antenna Beamwidth (deg), Side RXANT

_ Transmitter Antenna Beamwidth (deg), Side TXANT

_ Receiver Antenna Beamwidth (dec), Side 2 RXANT

_ Transmitter Antenna Beamwidth (dec), 2 .~ ~ .9 l'° ~ ,err !..v _10966.SJ3 DATA RECORD MEANING
CLUSEL FT Microcell Cluster Elevation (ft-AMSL) CLUS ~iicrecell Cluster Longitude (D-M-S) LCN

_ Micrccell Cluster Latitude (D-M-S) CLUS
LAT

_ Analog R.X Interference Threshold (dB) RXINTANA

RXINTDIG Digital R.x Interference Threshold (dB) 1p RXINTDCN PC"1 RX Interference Threshold (dBm) PCNUSER PCN Users per Microwave Channel PCNTXP~v'R average Pcwer per PCN T:~ (dBm) - ONEWAYA One Way Exclusion Zone Value A

ONEWAY3 One Way Exclusion Zcne Value B

15 ONEWA'~C One Way E:~clusion Zone Value C

ONEWAYD One Way Exclusion Zone Value D

ONEWAYE One Way Exclusion Zone Value E

ONEWAYF One Way Exclusion Zone Value F

DATEMEAS Date of Measurement (M/D/Y) Z p TIMEi~~.AS Time of Measurement (h'~i: MM: SS ) AZ1 Direction SLMA 1 Ants Face (deg) AZ2 Direction SL~"~_A 2 Ants Face (deg) AZ3 Direction SI~'~IA 3 Ants Face (deg) AZ4 Direction SL.'~~ 4 Ants Face (deg) 25 MTLA MTL Signal Threshold (dBm) MTLB MTL Length (mi) MTLC MTL Beamwidth (deg) MTLD MTL Radius (mi) MTLE MTL Polarization Offset (dB) 30 MTLF MTL SLMA Location Offset (dB) MTLG MTL Azimuth Offset (deg) MTLH MTL Distance Factor MTLI MTL Elevation Factor MTLJ MTL Azimuth Factor 35 MTLK MTL Summary Threshold RFAA RFA Diversity Gain Factor RFAB RFA Antenna Offset Factor RFAC RFA Summary Threshold TFAA TEA Analog Offset 40 TFAB TEA Digital Offset TFAC TEA Summary Threshold IDAA IDA Threshold

Claims (47)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A radio communications frequency allocation control system for allocating one or more ranges of transmission frequency to an ancillary communications network, which comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, in order to prevent one or more of said plurality of ancillary radio stations from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system which shares frequency space with said ancillary communications network and which comprises one or more incumbent radio stations, said control system comprising:
means for obtaining information indicative of the presence and location of said one or mare incumbent radio stations, said information comprising a plurality of signal level values and corresponding frequency values obtained from radio signals which are located within the frequency range of said incumbent radio system;
means for processing said information into a form more closely representative of the actual presence and location of said one or more incumbent radio stations; and means, responsive to said means for processing, for allocating one or more frequency ranges within which said ancillary communications network can transmit signals without interfering with said received signals of said incumbent radio system.

2. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining means comprises means for periodically measuring levels of signals across an entire frequency band of interest which is utilized by said ancillary communications network, said periodic measuring means comprising means for synchronizing assignment of transmission frequencies utilized by said ancillary communications network so that said periodic measuring means does not measure signals which include signals transmitted from said ancillary communications network:

3. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 1, wherein said ancillary communications network comprises a mobile communications network, and said plurality of ancillary radio stations comprise base and mobile stations.

4. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 1, wherein said incumbent radio system comprises a fixed point-to-point microwave radio system.

5. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 1, wherein said allocating means comprises means for forwarding an available channels list to said ancillary communications network.

6. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 5, further comprising:
means for comparing said signal level values with a predetermined threshold value;
means for identifying a transmitter of an incumbent radio station which corresponds to each signal level value which is determined to be above said threshold value;
means for identifying a receiver which is co-located with said transmitter; and means for determining the frequency at which said receiver receives signals.

7. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining means comprises a system database which comprises parameters of each of said incumbent radio system and said ancillary communications network and signal level monitoring means for periodically measuring levels of signals across an entire frequency band of interest which is utilized by said ancillary communications network, said information which is processed by said processing means further comprising said parameters.

8. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 7, wherein said signal level monitoring means comprises a spectrum analyzer.

9. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 7, wherein said allocating means comprises means for forwarding an available channels list to said ancillary communications network.

10. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 9, wherein said ancillary communications network further comprises channel assignment means for assigning user and control channels to said ancillary communications network, said channel assignment means comprising means for receiving said available channels list and means for assigning only user and control channels which are within the confines of said available channels list.

11. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 10, further comprising means for synchronizing operation of said signal level monitoring means with operation of said channel assignment means, wherein said signal level monitoring means measures only signals within frequency ranges which are not assigned as either control or user channels by said channel assignment means.

12. A radio communications frequency allocation control system for allocating one or more ranges of transmission frequency to an ancillary communications network which comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, in order to prevent one or more of said plurality of ancillary radio stations from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system, said control system comprising:
means for obtaining information indicative of the presence and location of the incumbent radio system, the information comprising a plurality of signal level values and corresponding frequency values obtained from radio signals located within the frequency range of the incumbent radio system;
means for obtaining data, based upon the obtained presence and location information, regarding the availability of frequency ranges within which said ancillary communications network can communicate without interfering with said incumbent radio system; and means, responsive to said obtaining means, for allocating one or more frequency ranges within which said ancillary communications network can transmit signals.

13. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 12, wherein said ancillary communications network comprises a mobile communications network, and said plurality of ancillary radio stations comprise base and mobile stations.

14. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 12, wherein said incumbent radio system comprises a fixed point-to-point microwave radio system.

15. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 12, wherein said allocating means comprises means for forwarding an available channels list to said ancillary communications network.

16. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 12, wherein said obtaining means comprises a system database which comprises parameters of each of said incumbent radio system and said ancillary communications network, and said information which is processed by said processing means comprises said param eters.

17. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 16, wherein said allocating means comprises means for forwarding an available channels list to said ancillary communications network.

18. The radio communications frequency allocation control system according to claim 17, wherein said ancillary communications network further comprises channel assignment means for assigning user and control channels to said ancillary communications network, said channel assignment means comprising means for receiving said available channels list and means for assigning only those user and control channels which are within the confines of said available channels list.

19. A method for allocating one or more ranges or transmission frequency to an ancillary communications network which comprises a plurality of ancillary radio stations, in order to prevent any of said plurality of ancillary radio stations from interfering with received signals of an incumbent radio system which shares frequency space with said ancillary communications network and which comprises one or more incumbent radio stations, said method comprising:
obtaining information indicative of the presence and location of said one or more incumbent radio stations, said information comprising a plurality of signal level values and corresponding frequency values obtained from radio signals which are located within the frequency range of said incumbent radio system;
processing said information into a form more closely representative of the actual presence and location of said one or more incumbent radio stations:
and in accordance with said processing, allocating one or more frequency ranges within which said ancillary communications network can transmit signals without interfering with said received signals of said incumbent radio system.

20. A method for allocating one or more ranges of transmission frequency to a mobile communications network that shares a common block of frequency spectrum with an incumbent radio system having a plurality of incumbent radio stations, said mobile communications network having at least one base station and at least one user terminal capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from said base station, said mobile communications network assigning frequencies on which said user terminal transmits and receives said signals, periodically receiving parameters representative of ranges of frequencies which can be assigned, and controlling the assignment of frequencies so that only frequencies within said ranges of frequencies which can be assigned are assigned, said method comprising:
measuring, at a measuring location within a general area of said mobile communications network, a plurality of signal levels of signals falling within a plurality of frequency segments of said common block of said frequency spectrum, said plurality of frequency segments comprising segments that are needed in order to identify any frequency ranges to be used by said mobile communications network which will conflict with any frequency ranges used by said incumbent radio system:
thereafter identifying which of said plurality of incumbent radio stations are nearby incumbent radio stations, by determining which incumbent radio stations have a geographic location within a certain range of the measurement location and have a transmit or receipt frequency that is within a certain range of said frequency segment, and by using the results of the previous step of measuring thereafter calculating whether, for a specified range of frequencies to be assigned to said mobile communications network, interference is likely to occur between said mobile communications network and at least one of the identified nearby incumbent radio stations as a function of the geographic location and the transmit and receive frequencies of said at least one nearby incumbent radio station: and thereafter setting said parameters using the results of the previous step of calculating to values which prevent said communications network from assigning ranges of frequencies for which a calculation was made indicating that interference is likely to occur, said parameters being periodically received by said mobile communications network, said setting step comprising creating all of said parameters when said parameters are set.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said parameters comprise an available channels list.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said calculating comprises determining a degree of RF
isolation between a receiver of a nearby incumbent radio station and said mobile communications network, as a function of the frequency difference between said specified range of frequencies to be assigned to said mobile communications network and the receive frequency of the receiver of the nearby incumbent radio station.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein said calculating comprises determining a degree of RF
isolation between a transmitter of a nearby incumbent radio station and said mobile communications network, as a function of the frequency difference between said specified range of frequencies to be assigned to said mobile communications network and the transmit frequency of the transmitter of the nearby incumbent radio station.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring is performed by a measuring station fixed in one location remote from said at least one base station of said mobile communications network.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring is performed by a movable measuring station.

26. The method according to claim 20, further comprising determining whether each nearby incumbent radio station is in service and excluding nearby incumbent radio stations that are not in service from the nearby incumbent radio stations to be utilized in the step of calculating.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein said incumbent radio system comprises a fixed point-to-point microwave radio system.

28. The method according to claim 20, further comprising synchronizing operation of said measuring step with operation of said mobile communications network, wherein signals are only measured within frequency ranges which are not assigned for use by said mobile communications network.

29. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises positioning a plurality of monitoring antennas at various locations adjacent to the mobile communications network.

30. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises moving at least one antenna to various locations adjacent to the mobile communications network.

31. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises measuring, with antennas collectively having both horizontal and vertical polarizations, signals that are propagated near the mobile communications network.

32. The method according to claim 20, further comprising distributing control channels to said mobile communications network, said control channels being distributed throughout a total range of frequencies available for use by said mobile communications network.

33. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises measuring a signal level within a discrete frequency range, collecting a plurality of measured signal levels within the discrete frequency range, and averaging the collected signal level values corresponding to the discrete frequency range.

34. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises determining if the measured levels of signals contain intermodulation products and subtracting intermodulation products from the measured signal level data.

35. The method according to claim 20, wherein said measuring step comprises taking plural measurements and determining which of the measurements indicates a least amount of RF isolation between said mobile communications network and an incumbent radio system transmitter.

36. The method according to claim 20, further comprising identifying the presence and location of an incumbent receiver which is co-located with an incumbent transmitter as a function of the geographic location of an incumbent radio station, the measured signal level of the transmitter of the incumbent radio station, and the transmitter frequency of the transmitter of the incumbent radio station.

37. The method according to claim 20, wherein said calculating comprises:
determining a power value based upon measured signal levels falling within said specified range of frequencies to be assigned to said mobile communications network; and comparing the power value to a threshold value, wherein the threshold value varies as a function of the frequency difference between the specified range of frequencies and the transmit frequency of a transmitter of a nearby incumbent radio station.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the threshold value further varies as a function of whether the transmitter of the nearby incumbent radio station performs either analog or digital modulation.

39. The method according to claim 20, wherein said calculating comprises:
determining a power value based upon measured signal levels falling within said specified range of frequencies to be assigned to said mobile communications networks and comparing the power value to a threshold value, wherein the threshold value varies as a function of the frequency difference between said specified range of frequencies and the receive frequency of a receiver of a nearby incumbent radio station.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the threshold value further varies as a function of whether the receiver of the nearby incumbent radio station performs either analog or digital demodulation.

41. The method according to claim 20, further comprising assigning user and control channels to said mobile communications network, said user channels comprising channels which can be used by said at least one user terminal to transmit signals containing information to be communicated, and said control channels comprising channels on which said user terminals can determine the frequency at which said user channels are located.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein said at least one base station and said at least one user terminal transmit and receive signals with Time Division Duplexing.

43. The method according to claim 41, wherein said at least one base station and said at least one user terminal transmit and receive signals with Frequency Division Duplexing.

44. The method according to claim 41, wherein a width of said user and control channels is less than the width of a narrowest channel of said incumbent radio system.

45. The method according to claim 41, wherein said control channels comprise channels which occupy portions of the frequency spectrum spread throughout at least a majority of the entire frequency band of said incumbent radio system.

46. The method according to claim 41, further comprising automatically controlling transmitted power of said user terminals for a wide range of frequencies and signal levels.

47. The method according to claim 46, further comprising automatically controlling transmitted power of said base stations for a wide range of frequencies and signal levels.