Using TV receiver information to increase cognitive white space spectrum

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the usage of cognitive radio devices within the service area of TV broadcast stations. Until now the main approach for a cognitive radio to operate in the TV bands has been to register TV broadcast stations locations and thus protecting the broadcast stations service area. Through information about TV receivers' location, we show that a cognitive radio should be able to operate within this service area without causing harmful interference to the TV receivers as defined by Ofcom and FCC. We provide simulations based on real statistics from Norway that show that especially in rural areas TV receiver registration can provide a substantial gain in terms of exploitable frequencies for a cognitive radio.