Spectrum management is the process that allows the maximum number of people to use a very limited resource. This resource, "Electromagnetic Spectrum" (EM), is also called the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum. Spectrum management is accomplished by spectrum engineering, spectrum monitoring, and spectrum assignment to ensure pure spectrum availability. Spectrum users may be separated by frequency, location, and/or time.
The importance of radio spectrum management is increasing because of growing pressure on this valuable resource. Recent years have seen an explosion of wireless services, bringing challenges of spectral efficiency and interference management.
ICS Manager is an automated frequency management tool. It is targeted to meet the needs of a wide range of spectrum administrations ranging from national agency to industry co-operative body and anyone with the need to manage a large number of channels, users, sites, equipment types, licenses and services.
The tool is based on and is fully compliant with ITU-R Rec. SM 1047: National Spectrum Management and Rec. SM 667: National Spectrum Management Data. When used as a stand alone application ICS Manager will also provide the ideal solution for ITU-R Rec. SM 1048: Design Guidelines for a Basic Automated Spectrum Management System for smaller territories and industry organisations in countries with deregulated frequency assignment regimes.
The tool allows the user to carry out station definition, ITU notification, international coordination, license issue and the host of management functions associated with spectrum management given a definitive statement of spectrum use within a country. Frequencies can be assigned to individual stations and allotted to services. Frequency plans can be assembled and managed and future assignments made against these plans. Data can also be stored specifying antennas, equipment and users. Licensing data can be exported to a billing system for generation of invoices for spectrum use.
Key features of the ICS Manager include:
• Standalone or Client Server installation
• Project management with individual workspaces for each user
• Multi-language environment
• Fully integrated cartographic management (DTM, maps, geographical coordinate systems including conversions) • ITU notification (electronic and paper) forms
• Modules adapted for each field of action/service: VHF/UHF analogue and digital broadcast, Microwaves, Earth Stations including APS4/III form and AP28 coordination contour computation, FWA Stations, GSM, PMR, coordination of Fixed Services, coordination of Mobile Services, Notification T11-T17, spectrum planning
• Import from standard SMDB: TerraSys, SRS, DACAN, TVA, TVD• Interface with major monitoring equipment providers
For more information on radio spectrum management tools and services, please log onto www.solutionsinradiocommunications.com
