Broadband spectrum surveys in Denver, CO, San Diego, CA, and Los Angeles, CA: methodology, analysis, and comparative results

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) has performed a set of automated, broadband measurement surveys of spectrum usage in several metropolitan areas in the United States across the frequency range 108 MHz to 19.7 GHz. The methodology, hardware and software used to conduct the surveys are described. The survey results are broken down into separate categories for mobile, point-to-point and radiolocation bands. In mobile bands, maximum, minimum and average levels of usage during the survey periods are measured. Relatively light usage by terrestrial point-to-point microwave systems is observed. Broadband occupancy at relatively levels is shown for radar systems in the radiolocation bands.