The probe spectrum access method

This paper describes the probe spectrum access method. This dynamic spectrum access method can be used in the TV band to enable a system to transmit at high power levels (>1 W) without causing harmful interference. Each "Frequency Agile Radio" (FAR) transceiver measures the background spectrum to identify potential available channels. The system uses a high-processing gain probe waveform that enables propagation measurements to be made with minimal interference to the non-cooperative users. The system uses a modulation method to identify the FAR signal to all non-cooperative users via on/off amplitude modulation, allowing easy resolution of interference claims. Other TV band spectrum access methods do not enable high transmit power levels (>1 W) without causing interference to the existing users