Spectrum efficiency scheme 2004/05 - Update

Updated: 14th March 2005

Phase 1 and 2 of SES

Ofcom are pleased to announce that the following contracts have now been issued for research grants covering the topic areas listed below in phase 1 and 2 of the SES scheme in 2004/05.

1. Efficient Mesh Networks - Fixed or Mobile, Planned or Ad-Hoc

A critical examination of published work on mesh systems to identify the theoretical determinants and metrics of spectral efficiency for both high frequency (line of sight) and low frequency (non-line of sight) systems;
Looking at the capacity constraints of mesh networks. Examining the hypothesis that for a mobile mesh the more consumers use a service, the more capacity the network has: effectively, every mobile user, laptop user, etc., becomes a base station;
Investigating whether mesh systems would change the way spectrum is managed, e.g. would the wider use of mesh systems imply that there should be more licence-exempt spectrum?;
Examination of the key problems in the delivery of fixed and mobile mesh systems and predictions as to when these problems might be resolved and mesh systems might become widespread.

Two contracts let, one concentrating on fixed and one on mobile:

Contract (SES-2004-1a) Let to CCLRC RAL, University of Manchester, Cardiff University, Oxford Brookes University, Sinon Ltd, Satconsult Ltd

Contract (SES-2004-1b) Let to Plextek, University College London, Spectrum Trading Associates

2. Spectrally Efficient Radar Systems in the L and S Bands

A review of the spectrum utilised by radar in the L & S bands and recommendations on which (if any) could be moved to lightly-used higher frequency bands;
Assessment of the economies of introducing new radar technologies by comparing the predicted costs of putting new technologies into a band with the likely economic value of the spectrum liberated by looking at a number of specific, real world examples;
A study into the practical problems of generating high power coded waveforms using travelling wave tube or alternative devices.

Contract Let to AMS, UCL, BAE Systems, Cranfield University

3. Evaluation of Software Defined Radio

Identification of the key obstacles to the development of widely deployed SDR systems, discussion of the breakthroughs needed to overcome these obstacles and a map of the timescales and key "forks in the road" on the path to the deployment of SDR;
Identification of the areas and applications for which SDR will most likely be first deployed;
Analysis of the regulatory issues involved in SDR leading to recommendations as to the most appropriate regulatory stance to encourage rapid investment.

Two contracts let:

Contract (SES-2004-3a) QinetiQ, MAC, CDS, Univ. Southampton, University York, University Vienna

Contract (SES-2004-3b) University of Surrey, Fujitsu

4. The Development of Smart Antenna Technology

Identification of the key obstacles to the development of widely deployed smart antenna systems, discussion of the breakthroughs needed to overcome these obstacles and a map of the timescales and key "forks in the road" on the path to the deployment of smart antennas;
Identification of the areas and applications for which smart antennas will most likely be first deployed;
Analysis of the regulatory issues involved in smart antennas leading to recommendations as to the most appropriate regulatory stance to encourage rapid investment.

Two contracts let:

Contract Let to Culham, European Antennas, Quotient, Loughborough, Plextek

Contract Let to Queen Mary College, University of London, Lucent Technology, BSC Associates Ltd

5. Systems at 60GHz and above

Initial examination of bands between 60GHz - 100GHz looking at the usefulness (practical range, propagation losses, etc) of particular bands and the economics of high frequency devices;
Assess the implications of both licensed and licence-exempt use and make recommendations as to the approach most likely to encourage innovation and usage of these bands;
Identification of the key obstacles to the usage of these bands, discussion of the breakthroughs needed to overcome these obstacles and a map of the timescales and key "forks in the road" on the path to the usage of higher frequency bands;
Undertake a survey of international activity in these bands, both in terms of regulatory stances around the world and also research and development being conducted world-wide.

Contract Let to CCLRC RAL, OciusB2, Satconsult Ltd, University of Durham

6. Improving the Sharing of the Radio Spectrum

The purpose of this work is to:

consider novel and innovative methods for sharing the radio spectrum and looking at ways to automate and simplify frequency sharing so as to maximise the use of the limited radio spectrum resources available
evaluate the risks of increasing the sharing of the radio spectrum in terms of how new services in the band will affect quality of service so as to determine where maximum benefit lies to the UK in terms of increased services and increased interference
evaluate whether stakeholders would value increased multiplicity of radio services or increased reliability of radio services

Contract let to CDS, BAA, BAE,Cardiff University, NERA, Roke Manor, SI

7. Impact of introducing Automatic Transmit Power Control in P-P Fixed Service systems

To determine the impact of introducing Automatic Transmit Power Control (ATPC) in Point-to-Point (P-P) Fixed Service (FS) systems operating in bands above 13 GHz
Determination if ATPC increases spectrum efficiency
Identification of the key obstacles to the use of ATPC

Contract let to CCLRC RAL & Aegis Systems Limited

8. Next Generation Unattended Automatic Monitoring System

To design an automatic monitoring station that can be deployed in large numbers to monitor the radio spectrum and detect interfering radio signals with sufficient accuracy to localise and identify the source of the interference
To design an interference monitoring system for man made noise that can be deployed to monitor the radio spectrum and accurately determine the true RF noise floor
To demonstrate the spectrum efficiency advantages of wide-scale deployment of such systems by Ofcom

Two contracts let:

Contract (SES-2004-8a) QinetiQ, Arup, TRL
Contract (SES-2004-8b) Mass, QMUL

9. Generic Radio Modelling Tools for Spectrum Trading

To develop a prototype for a consistent generic radio modelling tool which will enable the effect of a change of use of a radio band in a specific area to be predicted.
Demonstration of the use of such a tool in a spectrum liberalisation environment
Use as a spectrum management policy tool

Contract let to Transfinite Ltd, CCLRC RAL, University of Surrey

Phase 3 of SES

1. Interference Cancellation Techniques

To study the Practical Application of interference cancellation techniques in Cellular, Wireless and Fixed Link Applications
Demonstration the advantages of interference cancellation in a specific application
Considerations of receiver complexity and operation within the system

Contract let to Roke Manor, Univ of Bristol, RAL, CDS

2. Wireless Broadband Technology

To investigate the possibilities of providing wireless broadband access (WBA) to the rural communities in the license exempt bands by allowing a higher power than currently permitted by the equipment regulations.
Consideration of the effect of higher powers to other users
Identification of the most suitable frequency bands and technologies for the provision of WBA to the rural communities

Contract let to Scientific Generics, Birkbeck College, Lucent, DotEcon