The sharing of the terrestrial TV frequency spectrum with Secondary Users (SUs) is presently the focus point of numerous research efforts worldwide. In many regulatory domains, contiguous blocks of VHF and UHF spectrum are available for exclusive use by the terrestrial TV broadcasting incumbents. However, this notion is currently challenged by the spectrum management paradigm of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), advocating that this spectrum may be shared on a dynamic basis with SUs. The migration of analogue terrestrial TV to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) has also catalysed the notion that the terrestrial TV frequency spectrum will no longer be exclusively used for terrestrial broadcasting. Some administrations have already embraced this technology, reforming spectrum policy to allow unlicensed secondary access to the Spectral Opportunities (SOs) present in the terrestrial TV frequency bands. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has expressed early interest in the possibilities of TV white space technology and its possible utility in exploiting the SOs that exist in the terrestrial TV frequency bands. Core to the issues mentioned above is the quantification of the Spectral Opportunity (SO) available. To this end, the work presented in this thesis gives a quantified estimate of the SO available in South Africa. This work is the first of its kind for the South African environment and uncovers new knowledge regarding SO in South Africa. SO is analysed and quantified on provincial and national level for three discrete points in time: before the start of dual-illumination, during dual illumination and after analogue switch-off. A system model that is able to produce the required geo-referenced field strength coverage and SO maps is conceptualised and implemented. A complete standards compliant model is implemented from scratch, verified and validated, with design decisions specific to the South African context. The analysis methodology is developed with rigour. The construction of the TV transmitter database, definition of incumbent protection criteria and development of the required analysis metrics to quantify SO are presented. SO in the VHF and UHF terrestrial TV frequency bands is quantified by expressing SO in terms of the number of available channels, weighted respectively by land area and population density. The analysis results indicate that significant SO is available for exploitation by TV white space devices in the terrestrial TV spectrum in South Africa. The effects of radio astronomy advantage areas on the SO available are also investigated. The probability of finding contiguous channels in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands is also quantified. A comparative study, comparing the SO for South Africa with related work in Europe and the United States of America (USA), is also performed. Finally, maps that visualise the SO available are constructed for the three discrete time periods evaluated. / Thesis (PhD (Computer Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The sharing of the terrestrial TV frequency spectrum with Secondary Users (SUs) is presently the focus point of numerous research efforts worldwide. In many regulatory domains, contiguous blocks of VHF and UHF spectrum are available for exclusive use by the terrestrial TV broadcasting incumbents. However, this notion is currently challenged by the spectrum management paradigm of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), advocating that this spectrum may be shared on a dynamic basis with SUs. The migration of analogue terrestrial TV to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) has also catalysed the notion that the terrestrial TV frequency spectrum will no longer be exclusively used for terrestrial broadcasting. Some administrations have already embraced this technology, reforming spectrum policy to allow unlicensed secondary access to the Spectral Opportunities (SOs) present in the terrestrial TV frequency bands. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has expressed early interest in the possibilities of TV white space technology and its possible utility in exploiting the SOs that exist in the terrestrial TV frequency bands. Core to the issues mentioned above is the quantification of the Spectral Opportunity (SO) available. To this end, the work presented in this thesis gives a quantified estimate of the SO available in South Africa. This work is the first of its kind for the South African environment and uncovers new knowledge regarding SO in South Africa. SO is analysed and quantified on provincial and national level for three discrete points in time: before the start of dual-illumination, during dual illumination and after analogue switch-off. A system model that is able to produce the required geo-referenced field strength coverage and SO maps is conceptualised and implemented. A complete standards compliant model is implemented from scratch, verified and validated, with design decisions specific to the South African context. The analysis methodology is developed with rigour. The construction of the TV transmitter database, definition of incumbent protection criteria and development of the required analysis metrics to quantify SO are presented. SO in the VHF and UHF terrestrial TV frequency bands is quantified by expressing SO in terms of the number of available channels, weighted respectively by land area and population density. The analysis results indicate that significant SO is available for exploitation by TV white space devices in the terrestrial TV spectrum in South Africa. The effects of radio astronomy advantage areas on the SO available are also investigated. The probability of finding contiguous channels in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands is also quantified. A comparative study, comparing the SO for South Africa with related work in Europe and the United States of America (USA), is also performed. Finally, maps that visualise the SO available are constructed for the three discrete time periods evaluated. / Thesis (PhD (Computer Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

L'objecte d'estudi d'aquesta tesi es centra en la política europea de l'espectre radioelèctric i presta especial atenció a l'harmonització del dividend digital al Regne Unit i Espanya. La metodologia es basa en una revisió bibliogràfica i hemerogràfica completada amb un conjunt d'entrevistes amb representants de diferents organismes de regulació del Regne Unit i Espanya, i de la mateixa Comissió Europea. En la primera part de la tesi es realitza una aproximació conceptual, des d'una vessant tècnica i jurídica, a la xarxa radioelèctrica i al dividend digital, espai alliberat una vegada completada la transició a la TDT. Seguidament, s'aborda la naturalesa, àmbits de regulació de la xarxa radioelèctrica, actors, models i evolució de les formes de gestió. El tercer capítol es centra en la Unió Europea com actor de la política de l'espectre radioelèctric des de mitjans de la dècada dels 80 fins a l'actualitat. En la darrera part de la tesi es descriuen i analitzen les actuacions de la UE destinades a harmonitzar el dividend digital fent especial referència a les conseqüències d'aquesta harmonització sobre les estructures nacionals i la planificació de la TDT en els dos països estudiats, el Regne Unit i Espanya. / El objeto de estudio de esta tesis se centra en la política europea del espectro radioeléctrico y presta una especial atención a la armonización del dividendo digital en el Reino Unido y España. La metodología está basada en una revisión bibliográfica y hemerográfica completada con un conjunto de entrevistas con representantes de diferentes organismos de regulación del Reino Unido y España, y de la misma Comisión Europea. En la primera parte de la tesis se realiza una aproximación conceptual, desde una vertiente técnica y jurídica, a la red radioeléctrica y al dividendo digital, espacio liberado una vez se ha completado la transición a la TDT. Seguidamente, se aborda la naturaleza y ámbitos de la regulación de la red radioeléctrica, sus actores, modelos y evolución de sus formas de gestión. El tercer capítulo se centra en la Unión Europea como actor de la política del espectro radioeléctrico desde mediados de la década de los 80 hasta la actualidad. En la última parte de la tesis se describen y analizan las actuaciones de la UE destinadas a armonizar el dividendo digital y se atiende especialmente a las consecuencias que esta armonización tiene sobre las estructuras nacionales y la planificación de la TDT en los dos países estudiados, el Reino Unido y España. / The object of study of this thesis focuses on the European radio spectrum policy in particular the harmonization of the digital dividend in the United Kingdom and Spain. The methodology is based on a multidisciplinary bibliographic review completed with an in-depth interviews with policy-makers from the national regulatory authorities and the European Commission. The first chapter of the dissertation consists of a conceptual approach of radio spectrum network and the digital dividend, the amount space released once the switch-over is completed. Afterwards, it deals with the nature of spectrum regulation, its actors, models and evolution of spectrum management. Its third chapter focuses on the European Union as a spectrum policy actor from the 80's onwards. Finally, this thesis analyses the EU actions oriented to the harmonisation of the digital dividend, and pays special attention to its consequences on national structures and DTT plans of the United Kingdom and Spain.