The exponential development of the wireless communication systems in the last decades leaded to the necessity of reconsidering some aspects regarding the management of the limited frequency resources. The initial requirements for the next generation of mobile communication systems (5G) also highlight the need for spectrum and acknowledge that fixed spectrum allocation is a bottleneck to 5G requirement fulfillment. A first step necessary in order to optimize the allocation of frequency bands is to evaluate the degree in which the spectrum is currently used. Based on measurement campaigns performed worldwide, it was noticed that the spectrum occupancy degree is at present time extremely low. However, most of these campaigns cover frequency ranges below 3 GHz and are targeted only on urban areas.

The main goals of the project are to develop an innovative spectrum occupancy evaluation system based on software defined radio (SDR) platforms and to use it for evaluating the spectrum occupancy in various urban and rural areas of Romania. The current state-of-the-art will be extended in the framework of the present project by using a different capture approach, improving the data processing methodology, increasing the time periods and extending the frequency measurement range up to 6 GHz (in the context of future 5G networks, foreseen to operate in these frequency area). The proposed SDR implementation approach offers significant advantages in terms of mobility, flexibility and price. In order to obtain an accurate spectrum occupancy evaluation, optimized spectrum sensing algorithms will be developed. Moreover, the theoretical duty-cycle models that will be created based on the measurements will allow the development of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) equipment, a key enabler for the future 5G networks.