Need connectivity? Need spectrum! Measuring radio frequency spectrum utilization in the Philippines

Authors

Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)

Abstract

Wireless communication systems such as mobile cellular, wireless local area networks, telecommunication satellites, TV broadcasts, etc. use the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, which is a limited resource, to provide coverage and service. With many Filipinos being reliant on wireless technology for connectivity, there is a need to ensure that the underlying infrastructure and policies, such as for the management of RF spectrum, are highly responsive to this large and growing demand. In the Philippines, quantitative measurements of spectrum utilization and signal availability or coverage of wireless communication networks are not being measured in a systematic and consistent way that generates relevant data for supporting sound technical solutions and policy decisions addressing rural connectivity and the digital divide. In this presentation, we discuss our current efforts in devising and implementing tools for conducting quantitative distributed measurements of radio frequency spectrum utilization and signal analysis that build up a new and rich information infrastructure. Such infrastructure is intended to support, among others, the promulgation of effective spectrum management policies and practices for achieving digital inclusion in the Philippines. In particular, our work features the design and implementation of signal processing algorithms on software-defined-radio (SDR), platforms for measuring the radio frequency (RF) spectrum used for wireless broadcasting and telecommunications services. Our methods intend to go beyond energy detection schemes and also target complex, higher-order statistical processing algorithms (such as feature detection) and parametric signal analysis that lead to richer information on utilization and quality of spectrum resources. We give an example of a spectrum measurement campaign in the UHF band over the western segment of the Philippine Nautical Highway System (PNHS). In addition, we present an attempt to build a spectrum monitoring system in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), as a possible payload in the International Space Station. This payload is intended to measure terrestrial radio frequency utilization from space – generating data that can lead to better comprehension of the scale of the global digital divide, which may be used to inform relevant policies and interventions.

About the Speaker

Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr., Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)

Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. is a Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). In January 2020, he was appointed as the first Director General of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), where he is now leading the build up and mobilization of the newly created national government agency. Immediately prior to the PhilSA, Dr. Marciano served as the Acting Director of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI).

Dr. Marciano has over 25 years of combined experience leading and managing research and operations in technical areas of wireless communications (software-defined and cognitive radio technology, RFID, MIMO, etc), radio frequency spectrum management and policy, rural connectivity, emergency response communications, sensor networks, scientific earth observation microsatellites and geospatial AI. As the Program Leader of the PHLMicrosat and STAMINA4Space programs from 2014 to 2020, he led a diverse team in the development and utilization of the country's first scientific earth observation microsatellites, Diwata-1 and Diwata-2, the nanosatellite Maya-1, and at least 10 more small satellites in various stages of development. These initiatives include associated activities in ground station and mission control operations, data archiving and distribution, remote sensing and artificial intelligence on geospatial data, academic program development and the establishment of local research and testing facilities in small satellites, and local industry engagement in space technology.

Downloads

Issue

2020: Proceedings of the 38th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2020-INV-4C-01

Section

Invited Presentations

Published

2020-10-19

How to Cite

[1]

JJS Marciano, Need connectivity? Need spectrum! Measuring radio frequency spectrum utilization in the Philippines, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 38, SPP-2020-INV-4C-01 (2020). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2020-INV-4C-01.