Systems, methods, and devices for electronic spectrum management

Abstract

Devices and methods enable optimizing a signal of interest based on identifying and analyzing the signal of interest based on radio frequency energy measurements. Signal data is compared with stored data to identify the signal of interest. Signal degradation data is calculated based on noise figure parameters, hardware parameters and environment parameters. The signal of interest is optimized based on the signal degradation data. Terrain data may also be used for optimizing the signal of interest.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for spectrum management, comprising:
 a RF receiver, a signal processor, and at least one memory connected to the signal processor;   wherein the RF receiver is operable to measure RF energy across a wide frequency spectrum and output RF energy measurements to the signal processor;   wherein the signal processor is operable to:
 generate signal data based on the RF energy measurements received from the RF receiver; 
 identify and measure interference based on the signal data; 
 compare the generated signal data with data stored in the at least one memory to identify the at least one signal of interest; and 
 provide signal optimization parameters for signal optimization of the at least one signal of interest. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an antenna structure; wherein the antenna structure is operable to receive and optimize RF energy expressed in a wireless environment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is further operable to calculate signal degradation data for the at least one signal of interest based on information associated with the at least one signal of interest in a static database including noise figure parameters of a transmitter outputting the at least one signal of interest, hardware parameters, and environment parameters. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the RF receiver is operable to measure a reference spectrum input of 0 Hz to 12.4 GHz with capability of fiber optic input for spectrum input and measurement up to 60 GHz. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is further operable to identify and provide symbol and protocol information of the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is further operable to determine a modulation type of the at least one signal of interest and identify data types carried in the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is further operable to calculate a signal origin for the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is further operable to determine at least one parameter for the at least one signal of interest, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of center frequency, bandwidth, power, number of detected signals, frequency peak, peak power, average power, and signal duration. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory comprises:
 a history database storing measured signal data for signals previously identified by the apparatus;   a characteristic listing storing static signal data; and   at least one buffer storing data generated by the signal processor;   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the characteristic listing also stores protocol data, environment data, noise data, hardware data and payload data. 
     
     
         11 . A method for spectrum management, comprising:
 measuring RF energy across a wide frequency spectrum and output RF energy measurements to the signal processor;   generating signal data based on the RF energy measurements received from the RF receiver;   filtering the signal data to reduce interference;   comparing the signal data with data stored in the at least one memory to identify at least one signal of interest; and   providing signal optimization parameters for signal optimization of the at least one signal of interest.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising optimizing RF energy expressed in a wireless environment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising calculating signal degradation data for the at least one signal of interest based on information associated with the at least one signal of interest in a static database including noise figure parameters of a transmitter outputting the at least one signal of interest, hardware parameters, and environment parameters. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising measuring a reference spectrum input of 0 Hz to 12.4 GHz with capability of fiber optic input for spectrum input and measurement up to 60 GHz. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising identifying and providing symbol and protocol information to the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining a modulation type of the at least one signal of interest and identify data types carried in the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising calculating a signal origin for the at least one signal of interest. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising determining at least one parameter for the at least one signal of interest, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of center frequency, bandwidth, power, number of detected signals, frequency peak, peak power, average power, and signal duration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one memory comprises:
 a history database storing measured signal data for signals previously identified by the apparatus;   a characteristic listing storing static signal data; and   at least one buffer storing data generated by the signal processor;   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the characteristic listing also stores protocol data, environment data, noise data, hardware data and payload data.