What Is Carrier Spectrum Monitoring?

The carrier spectrum is a scarce resource that is tightly regulated. Some are used for television and particular purposes, emergency services, but much of it is reserved for mobile communications – a range around 700 MHz in particular.

Carrier monitoring systematically examines the frequencies used in the cellular network to identify signals that do not comply with regulations. The system automatically carries out this based on the operator’s specified search parameters.

Real-time detection of interference

Interference is a significant impediment to mobile network performance. It comes from illegal or unlicensed broadcasters, repeaters, DECT phones, jammers, and other sources.

Interfering signals can affect end users’ quality of service (QoS) and lead to network downtime. Spectrum monitoring helps identify real-time interference signals, allowing network engineers to immediately mitigate and eliminate the issue.

The system can be implemented as a centralized, cloud-based solution integrating various mobile and wireless networks, including multi-vendor 5G NR, LTE, and UMTS cells. Using self-learning AI-based algorithms, the system continuously profiles interferers and removes them entirely automatedly.

Correctional officers can also use the system in the field to identify a suspected cell phone or other contraband signal and determine its location in real-time. This information can focus search and seizure efforts and improve security.

Real-time logging of spectrum history

Spectrum history can help you pinpoint interference that’s difficult to locate. It also lets you identify when a signal was present and how long it was there.

Real-time spectrum analyzers can capture transient or elusive events with high fidelity, digitize them, and store them in memory. This capability is helpful for various applications, including RF interference analysis, signal acquisition, product testing and validation, RF system design, communication security, and academic research.

A typical real-time spectrum analyzer features programmable test routines, automatic capture, and intuitive touchscreen displays. It can also perform several other functions, such as storing and playing backtraces.

Real-time carrier monitoring can also be used for detecting contraband cell phones. This lets correctional officers and prison officials know when illegal telephones are being used and allows them to focus their efforts efficiently during search and seizure activities.

Real-time alerts for trouble spots

It can be daunting for a large organization, such as a burgeoning telecommunications provider or a government agency, to manage the many nippers that need attention. The good news is that tools are in the toolbox to make your life easier. With the right technology and ingenuity, you can put your most valuable assets to work for you. Boost productivity, cut costs, and improve customer service with the help of our nifty little sensors and clever software. The best place to start is with a consultation from one of our telecommunications experts and an honest-to-goodness-free no obligation quote.

Real-time location estimation

Real-time location systems, commonly known as RTLS, can passively identify and track people and assets with room-level or sub-room-level accuracy within an indoor facility. These systems can be based on a range of signal modalities, including radio-frequency (RF) technologies, such as UWB and Bluetooth, infrared, or ultrasound, and are widely deployed across various industries for use cases such as safety, inventory management, asset tracking, and transportation.

These systems use tags that send ID signals to multiple receivers positioned in different areas of the building or campus. These detectors will triangulate the tags’ signals to determine their position and then send this information to a central system.

Carrier monitoring systems can also be configured to detect interference or suspected illegal/unlicensed signals. Once caught, a geo-location algorithm can pinpoint the signal’s position with three or more nearby monitors. This helps minimize the time and expense needed to locate the signal’s post.