Test Plan Community Brief

NASCTN CBRS Sharing Ecosystem Assessment:

Always-On Dynamic Protection Area

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National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN)

NASCTN is a multi-agency, chartered organization that 

includes DoD, NASA, NIST, NOAA, NSF, and NTIA.

The purpose of NASCTN is to improve opportunities for 

successful spectrum sharing through accurate, reliable, and 

unbiased measurements and analyses.

Through its members, NASCTN provides:

• Robust test processes and validated measurement 

data necessary to develop, evaluate and deploy 

spectrum sharing technologies

• Best practices for spectrum sharing metrology, 

testing, measurement, and data analysis to improve 

quality of information provided to the spectrum 

community

• Access to testing capabilities, spectrum test data, 

analyses, and reports NIST hosts NASCTN Program Office and a core team to ensure rapid 

response, access to key skills, consistency, and knowledge management.

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NASCTN: 

• Develops Test Plans with independent technical experts

• Identifies and facilitates access to appropriate test 

facilities

• Executes and validates scientifically rigorous test 

methodologies

• Delivers detailed test methods and data with 

transparency, validity, and reproducibility 

• Protects all controlled information (proprietary, sensitive, 

classified) 

NASCTN does not make policy recommendations 

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National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN)

3
NASCTN projects follow an open, transparent, comprehensive process for developing and executing independent, scientifically 

based test plans, validating test results, and reporting findings. Serves as a common architecture across all NASCTN projects. 

NASCTN 5-Stage Framework

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TEST REQUEST: DoD CBRS Sharing Ecosystem Assessment (SEA) program

Test Request: CBRS Sharing Ecosystem Assessment (SEA)

Collect data required for DISA DSO to ascertain the effectiveness of the sharing 

ecosystem between CBRS systems as managed by Spectrum Access Systems (SASs), 

and DoD systems as monitored by Environmental Sensing Capabilities (ESCs). 

Provide insight into the sharing ecosystem’s effectiveness, and track changes in the 

spectrum environment over time.

4 Key Objectives:

Provide data driven insights into:

1. Efficacy of permanent sharing between CBRS systems as managed by SASs and DoD 

systems

2. Noise floor measurements through continuous automated observations

3. CBRS emissions within the Always-On Dynamic Protection Areas at Army and Marine sites

Support:

4. The development & management of a measurement data repository

2 Phases:

• Phase 1: Establish the measurement system requirements; develop, build, 

deploy a metrology system to measure the CBRS ecosystem performance at 

DoD sites.

• Phase 2: Long-term analysis phase, with continuous noise floor measurements 

and annual deep dive measurements and analysis.

Background: DoD 3.5 GHz Transition Plans focus on 

ecosystem validations, environmental assessments, 

and continued engagement on refining the CBRS 

infrastructure. One component was identified for 

submission to NASCTN, to evaluate the effectiveness 

of the CBRS sharing ecosystem to co-exist with DoD 

radar systems, via independent trusted agent

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Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)

NASCTN Project: Provide data-driven insight into the 

CBRS sharing ecosystem’s effectiveness between 

commercial and DoD radar systems, and to track 

changes in the spectrum environment over time. 

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) is the “first of 

a kind” shared spectrum ecosystem, implemented 

nationwide.

• Shared band, 3 tier approach - Incumbent, Priority Access 

License, General Authorized Access

• Sharing stipulations – FCC part 96

• Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC) detects incumbents 

and Spectrum Access Systems (SAS) coordinates spectrum 

access

• Sharing is coordinated in Dynamic Protection Areas 

(DPA)s: E-DPA (serviced by ESCs), P-DPA (database/portal 

based), and GB/Always-On DPA (ground base/always on)

Reference: https://ongoalliance.org/the-technologybehind-spectrum-sharing-the-spectrum-access-system/

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Passive Observation:

• Measure Aggregate Emissions in the CBRS Band in Always-On DPAs

▫ Characterize emission levels in the CBRS band over time in always-on DPAs.

▫ Obj 1: Collect data to provide insights into the Always-On Dynamic Protection Areas

▫ Obj 2: Measure increase in background emissions due to deployment of wireless systems over time

• Measure Aggregate Emissions in the CBRS Band in Coastal DPAs

▫ Characterize aggregate CBRS emissions with and without DPA activations.

▫ Obj 1: Assess ecosystem performance to timely respond

▫ Obj 2: Measure increase in in background emissions due to deployment of wireless systems over time

Active Experimentation:

• Evaluate ESC Performance in the Field (with Navy Ship)

▫ Assess ESC detection performance for a representative set of ESCs in the field.

▫ Obj 1: Collect data on ESC site alerting due to Navy transmission. Assess true-positive and false-positive 

rates and independently verify incident power levels at ESC sensor locations

▫ Coordinated investigation with Federal and commercial stakeholders

Long Term Support:

• Long Term Data Analysis of the measurements

• Support DoD Measurement Data repository

NASCTN SEA Project Approach

To achieve the 4 objectives, 5 major technical tasks were identified:

DPA - Dynamic Protection Area

ESC Field Performance

LT Data & Analysis

Always-On DPA

Coastal DPA

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Sharing Ecosystem Assessment – Building Blocks

NASCTN SEA 

Tool Set

• Modeling & 

Simulation

• Calibrated 

Sensor Systems

• Data Products

Collabor

ations

• Ground Truth

• DPA States

• CBSD deployment 

insights

Data 

Driven 

Insights

• Always-On DPA

• E-DPA 

• Active 

Experimentation

https://www.radartutorial.e

u/

Validated Data

with Statistical and Uncertainty Analysis

Provide data-driven insight 

into the CBRS sharing 

ecosystem’s effectiveness 

between commercial and DoD 

radar systems, and to track 

changes in the spectrum 

environment over time. 

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• Commentary:

▫ Period 02/22/23 – 03/17/23

▫ Submission to NASCTN in written form through Comment Review Matrix

▫ Will be anonymized & in non-attributing manner

▫ All comments to be adjudicated and posted publicly

• A revised Draft Test Plan and adjudicated comments will be posted to 

the NASCTN website

Test Plan Comment Period

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Passive Observations:

Always-on Dynamic Protection Area

Always-On DPA

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Location:

• USMC Camp Pendleton, CA 

Scope: Always-on Dynamic Protection Area

Characterize emission levels in the CBRS Band over time

▫ Obj 1: Collect and publish data to provide insights into the always-on Dynamic Protection Area

▫ Obj 2: Study changes in background emissions as wireless systems continue to deploy

Not Doing:

▫ Obj 1: Adjudicate or attribute the protection threshold

Approach: 

• Autonomous, calibrated, leave behind field systems deployed 

within the always-on DPA

• Modeling and Simulation

▫ Identify opportune sensor system siting

▫ Evolve understanding of CBRS deployments on SEA sensor 

measurements

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DPA limits:

▫ Frequency: 3550 MHz 

– 3650 MHz

 Licenses channelized 

to 10 MHz blocks

▫ Protection criteria

varies by frequency

Anticipated Analysis Outcomes:

1. Quantified emissions levels at a set of locations

2. Background emissions change over time

3. Publish data to provide for insights into R2-IPM-05:

“SAS’s shall manage CBSD aggregate interference levels for inland DPAs”

Outcomes: Always-on Dynamic Protection Area

Camp Pendleton: sites surveyed

Candidates

Requested

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3

9

1

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• Modeling & Simulation

▫ Informed site selection methodology

• Calibrated Sensor System

▫ NASCTN SEA Prototype Sensor

 Architecture

 Implementation

 Characterization & Calibration

▫ Future evolution/version for Always-On 

• Data Products

▫ Edge Compute Products

▫ Insights from Prototype Deployments

• Deployment plans (Camp Pendleton)

Overview of Technical Section

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• Modeling & Simulation

▫ Informed site selection methodology

• Calibrated Sensor System

▫ NASCTN SEA Prototype Sensor

 Architecture

 Implementation

 Characterization & Calibration

▫ Future evolution/version for Always-On 

• Data Products

▫ Edge Compute Products

▫ Insights from Prototype Deployments

• Deployment plans (Camp Pendleton)

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Modeling & Simulation - Informed site selection methodology 

Objective: Utilize modeling and simulation as a tool to help inform site selections for SEA sensors

Approach: Estimate aggregate emissions from CBSD grants at candidate SEA sensor locations for each 10 MHz channel 

in the 3550-3650 MHz band

• Without DPA activation, i.e., emissions from neighbor list CBSD grants

• With DPA activation, i.e., emissions from keep list CBSD grants

*Camp Pendleton is an always-on DPA, only emissions from the keep list CBSD grants are estimated

Candidate SEA 

sensor locations

DPA move list algorithm

(WInnForum’s

implementation)

Aggregate emissions 

calculation

(modified WInnForum’s

implementation)

Randomized CBSD grant 

deployment from 

obfuscated data

Neighbor list CBSD grants

Move list CBSD grants

Aggregate emissions at SEA Keep list CBSD grants

sensor locations 

(with/without DPA 

activation)

SEA sensor 

antenna patterns

Current NASCTN SEA Modeling and Simulation 

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Obfuscated Data on CBRS Deployment for M&S

• SAS Administrators provided NTIA obfuscated data on CBRS deployments in 

support of the NASCTN CBRS SEA project

▫ 3 selected areas: DPA West-14, DPA East-1, Boulder & Broomfield counties, CO

• NASCTN utilizes obfuscated data to generate randomized CBSD grant 

deployments

• Use a modified WInnForum Reference implementation to estimate aggregate 

emissions from randomized deployments to

▫ Candidate sensor locations near DPA West-14 and DPA East-1, and inside Always-on 

DPA Camp Pendleton

▫ Green Mountain Mesa (GMM) sensor in Boulder County, CO

Cat B neighborhood 

+ 100 km buffer

DPA West-14

DPA East-1

Boulder & Broomfield Counties

Census block 

GEOID

Category A CBSD / 

Category B CBSD

Randomly:

• Generate CBSD registration requests

• Generate grant requests

• Assign grants to CBSDs

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Examples of computed neighbor list, move list, keep list CBSD grants per 10 MHz channel

Simulation Results for Always-On DPA Camp Pendleton

Protection points within DPA Neighbor list CBSD grants Move list CBSD grants

Always-on DPA Camp Pendleton overview:

▫ Frequency range: 3550 MHz – 3650 MHz

 Channelized to 10 MHz blocks

▫ Protection criteria vary by 10 MHz channels

Keep list CBSD grants

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Simulation Results for Always-On DPA Camp Pendleton

Candidate SEA sensor locations under investigation 

for simulation and field evaluation

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Areas of high interest for sensor placement

Aggregate emission estimates from keep list CBSD 

grants to candidate sites in 3630-3640 MHz channel
Key Technical Challenges with Current Modeling 

• Use randomized CBSD deployments from obfuscated FAD data instead 

of real CBSD deployments

• Use maximum requested EIRP values of the grants

▫ Grants may operate at lower maximum allowable EIRP values

▫ Some CBSDs with approved grants do not transmit

• Have not considered the effects of activation of adjacent DPAs or other 

protection entities nearby

• Have not taken clutter into account in the propagation model

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• Modeling & Simulation

▫ Informed site selection methodology

• Calibrated Sensor System

▫ NASCTN SEA Prototype Sensor

 Architecture

 Implementation

 Characterization & Calibration

▫ Future evolution/version for Always-On 

• Data Products

▫ Edge Compute Products

▫ Insights from Prototype Deployments

• Deployment plans (Camp Pendleton)

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21

Motivation: 

1. Insights into the CBRS ecosystem behavior at a representative location to inform 

Test Plans,

2. Demonstrate the operating of remote sensing nodes that perform autonomous, 

calibrated, measurements with quantified levels of uncertainty over time,

3. Trial edge compute data products on real world signals, and

4. Evolve CBRS ecosystem understanding with simulation and measured data.

Calibrated Sensor System - SEA Prototype Sensor

Prototype Rev 1

• Lab based

Prototype Rev 2

• Controlled Field 

Testing

Prototype Rev 3

• In situ collects

• 1x CO, 2x VA

Sensor 1

• Always-On DPA 

(Camp Pendleton)

Sensor 2

• Coastal DPA

complete complete operational development

Development workflow

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o Professional design and integration through MITRE – Bedford Laboratories

o Traceable to NIST Calibrated and referenced to NIST’s thermal noise radiometer 

(https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/thermal-noise-metrology)

o Authority To Operate network through NTIA / ITS

o Leverages NTIA’s reference implementation of the Spectrum Characterization and Occupancy 

Sensing (SCOS) sensor standard. (IEEE 802.15.22.3)

o On-the-fly calibration through NIST traceable on-board RF thermal noise reference

o Portable lab to field uncertainty characterization methodology demonstrated and in 

preparation for publication

o Deployed sensor investigation and monitoring through NASA Langley

Technical Highlights

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23

SEA Prototype Sensor Rev3 System – at a Glance

Parameter Typical Value Conditions Note

RF System

Frequency Range 3550 – 3700 MHz

3540 – 3710 MHz 

expanded collects 

recommended

Gain 31.5 dB

Channel 8 

(3620 – 3630 MHz) 

RSA Settings: 

Preamp: Enabled

Reference level: -25 dBm

Input attenuator: 0 dB

Input-Referred 

Noise Power -98 dBm/10 MHz

Input 1 dB 

Compression Point 

(w/ CW Stimulus)

-48 dBm

Adjacent Channel 

Rejection in development

Highly dependent on ADC 

overrange condition

See Section 4.4.4

Antenna

Type Omni (360°)

GMM sensor variation

90° Sector

Gain: 17 dBi

Pol: +,- 45° Slant Pol

Vert: 6°

Gain 9 dBi

Polarization Vertical

Vertical 3 dB 

Beamwidth 11°

Preselector

Signal 

Processing 

Unit

LTE

Backhaul

CBRS 

Antenna

Modular Sensor System

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SEA Prototype Sensor Rev3 Block Diagram

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Green Mountain Mesa Site

Green Mountain Mesa Sensor

GMM Sensor, Installation

Latitude 39.99180 deg

Longitude -105.2745 deg

Azimuth 12 deg +,- 5 deg*

Elevation 0 deg +,- 1 deg

AGL 4.09 m +,- 0.05 m

AMSL (WGS-84) 1783.4 m +, - 1.5 m

*Azimuth to be further refined

KP Performance Antennas

KP-3SX4-90

Gain 17.0 dBi +,- 0.3 dB 

Slant Pol +,- 45 deg

Horizontal HPBW 90 deg +,- 5 deg

Vertical HPBW 6 deg +,- 0.3 deg

https://www.kpperformance.com/Content/Images/Downloadables/Datasheets/KP-3SX4-90_datasheets_US.pdf

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• System Gain (Independent of Antenna): ~31.5 dB +,-unc* dB

Sensor Specs - System Gain

26

Proposed Range 

for Diagnostics

8

8

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*Estimate of uncertainty for a known fixed power and any 

time and temperature variations unaccounted for is +,-0.3 dB
• Full System Noise Figure: 4.2 dB < NF < 6 dB* 

Sensor Specs - System Noise Figure

* The range accounts for loss mechanism between the antenna element port and on-board calibration 

reference planes. We estimate the revised sensor noise figure to be closer to 4.5 dB.

8

8

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Leverages NTIA’s reference implementation of the Spectrum 

Characterization and Occupancy Sensing (SCOS) sensor standard.

Standard: IEEE 802.15.22.3 defines the architecture, abstraction 

layers, interfaces, and metadata requirements

Open-source software repositories: https://github.com/NTIA/scos-sensor

• scos-sensor - control software residing on the host processor

• Controls preselector and signal analyzer

• Runs actions to collect and process data

• Notifies manager when data is available

• scos-manager - tasking software residing on a server at ITS

• Task the sensors and manage their schedules

• Retrieve sensor data

• Remove retrieved data from sensors

• Back-end orchestration using Ansible and puppet

• Install OS and updates

• Install or rebuild scos-sensor

Sensor Command and Control Software

SCOS Manager Demo with deployed SCOS Sensors around Boulder 

*a prior NTIA ITS effort

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• Software

▫ Evolved on-board calibration methodology

▫ Reduced overhead in metadata

▫ Higher sensor stability and reliability

• Hardware

▫ Revised VAC/VDC power control

▫ Refined antenna selection

• Data Pipeline

▫ Automated translation from SigMF to database repository

• Data Analysis 

▫ Formalized timeseries analysis

Sensor 1: Design Iteration towards Field Deployment at Camp Pendleton

Prototype Rev 1

• Lab based

Prototype Rev 2

• Controlled Field 

Testing

Prototype Rev 3

• In situ collects

• 1x CO, 2x VA

Sensor 1

• Always-On DPA 

(Camp Pendleton)

Sensor 2

• Coastal DPA

complete complete operational development

Development workflow

Green Mountain Mesa Site

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• Modeling & Simulation

▫ Informed site selection methodology

• Calibrated Sensor System

▫ NASCTN SEA Prototype Sensor

 Architecture

 Implementation

 Characterization & Calibration

▫ Future evolution/version for Always-On 

• Data Products

▫ Edge Compute Products

▫ Insights from Prototype Deployments

• Deployment plans (Camp Pendleton)

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Goal: Compute a compressed stream of key 

measurements from field waveforms in real time

▫ Summary power statistics

▫ Structure/distributions in time/frequency

These are “building blocks” - downstream 

aggregation and analysis will digest into 

intermediate data products for each of the major 

tasks

Data Products: Data at the Edge

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Candidate Edge Compute Products – at a Glance

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Edge compute products are candidate edge compute data, other data 

derived from IQ are feasible, though need to be evaluated for their utility to 

longitudinal studies.

Deprecated
Example data product: Power Spectrum

(4 s capture in each channel, concatenated across band)

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Example data product: Channel Power vs Time

3600-3610 MHz, Green Mountain Mesa, Boulder, CO

(Δt = 10 ms, 4 second capture)

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Example data product: Amplitude Power Distribution

3600-3610 MHz, Green Mountain Mesa, Boulder, CO

(4 second capture)

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Example data product: Frame Power

3600-3610 MHz, Green Mountain Mesa, Boulder, CO

(Δt = ~71.4 μs, 4 second capture)

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Green Mountain Mesa - a stand in location

• Stand off distance & overlook to population center 

and CBSD deployments within Boulder

• Data collected as Revision 2 and Revision 3 sensor: 

▫ Development of Edge Data Products and Sensor 

refinements with hardline backhaul to avoid data limits

• Allows team to exercise insights into day-to-day CBRS 

activity as well as trends on the week scale 

• Data Products of note here: 

▫ Channelized time domain Summary Statistics w/ Sensor 

Overload KPI 

▫ Spot checks with Periodic Frame Power to glean insights 

into emitter types

GMM Sensor w/ 

sector antenna

GMM sensor in Boulder with example CBSD 

deployment within Boulder county

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GMM Rev3

2022-12-01

Overload

Time Series Edge Data: 

Median RMS Power

Max Peak Power

Median RMS PFP

Max Peak PFP

Exploratory Visualizations - A Day at a Glance

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Exploratory Visualizations

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Exploratory Visualizations

• Long term trend maps

▫ Histograms Traditional and Polar Projections

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• Modeling & Simulation

▫ Informed site selection methodology

• Calibrated Sensor System

▫ NASCTN SEA Prototype Sensor

 Architecture

 Implementation

 Characterization & Calibration

▫ Future evolution/version for Always-On 

• Data Products

▫ Edge Compute Products

▫ Insights from Prototype Deployments

• Deployment plans (Camp Pendleton)

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Camp Pendleton: sites surveyed

Candidates

Requested

12

3

9

1

• Site surveys conducted to identify areas for sensor 

deployment during March 2022

▫ 23 sites surveyed that covered available areas at Camp Pendleton

• Goal: Identify sites that support our sensor requirements

▫ Power, antenna and mounting friendly, and good RF vantage to 

adjacent area from DPA

• The following data was collected at each site:

▫ Spectrum and I/Q data around CBRS band 48

▫ Observations of any signals indicating incumbents nearby

▫ Active LTE signal levels for backhaul use (outside band 48)

▫ AC power and shelter availability

▫ Altitude measurements

Site Survey

• 4 sites were initially down selected 

from the original 23 with the highest 

potential

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Camp Pendleton: sites surveyed

Candidates

Requested

12

3

9

1

Camp Pendleton DPA Sensor Sites

• Selection Criteria Summary / Initial Sites Requested

▫ Criteria for Site Selection

 Located adjacent to a structure with power and room to deploy

 CBRS Signals detected in band 48

 Good correlation with CBRS modeling data

 Sufficient LTE reception for backhaul

• Initial Pendleton Site Request for 2 sites:

▫ Submitted to Pendleton POC on January 12, 2023

▫ Site ID 9 (~300ft altitude)

 Structure with power nearby

 Several options for mounting sensor system

 Limited CBRS signal level measured at 3m AGL but good exposure to north 

San Diego County

▫ Site ID 3 (~570ft altitude)

 Co-located near Navy sensor

 High probability of securing site

 Power available

 Strong CBRS signal level measured at 

3m AGL.

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A Quick Comparison between Simulation Results and Site Survey Data

CBRS emissions were detected only at:

• Site 2 & Site 3 in 3620-3635 MHz

Simulation Results (seeded from 1/2023)

Aggregate emission estimates from CBSD grants to candidate 

sites in 3630-3640 MHz channel

Site Survey (March 2022)

Areas of high interest for sensor placement

Areas worthy of investigation from site survey

Candidates

Requested

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A. Prototype Systems

▫ Deployed in-situ to inform NASCTN Test Plan development and provide for 

initial insights into the CBRS band. (GMM, NIT, HU)

 Data has shown interest from stakeholders

▫ Software - on going revisions to: 

 Evolve on-board calibration methodology

 Reduce overhead in metadata

 Improved sensor stability and reliability 

(latest round of updates points to >95%)

▫ Hardware - on going revisions to : 

 Exclusively outdoor fielded system

 VAC/VDC power control 

 Antenna selection

▫ System verification checks

 Additional test identified and under investigation

B. Data Ingestion & Analysis

▫ Work towards automated translation from SigMF to database repository

▫ Establish methods in formalized timeseries analysis

C. Data Publication Plan

▫ Need to investigate and formalize processes through with NASCTN will publish at a 

cadence relevant to stakeholders

Green Mountain Mesa

39.99180 N, 105.27452 W,

5851 ft +,- 5 ft ASL

Norfolk International 

Terminal

36.91552 N, 76.32245 W,

159 ft +,- 5 ft ASL

Hampton 

University Tower

37.02578 N, -76.34120 W,

231 ft +,- 5 ft ASL

State of Current Efforts

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D. Sensor site selections

▫ Task 2 (Always On DPA) – Camp Pendleton. Initial site survey completed, site access 

requested & coordination in progress

▫ Task 1 (Coastal DPAs) – East 1: initial surveys conducted and West 14 upcoming focus. 

E. Modeling

▫ Incorporating methods and industry provided data to better inform site selections. 

F. Test Plan development

▫ Task 1- Fundamentals to test plan to be informed by Workshop input

▫ Task 3 - (Active Experimentation with Navy Ship) – Initial signal of opportunity events 

encouraging, looking to inform further through Workshop input

State of Current Technical Efforts: Stage 3

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nasctn@nist.gov

Contact Us

NASCTN Program:

▫ https://www.nist.gov/ctl/nasctn

Updates on the Project:

▫ https://www.nist.gov/programsprojects/cbrs-sharing-ecosystem-assessment

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END of Deck

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50

Comments Matrix for NASCTN Test Plan
South Tower, Site

Norfolk International Terminal Sensor

NIT Sensor, Installation

Latitude 36.91552 deg

Longitude -76.32245 deg

Azimuth N/A

Elevation 0 deg +,- 3 deg

AGL estimate 45 m

AMSL (WGS-84) 48.5 m +, - 1.5 m

Omni-Directional: HG3509U-PRO

Gain 9.0 dBi

Slant Pol Vertical

Horizontal 360 deg

Vertical HPBW 11 deg

https://www.l-com.com/Images/Downloadables/Datasheets/ds_HG3509U-PRO.pdf

51

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT
Hampton University Tower

Hampton University Tower Sensor

HU Sensor, Installation

Latitude 37.02578 deg

Longitude -76.34120 deg

Azimuth N/A

Elevation 0 deg +,- 3 deg

AGL estimate 65.5 m

AMSL (WGS-84) 70.4 m +, - 1.5 m

Omni-Directional: HG3509U-PRO

Gain 9.0 dBi

Slant Pol Vertical

Horizontal 360 deg

Vertical HPBW 11 deg

https://www.l-com.com/Images/Downloadables/Datasheets/ds_HG3509U-PRO.pdf

https://www.downtownhampton.com/the-docks

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02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT
Verification, Bench Calibration, and Acceptance

Cal Probe

On-board 

Cal Unit

Data Product

NIST Radiometer

RF Signal + 

Processing Chain

(dB)

NIST Traceable Calibration Probe, Reference ENR

53

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT
On-site Calibration Verification

• Calibration was verified 

at the antenna port post 

install (--) with the 

Calibration Probe

• Systems are within 1 dB 

of Lab Verification

• Collected S11 of asinstalled Antennas for 

cascaded uncertainty 

analysis

https://nistgov.sharepoint.com/:f:/r/sites/SEA/Shared%20Documents/General/Stage%203/PrototypeTeam/VBA/Onboard_Cal_Data?csf=1&web=1&e=NqCtnu

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02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT
Proposed Install Zone options:

• Good vantage, permanent structures and 

possible shore AC power. 

• There are several possibilities for mounting 

• CBRS reception was limited but anticipated to 

improve with elevated antenna

• Good vantage, CBRS reception, and 

power infrastructure

• Recent approval for a NSWC Dahlgren 

effort, co-location may prove insightful 

for longitudinal studies and comparisons 

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02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT
Backup Example using “Line of Sight (LOS)” terrain analysis for site refinement

Example Backup Site Comparison: New Site compared to HLZ San Mateo, Site #12:

• Alternate Site Benefits:

▫ Improved / clearer LOS to CBSD(s) in San Clemente area, therefore better vantage to potential CBRS signals

▫ However, modeling does not show improvement in signal levels – most likely due to low # of CBRS devices?

▫ Suggest using location for long term CBRS monitoring and raising antenna to 20-25 ft to get better signal reception

Site: 12

Site: 26

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57

Measured vs. Calculated Aggregate Emissions

Estimated aggregate emissions in each 10 MHz at GMM sensor using 

different propagation models/configurations:

• ITM (95th percentile) and ITM (reliability = 0.5)

• ITM/eHata hybrid (reliability = 0.5) and free space 

Measured max/mean powers in each 10 MHz at GMM sensor:

• CBSD activities found in many channels in (3550 to 3650) MHz

• ~20 dB difference between max and mean values

Findings:

• ITM model overestimates the aggregate emissions for all channels

• eHata/ITM hybrid model provides estimates closer to the measured max powers

• Note, hybrid model adjusts the Tx-er/Rx-er heights (i.e., height_tx >=20 m, height_rx = 1.5 m), 

and it depends on the Tx-er region type (‘URBAN’, ‘SUBURBAN’, ‘RURAL’) 02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

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• The table below is total data transfer from 20 sensors for one month

• 20 sensors uploading data

• ITS hub downloading data from 20 sensors

• "Data size" refers to data product file size for measurement of entire CBRS 

band

Backup – Data Transfer Estimates (Monthly)

Seconds per Acquisition

10 60 90 300

Data Size

406 kB 4.35 TB725 GB483 GB145 GB

88.5 kB 948 GB158 GB105 GB31.6 GB

14.3 kB 153 GB25.5 GB17.0 GB5.11 GB

6.15 kB 65.9 GB11.0 GB7.32 GB2.20 GB

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT

02/22/2023 – DRAFT – POSTED FOR PUBLIC INPUT