Spectrum monitoring
Pursuant to the Law on Electronic Communications, the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL) is responsible for the RF spectrum monitoring on the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia, with its Monitoring Division and Monitoring and Measurement Centers being the organizational units tasked with these activities within the Agency.
Monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum includes verification of broadcasting parameters of the radio stations operating on the basis of issued licenses for the RF usage or under the general authorization regime, detection of the nature and location of the illegal radio emission sources and sources of harmful interferences, coupled with legal measures for the removal thereof, verification of requirement compliance regarding the broadcasting of radio signals agreed upon in coordination agreements signed with other countries, spectrum usability testing in specific radio frequency bands, as well as other activities needed to ensure unhindered operation of all radio communications devices and systems. Monitoring results are shared with other RATEL services and divisions tasked with planning and harmonization of the RF usage, thus completing the process of spectrum management activities.
The accelerated development of novel technologies in the field of wireless electronic communications has considerably multiplied the requirements set before a modern integrated RF spectrum monitoring system, indispensable for the completion of the above tasks.
RATEL’s RF spectrum monitoring system is comprised of two manned Monitoring and Measurement Centers in Belgrade and Niš respectively, five measurement vehicles equipped with special measuring devices and telescopic antenna masts, and a system of remotely controlled monitoring and measurement stations (RCMMS), equipped for low intensity signal measurement and geolocation of the emission sources in broader areas. The construction of remotely controlled monitoring and measurement stations was started in 2017, with nineteen RCMMS having been constructed and put in operation during the previous phases, thus enabling continuous monitoring of the situation in the ether on a broader national level. Another three RCMMS are planned to be put in operation in 2022.
The RF spectrum monitoring system also includes remotely controlled sensor stations installed at locations in Belgrade and Niš. The Monitoring Division teams use various portable measuring equipment enabling measurements in radio frequency bands up to 90 GHz.
The following phase of RF spectrum monitoring system expansion includes installation of a number of less complex, compact remotely controlled measuring stations (CRCMS), mostly intended for urban areas. In January 2022, construction and installation work at locations in Novi Sad were completed.
The networking of all the stations into an integrated RF spectrum monitoring system with a common software platform access to various measuring equipment will enable an even more efficient monitoring of the RF spectrum usage.
