This course is targeted at engineers and officers tasked with planning, engineering, monitoring, and operating radio systems in developing and least-developed countries. Participants will be drawn from national regulatory authorities, fixed and mobile operators, broadcasters, service providers, government, military, security agencies, Aeronautical, maritime, meteorological, PMR Radio operators, Science, and academia.  

Participants are expected to have completed SMTP OM 1, OM 2 and OM 3 or have knowledge in Spectrum Management. Participants are also expected to be working for a regulator, or in the ICT/Telecoms sector as a provider or consultant. 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:  

• Describe the role, functions and basic techniques of spectrum monitoring. 
• Describe the purpose and capabilities of different types of spectrum monitoring equipment. 
• Describe monitoring tasks (checklists) and analyze their results (results list), as well as individually plan essential spectrum monitoring operations and measurements. 

This course will be delivered using instructor-led online learning. The course is delivered using PowerPoint slides posted on the course page and selected reference materials that the participants have to study each week, participate in scheduled activities, and undertake self-assessments. Students will reinforce their understanding of the topics studied by drawing on their specific environments and are encouraged to consult with experienced colleagues who are working on a relevant topic. The following methods will be used for this course 

• Self-study of PPTs and reference materials 
• Instructor led presentations and discussions through ZOOM on Monday and Wednesday from 1500 Hours to 1700 Hours EAT (GMT+3) 
• Forum discussions through the ITU Academy portal  

The evaluation is based on: 

• Participation in all the four Forums (10%) 
• Quiz week 1 (10%) 
• Quiz week 2 (10%) 
• Quiz week 3 (10%) 
• Quiz week 4 (10%) 
• End of course assignment (50%). 

A total score higher than 70% is required to obtain the ITU certificate. 

WEEK  1 

• Purpose and Role of monitoring in the spectrum management process. 
• ITU’s role and structure, with focus on ITU-R, Study Group SG1 and its Working Party 1C in particular. 
• Radio Regulations, with focus on various articles related to monitoring. 
• ITU-R Recommendations and Reports related to monitoring 

Training activities details 

Live Lecture and discussion: Monday and Wednesday  

Read Week 1 course materials 

Forum 1: Why is Spectrum Monitoring important in your country and what roles does it play in overall frequency usage by operators and service providers? 

Why are Radio Regulations important and how are they used by your monitoring team to ensure compliance with all the clauses of the Regulations by Operators in your country? 

Exercise on the Monitoring Software 

Attempt Quiz 1 

WEEK 2 

Typical measurements conducted by monitoring 

• Occupancy measurements 
• Bandwidth measurements 
• Field strength measurements 
• Modulation measurements 
• Frequency measurements 

Training activities details 

Live Lecture and discussion: Monday and Wednesday  

Read Week 2 course materials 

Forum 2: Which measurements are carried out by your Spectrum Monitoring team and why are they important in terms of QoS and Spectrum efficiency? 

Exercise on the Spectrum Monitoring Software 

Attempt Quiz 2 

WEEK 3 

Principles of various types of monitoring equipment (manuals) 

• Antennas 
• Receivers 

Training activities details 

Live Lecture and discussion: Monday and Wednesday 

Read Week 3 course materials 

Forum 3: How are Radio Regulations used in monitoring in your country?  

Exercise on the spectrum monitoring software 

Attempt Quiz 3 

WEEK 4 

Principles of various types of monitoring equipment (manuals) (Cont.) 

• Direction finders 
• Spectrum analyzers 

Training activities details 

Live Lecture and discussion: Monday and Wednesday 

Read Week 4 course materials 

Forum 4: How are Radio Regulations used to reduce cases of harmful interference? 

Exercise on the Spectrum Monitoring Software 

Attempt Quiz 4 

End of course assignment: You have been nominated by your company to come up with a design and RFP for a new automated spectrum monitoring system. The system shall be integrated into the Spectrum management database and NTFA. Take into consideration ITU-T and ITU-R Regulations. Mention the important functions the system shall perform and the expected reports and output data.