Spatial Analysis of Channel Occupancy in the 2.4 GHz ISM Band Using Mobile Spectrum Measurements

This paper investigates the variation of channel occupancy in the 2.4 GHz SIM band within an urban environment. The measurement campaign was conducted using Aaronia instrumentation, specifically Spectran V5 real-time spectrum analyzer connected to a 3D IsoLOG antenna and a GPS Logger, which recorded the geographical coordinates corresponding to each measurement. Both devices were mounted on a vehicle and configured to collect synchronized data at a rate of one recording per second. The analyzer captured the signal power levels in an 88 MHz real-time bandwidth, while the GPS Logger provided precise spatial information. Measurements were performed in various urban settings within the city of Sibiu, including residential neighborhoods, major roadways and peripheral areas. The collected data were post-processed to extract key metrics such as average and maximum field strength values, as well as channel occupancy levels across 2.4 GHz frequency band. The results offer valuable insights into the spatial distribution of spectrum usage in urban environments, which are critical for optimizing wireless network deployment, mitigating interference and promoting efficient spectrum utilization.