Mapping radio-frequency spectrum in a communication system

Abstract

Methods and systems for analyzing or mapping portions of the radio frequency spectrum are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a communication method is provided, with a first step of the method including receiving an electromagnetic energy from a portion of a radio frequency spectrum. The received energy is then sampled in the time domain, and subsequently converted into the frequency domain. The sampled energy, that is now in the frequency domain is analyzed, and at least one communication parameter is selected based on the analysis of the sampled energy. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

1 . A method of measuring energy present in a portion of a radio frequency spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an electromagnetic energy from a portion of a radio frequency spectrum;    sampling the received energy, the sampling occurring in a time domain; and    converting the sampled energy into a frequency domain.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of converting the sampled energy into the frequency domain comprises performing a Fourier Transform of the sampled energy.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of analyzing the sampled energy in the frequency domain.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of sampling the received energy in the time domain comprises sampling the received energy at a sampling rate that can range between about 1 picosecond to about 1 microsecond.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of periodically repeating the steps of receiving, sampling and converting.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication device performing the steps of receiving, sampling and converting in response to a received bit-error-rate at the communication device.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication device performing the steps of receiving, sampling and converting in response to a received signal strength indication at the communication device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication device performing the steps of receiving, sampling and converting, with the communication device employing at least one communication parameter selected from a group consisting of: an ultra-wideband pulse recurrence frequency; a power of transmission; an ultra-wideband pulse shape; a communication frequency band; a communication channel; and a modulation method.