Spectrum Monitoring

TCI to Host Spectrum Management User Group Forum for Nations Across Africa

Fremont, CA — For nations in all parts of the world, the radio frequency (RF) spectrum is a realm as demanding of monitoring and protection as the physical territory a country occupies. To enhance the capabilities of those using TCI spectrum management systems (SMS) in Africa, the company will host spectrum specialists from across the continent at a User Group Forum in Gaborone, Botswana from February 23-25 of this year.

Hosted by the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), this Forum will provide an opportunity for the free exchange of ideas and experiences between subject-matter experts from TCI and African regulatory professionals as it applies to each nation’s growing communications infrastructure.

The spectrum monitoring and management mission plays a key role in developing countries. It enforces the licensing rules that enable broadcasters and wireless telecommunications providers to effectively use the radio-frequency spectrum. And it helps identify and eliminate sources of interference that degrade radio, television and communications signals, including vital frequencies used for aviation, maritime operations and emergency services.

Forum attendees will cover topics that include operational best practices and user tips, new trends in SMS applications and equipment and locating the sources of radio signals using the latest hybrid geolocation technology. Advances to be highlighted at the Forum will include TCI’s Model 709 Compact Spectrum Monitoring System (CSMS). The Model 709 is TCI’s next generation ITU-compliant CSMS built to detect and locate modern signals of interest for spectrum allocation and optimization, interference mitigation, public safety and national security missions, using modern Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) technology.

Leveraging TCI’s 50-year legacy of designing, deploying and maintaining spectrum monitoring solutions, the Model 709 offers advantages to regulators that minimize maintenance and training requirements. These features combine to reduce costs for initial procurement and installation as well as recurring costs for site leases and data links to provide an industry-leading low cost of ownership.

While enhancing their spectrum management skills and knowledge, these attendees will also inform the ongoing development of future advances in TCI spectrum management technology.

About TCI
TCI International, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPX Corporation. TCI provides spectrum monitoring, direction finding and signals intelligence solutions to civilian, government and military agencies, as well as antennas for communications and high-power radio broadcasting. TCI is headquartered in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.tcibr.com.

New Contract Continues TCI Development of Thai National Radio Monitoring System

Fremont, CA – The National Broadcast and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of the Kingdom of Thailand has awarded TCI a contract for 32 remote Radio Monitoring stations and four Operator Control Centers.

The TCI offer, which earned the highest technical score in the bidding competition, involves responsibility for supply, installation, testing, training and monitoring at sites in four administrative regions of the country.

The 32 remote stations to be provided under the contract are fixed sites based on the TCI Model 737 Spectrum Monitoring and Hybrid Geolocation System paired with TCI 643 Dual Polarized Antennas. The system supports monitoring and direction finding across a frequency range from 20 MHz to 3 GHz. All stations can be directed remotely from their corresponding Operator Control Centers. TCI Scorpio ITU-compliant, client-server software will provide state-of-the-art, graphic tools for the control of spectrum monitoring and geolocation activities. This project continues TCI’s legacy in the development and installation of innovative, field-proven hybrid precision geolocation technology. TCI’s Model 737 combines ITU-compliant spectrum monitoring and direction finding with time distance of arrival (TDOA) techniques in a compact, emitter geolocation solution that meets the demanding requirements of regulatory agencies worldwide.

This contract builds on TCI’s previous contributions to the continuing development of Thailand’s National Radio Monitoring System. In a prior phase, TCI supplied 13 remote stations that now keep watch over the spectrum in the country’s Northern and Eastern regions.

Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority Contracts with TCI to Add Mobile Spectrum Monitoring Capabilities

Fremont, CA — Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has contracted with TCI for an ITU-compliant mobile radio monitoring and DF station as well as a spectrum monitoring control center. Signed on June 9, 2015, the contract is the first awarded to TCI by NTRA.

NTRA’s mobile monitoring and DF station consists of an ITU-type III GMC Savana integrated with a TCI Model 737 system — the highest-performance member of TCI’s family of spectrum monitoring systems. Assigned to monitor and DF frequencies from 20 MHz to 8 GHz, this mobile station will be equipped with a TCI 647 antenna.

NTRA’s Control Center will feature TCI’s ITU-compliant client-server Scorpio™ spectrum monitoring software to perform complex analytics on digitally modulated signals. The control center will also employ powerful Scorpio options such as Field Strength Mapping, Spectrum Analyzer, Alarms and Realtime DF.

About TCI
TCI International, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPX Corporation. TCI provides spectrum monitoring, direction finding, and signals intelligence solutions to civilian, government and military agencies, as well as antennas for communications and high-power radio broadcasting. TCI is headquartered in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.tcibr.com.

TCI to Expand Malaysia’s National Spectrum Monitoring Capabilities with Turnkey Hybrid AOA/TDOA Geolocation Systems

Fremont, CA – TCI has signed a contract with prime contractor Rexaco to expand Malaysia’s National Spectrum Monitoring and Control System (NASMOC) capabilities. Signed on August 18, 2015, this contract will equip the NASMOC with four AOA/TDOA clusters that provide Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) with precision hybrid geolocation technology.

Strategically located to maximize monitoring and geolocation efforts, these clusters will be located in Kuala Lampur, Seremban, Shah Alam and Sepang.

These advanced hybrid systems will cover a range of 9 kHz to 8 GHz for monitoring, 20 MHz to 8 GHz for DF, and 20 MHz to 6 GHz for TDOA geolocation. Each system will consist of a combination of TCI Model 737 monitoring and DF stations working in concert with TCI TDOA sensors.

Each of the four Model 737 systems will feature TCI Model 647D antennas optimized for dual-polarized VHF/UHF/SHF monitoring and DF. They will be complimented by TCI 7031 antennas to provide wideband HF monitoring down to 9 kHz.

TCI’s TDOA component will include TCI 707 monitoring sensors and TCI’s dual-polarized monitoring antennas to cover a frequency range of 20 MHz to 6 GHz.

These networked clusters will be controlled by TCI’s powerful ITU-compliant Scorpio client-server spectrum monitoring software.

Under this contract, TCI will also provide spare parts, training, factory acceptance, project management and field implementation support services.

TCI Announces Dates for 2015 Technical Training Seminar

Fremont, CA – TCI, a leader in world-class spectrum monitoring systems recently announced that it will hold its annual Technical Training Seminar on October 12-15, 2015. Hosted at TCI headquarters in Fremont, California, this year’s course will be a fast paced, in-depth, week of training covering spectrum monitoring, direction finding, spectrum management, as well as maintenance and operation of spectrum monitoring equipment.

Individuals attending the seminar will work hands-on alongside TCI engineers and fellow spectrum professionals. This curriculum will provide individuals with tools to better perform their day to day duties as well as an excellent setting to network and exchange ideas with like-minded students from around the world.

The TCI Technical Training Seminar is an advanced training course intended for individuals that have daily, hands-on experience with TCI spectrum monitoring and management equipment and software. Those who attend should have prior knowledge and experience with spectrum monitoring and management concepts and practices. Individuals that would most benefit from this training may perform one or more of the following as their daily duties:

Spectrum Monitoring – occupancy measurements, direction finding, field strength measurements, quality of service.
Spectrum Management – data entry and collection, type approval, interference analysis, licensing, frequency allocation, violation and complaint resolution.
Maintenance – maintaining and troubleshooting TCI equipment.

The deadline for acceptance for TCI’s 2015 Training Seminar is September 1, 2015. To RSVP, or for more information, please contact Dennis Bathke, TCI Customer Support Lead, Dennis.Bathke@spx.com or +1.510.687.6123.

About TCI
TCI International, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPX Corporation. TCI provides spectrum monitoring, direction finding and signals intelligence solutions to civilian, government and military agencies, as well as antennas for communications and high-power radio broadcasting. TCI is headquartered in Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.tcibr.com.

The Kingdom of Swaziland Selects TCI for Inaugural National Spectrum Monitoring System

Fremont, CA – The Swaziland Communications Commission (SCCOM) of the Kingdom of Swaziland has chosen TCI to deliver a turnkey national spectrum monitoring system. This inaugural system will include four fixed sites featuring monitoring, direction finding and hybrid geolocation capabilities, one mobile monitoring and DF station as well as a spectrum management control center. Signed on June 17, 2015, the contract is the first awarded to TCI by SCCOM.

Two fixed sites will consist of TCI Model 737 monitoring and DF systems covering the frequency range of 20 MHz to 8 GHz. These systems will be complemented by TCI Model 707 fixed sensor stations covering the frequency band of 20 MHz to 3 GHz. The overall network of fixed, mobile and sensor stations will provide monitoring, DF and hybrid geolocation capabilities utilizing Angle of Arrival (AOA) and Time Distance of Arrival (TDOA) measurements. This network will be accompanied by handheld spectrum analyzers with portable antennas to monitor from 9 kHz to 40 GHz and a handheld receiver with portable antennas covering the frequency range of 9 KHz to 6 GHz. TCI will develop each site, install towers as well as shelters and fencing.

The TCI Model 737 mobile station will feature a 4-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser. Similar to the fixed Model 737 sites, this mobile station is capable of monitoring and DF frequencies from 20 MHz to 8 GHz.

Swaziland’s National Spectrum Management Center located in Mbabane will feature TCI’s Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS) software for network administration efforts. SCCOM’s Spectrum Management and Control Center will be networked to the fixed and mobile stations utilizing TCI’s ITU-compliant Scorpio™ client-server spectrum monitoring software.

TCI’s extensive spectrum monitoring system contract for SCCOM also includes factory and on-site training, factory acceptance, project management, field implementation and supervision, as well as spare parts and an optional three or five-year maintenance contract.