1. SEAMCAT 5 New functionalities for sharing and compatibility studies
Peter Faris
Spectrum expert
European Communications Office
8th September 2016
José Carrascosa (ECO)

2. Introduction to SEAMCAT
Presentation outline
Introduction to SEAMCAT
What is SEAMCAT and why is it necessary?
The Monte Carlo method
Software overview
SEAMCAT development
Context, history and objectives
New features in SEAMCAT 5
Improvements to flexibility, reliability, computation speed, user-friendliness
Summary
Where can I download SEAMCAT and access documentation?

3. Part 1 - Introduction to SEAMCAT
José Carrascosa (ECO)

4. Why SEAMCAT? (1/2) Congestion in the radio spectrum resource
Higher penetration of wireless communications leads to increased congestion in the radio frequency spectrum resource.
Radiocommunication systems need to share the resource efficiently.
Sharing and compatibility studies are required to assess the possibilities for radio systems to coexist in the same or in adjacent frequency bands.
The higher penetration of wireless communications in recent years has led to increased congestion in the radio frequency spectrum.
As a result, radiocommunication systems must find a way to share the resource efficiently.
For this purpose, sharing and compatibility studies need to be carried out to investigate the possibilities for systems to coexist in the same or in adjacent frequency bands
Figure: Radio spectrum applications in Europe in the 440 – 942 MHz range , obtained from the ECO Frequency Information System (EFIS):
José Carrascosa (ECO)

5. Realistic modelling of complex compatibility scenarios is needed
Why SEAMCAT? (2/2) Need for tools that lead to effective radio spectrum use
Classic analytical methods, like the Minimum Coupling Loss method, tend to be pessimistic overestimating the interference conditions between wireless systems.
Realistic modelling of complex compatibility scenarios is needed
Monte Carlo simulations lead to more efficient use of the radio spectrum as they are able to simulate close-to-reality co-existence scenarios.
To manage the spectrum resource in an effective and efficient manner, it is necessary to develop methods and tools that are capable of modelling complex compatibility scenarios realistically. They in turn will determine if coexistence between different systems can be achieved.
Classic analytical methods like the Minimum Coupling Loss, tend to be pessimistic in the assessment of the necessary isolation between systems to avoid interference.
The most important characteristics of the MCL method are:
• the result generated is isolation in dB, which may be converted into a physical separation if an appropriate path loss formula is chosen
• it is simple to use and does not require a computer for implementation
• it is a worst case analysis and produces a spectrally inefficient result
• the victim receiver is assumed to be operating 3 dB above reference sensitivity
• a single interferer transmitting at fixed (usually the maximum) power and using a single channel is considered.
José Carrascosa (ECO)

6. What is SEAMCAT? (1/2) Spectrum Engineering Advanced Monte Carlo Analysis Tool
Open Source software tool
Free of cost
Based on the Monte Carlo simulation method for statistical modelling of interference scenarios between radio communication systems
A free of cost, open-source software tool, SEAMCAT performs calculations based on the Monte Carlo simulation method for statistical modelling of different radio interference scenarios. It has been developed to analyse a diverse range of complex spectrum engineering and radio compatibility problems. It aims to obtain close-to-reality results, increasing the chances of using the radio spectrum efficiently.
The source code can be downloaded free of charge after signing a licence agreement. Further information is to be found at the SEAMCAT Source Code page:
The source code can be downloaded free of charge after signing a licence agreement. Further information is to be found at the SEAMCAT Source Code page:
José Carrascosa (ECO)

7. SEAMCAT is intended for:
What is SEAMCAT? (2/2)
SEAMCAT is intended for:
Co-existence studies between radio communication systems operating in the same or adjacent frequency bands
Simulation of systems operating mainly under terrestrial services (some scenarios involving satellite systems are also possible)
Quantification of the probability of interference (probability that one system is interfered by one or more other systems)
It is not designed for system planning purposes
SEAMCAT is intended for:
Co-existence studies between radio communication systems operating in the same or adjacent frequency bands
Simulating systems operating mainly under terrestrial services (some scenarios involving satellite systems are possible)
Quantification of the probability of interference (probability that one system is interfered by one or more other systems)
It is not designed for system planning purposes
José Carrascosa (ECO)

8. Brief introduction to the Monte Carlo method (1/2)
The Monte Carlo method is based on a set of computational algorithms that use randomness to solve problems that might be difficult to solve using a deterministic approach
It allows solving of problems that have a probabilistic interpretation and are very useful for simulating systems which involve many variable parameters
In general, Monte Carlo methods refer to a set of computational algorithms that allow using randomness to solve problems that might be difficult to solve using a deterministic approach. They allow solving problems that have a probabilistic interpretation and are very useful for simulating systems which involve many variable parameters.
This is particularly the case with radiocommunication systems, which are defined by many parameters that vary in real operating conditions. Furthermore, if the aim is to assess the interaction of many systems, the number of variables involved in the exercise substantially increases.
José Carrascosa (ECO)

9. Brief introduction to the Monte Carlo method (2/2)
In the Monte Carlo method, parameters that vary can be defined as random variables with a given distribution.
The basic principle is the random sampling of these distributions at each simulation run (i.e. simulation event) in order to perform a given calculation.
Results of calculations obtained at each event can then be averaged across the total number of events.
The number of events required to produce a statistically representative result depends on the number of random variables included in a given scenario.
In the Monte Carlo method, parameters that vary can be defined as random variables with a given distribution. The basic principle of a Monte Carlo simulation is the random sampling of these distributions at each simulation run (i.e. simulation event) in order to perform a given calculation.
In a Monte Carlo simulation, In the Monte Carlo method, parameters that vary can be defined as random variables with a given distribution. The basic principle of a Monte Carlo simulation is the random sampling of these distributions at each simulation run (i.e. simulation event) in order to perform a given calculation.
In a Monte Carlo simulation, results of calculations obtained at each event can then be averaged across the total number of events. The number of events required to produce a statistically representative result depends on the number of random variables included in a given scenario.
José Carrascosa (ECO)

10. Compatibility scenario overview (1/3)
At each event, two systems are simulated:
Victim System
Interfering System
The victim system receiver receives two types of signals:
wanted signal from its corresponding transmitter.
interfering signal(s) originated at the interfering transmitter(s)

11. Compatibility scenario overview (2/3)
Two interference mechanisms are considered:
Unwanted emissions – a function of the leakage from the interfering transmitter
Blocking/selectivity – a function of the filtering of the victim receiver

12. Compatibility scenario overview (3/3)
Interference at the victim receiver is assessed according to a specified criteria:
For generic victim systems: C/(I+N), I/N, or (I+N)/N – binary result (interfered/not interfered) for each event
For cellular (CDMA or OFDMA) victim systems: relative capacity loss based on SINR to throughput mapping
The overall probability of interference can then be determined by averaging the results across all events

13. Software overview (1/3) Workspaces - Systems

14. Software overview (2/3) Workspaces - Scenario

15. Software overview (3/3) Simulation results

16. Part 2 - SEAMCAT development
José Carrascosa (ECO)

17. SEAMCAT development (1/3) Context
SEAMCAT is developed within the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).
The CEPT brings together the postal and telecommunications regulatory authorities of 48 European countries.
The European Communications Office (ECO), based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the permanent office supporting the CEPT.
SEAMCAT development is managed by the ECO in close cooperation with CEPT administrations, industry and academia.
The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations - CEPT - was established in 1959 by 19 countries, which expanded to 26 during its first ten years. Original members were the monopoly-holding postal and telecommunications administrations. CEPT's activities included co-operation on commercial, operational, regulatory and technical standardisation issues. Today 48 countries are members of CEPT.
The basic aim of CEPT is to strengthen the relations between members, promote their cooperation and contribute to the creation of a dynamic market in the field of European posts and electronic communications.
Its functions comprise:
Working out common views on the priorities and aims set in the field of posts and electronic communications;
Examining, in a European context, public policy and appropriate regulatory issues regarding posts and electronic communications, including the use of radio spectrum and numbering;
Promoting further European harmonisation, inter alia of the radio spectrum and numbering, with an emphasis on practical cooperation between European countries to help realise Europe-wide regulatory harmonisation;
Establishing necessary contacts and cooperation with the European Commission (EC), the Secretariat of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European organisations and associations (industry, operators, users, consumers, etc) dealing with postal and electronic communication matters;
Providing a forum for developing, adopting and promoting European common proposals in International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Universal Postal Union (UPU), including contacts with regional organisations, as appropriate;
Contributing to the establishment of prospective views (scenarios) of the future regulatory environment, taking into account technology and market development.
The European Communications Office (ECO), located in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the permanent office supporting the CEPT, its Presidency and its three Committees: the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC), the Committee for the International Telecommunications Union Policy (Com-ITU) and the Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP). The CEPT brings together the postal and telecommunications regulatory authorities of 48 European countries
José Carrascosa (ECO)

18. SEAMCAT development (2/3) History
First specified in the late 1990’s and gradually developed ever since
Recent versions:
4.1.0 (October 2013)
5.0.0 (January 2016)
5.0.1 (April 2016)
Version is expected to be released in Autumn 2016
José Carrascosa (ECO)

19. SEAMCAT development (3/3) Objectives
To produce a platform for assessing the compatibility among various wireless communication systems in a realistic manner that is:
Flexible
Reliable
Fast
User-friendly
Recognised
Efforts on SEAMCAT development aim to produce a recognised, flexible and reliable platform for assessing the compatibility among various radio systems in a realistic manner, with satisfactory computation speed and user-friendliness
José Carrascosa (ECO)

20. Part 3 - SEAMCAT 5 new features
José Carrascosa (ECO)

21. Flexibility (1/2) SEAMCAT libraries
System parameters library
Plugin library:
Antenna plugins (AP) with pre-defined patterns, and now possible to add user-defined equation based patterns
Propagation model plugins (PMP) with built-in and user-defined models
Event Processing Plugins (EPP): new functionality to allow user to perform scenario specific calculations, or extract intermediate results

22. Flexibility (2/2) Event Processing Plugins
Event Processing Plugins (EPPs) allow users to extend SEAMCAT core functionalities by implementing their own algorithms, using a common interface.
Example: intermodulation calculation

23. Reliability (1/3) Save and share workspaces and results
SEAMCAT allows saving of workspaces and simulation results (now in a separate file).
Stakeholders can share and verify workspaces and results.

24. Reliability (2/3) Access to a complete list of calculations
After running a simulation, a detailed list of settings and calculations is available.

25. Reliability (3/3) Extract intermediate results: Play/Replay
In doubt of a specific event?
Use the Play/replay feature
List of results per event
Log trace of the calculation for that event

26. User-friendliness (1/2) Graphical User Interface
New GUI separate systems from the scenarios
Step 1: Workspaces
Load an existing workspace, or
Create your own workspace and load your system components from the libraries
Step 2: Modify system components and parameters as appropriate.
Step 3: Set your scenario (positioning of elements and propagation models)
Step 4: Add EPPs if so required
Step 5: Simulate
Step 6: Check results (final and intermediate)
Step 7: Save and share workspaces and results

27. User-friendliness (2/2) Consistency checks
Consistency checks help users to verify parameters entered in a workspace and correct any error before running a simulation.

28. Recognition Used across the world in administrations, industry and academia
SEAMCAT is a recognised tool
Source: google analytics on visits to the page in 2015.
José Carrascosa (ECO)

29. Part 4 - Summary
José Carrascosa (ECO)

30. SEAMCAT 5 in brief
Realistic tool for modelling complex compatibility scenarios between wireless systems, thanks to the power of the Monte Carlo method.
Flexible, thanks to libraries for system parameters and plugins.
Reliable, thanks to the possibility of saving and sharing workspaces and full simulation results, accessing a complete list of calculations and extracting intermediate results.
Faster, thanks to parallel processing.
User-friendly, thanks to recent GUI improvements, the addition of consistency checks for workspace parameters, and updates to the available documentation
Recognised by administrations, industry and academia across the world
Efforts on SEAMCAT development aim to address the challenge, and to produce a recognised, flexible and reliable platform for assessing the compatibility among various radio systems in a realistic manner, with satisfactory computation speed and user-friendliness:
The power of the Monte Carlo method is key for realistic modelling of complex compatibility scenarios between radiocommunication systems.
Flexibility is achieved through the availability of libraries for system parameters and plugins. These libraries are continuously growing.
Increased reliability is attained by enabling saving and sharing of workspaces and full simulation results. It is possible to access a complete list of calculations. Furthermore, running simulations in debug mode and being able to extract intermediate results thanks to the play/replay feature also contribute to this aim.
The introduction of parallel processing and the optimisation of complex algorithms aim to achieve a higher computation speed.
Improvements to the graphical interface, the addition of consistency checks for workspace parameters, and updates to the available documentation seek to produce a tool which is more user-friendly.
SEAMCAT is already a recognised tool and it is used inside and outside the CEPT by administrations, industry and academia. Its promotion though workshops and seminars aims to broaden its use.
José Carrascosa (ECO)

31. Where can I download SEAMCAT?
SEAMCAT can be downloaded free of charge at:

32. Where can I find documentation
Where can I find documentation? SEAMCAT Handbook - over 400 pages of documentation
The latest official version of the SEAMCAT handbook was approved end of April 2016.
It can be downloaded here:

33. Thank you! Any questions?
Peter Faris