1. José Carrascosa (ECO – SEAMCAT Project Manager)
INTRODUCTION TO SEAMCAT: Spectrum Engineering Monte Carlo Analysis Tool
José Carrascosa (ECO – SEAMCAT Project Manager)

2. Presentation outline Introduction to SEAMCAT
What is SEAMCAT, why we need it and who is using it?
Brief introduction to the Monte Carlo method
Schematic compatibility scenario
Software overview
SEAMCAT development
Context
Activities since 2007
Activities in 2016
Key goals of SEAMCAT development
Roadmap for 2017
Documentation
Live demo – a real study

3. Introduction to SEAMCAT
José Carrascosa (ECO)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. Who is using SEAMCAT ? Used accross the world in administrations, industry and academia
SEAMCAT is a recognised tool
Source: google analytics on visits to the page in 2016 (April to December 2016).
José Carrascosa (ECO)

9. Brief introduction to the Monte Carlo method (1/2 )
The Monte Carlo method is based on a set of computational algorithms that allow using randomness to solve problems that might be difficult to solve using a deterministic approach
It allows solving 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)

10. 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)

11. Schematic compatibility scenario
Two systems composed each by
one transmitter and one receiver:
Victim System
Interfering System
The victim receiver gets mainly two types of signals:
wanted signal from its corresponding transmitter.
interfering signal(s) originated at the interfering transmitter

12. Software overview Workspaces - Systems

13. Software overview Workspaces - Scenario

14. Software overview Simulation results

15. SEAMCAT development
José Carrascosa (ECO)

16. SEAMCAT development (1/6) Context
SEAMCAT is developed within the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).
SEAMCAT development is managed by the ECO in close cooperation with CEPT administrations, industry and academia.
Experts from CEPT administrations and industry contribute to the development of the tool within the ECC framework, attending meetings of the SEAMCAT Technical Group (STG), which reports to the Working Group Spectrum Engineering (WG SE) of the Electronic Communications Committee (ECC).
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)

17. SEAMCAT development (2/6) Activities since 2007
3.2.x
2010/2012
- LTE module
- Broadcasting features (overloading)
- Cognitive radio module
4.0.x / 4.1.0
2012 / 2013
- Enhancement of Graphical User Interface
- Libraries
- Start of code clean-up process
Preparation for 5.0.0
2013/2015
- Play / replay
- Event Processing Plugins
- Separation of Systems / Scenarios / Results

18. SEAMCAT development (3/6) Activities in 2016
5.0.0 January 2016
Play / replay
Event Processing Plugins
Separation of Systems / Scenarios / Results
5.0.1 April 2016
210 changes:
Blocking algorithm
Antenna angle calibration
GUI improvement
Library updates
Bug fixing
/2017
>~300 changes:
Systems as Plugins
Enhanced Antenna Plugins
Enhancement of cellular modules
More than 510 code improvements since version 5.0.0
Since the release of SEAMCAT in January 2016, STG has progressed a lot on the development of SEAMCAT. 210 modifications (change sets) have been made to the program between the versions and These modifications include enhancements to the graphical user interface (GUI) but most importantly improvements on the way SEAMCAT performs certain calculations (e.g. blocking algorithm, antenna angle calibration, etc.)
Thanks to the visibility that an official release provides, a number of bugs were identified with the release of 5.0.0, leading to the release of version that solved many of them.
After the release of version in April 2016, a new period of SEAMCAT development started in order to introduce the functionality “Systems as plugins”, which allows a greater flexibility in the use of SEAMCAT for compatibility studies. This development implied a major restructuration of the code in order to allow new systems to be defined and implemented as plug-ins, without the need to modify the core of the code.
Populating the SEAMCAT libraries is an important aspect for the development of the tool. In that respect, a close cooperation between ECC groups allows updating the libraries to respond to the needs for new compatibility studies.
It is intended an official release of SEAMCAT version in the upcoming months. This release will include some corrections identified since the release of version 5.0.0

19. SEAMCAT development (4/6) Key Goals
Recognition
Reliability
User friendliness
Computation speed
Flexibility
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. SEAMCAT development (5/6) Roadmap for 2017: SEAMCAT 6.0.0
Pause / resume simulations
Backend implementation
Automatic updates
News
GUI rationalisation
Web-based Interface
New systems: 5G
Restructuration of cellular modules
Updated documentation
SEAMCAT BUDGET for 2017 development
Subject to the Council’s approval of the budget, 2017 is planned to prepare the release of a new version of SEAMCAT, which is intended to include the following features:
Continuation of SEAMCAT development based on estimated backlog that will be left over at the end of This additional provision is also meant to cover unexpected tasks that usually appear in similar developments, like providing a response to issues identified by users resulting from a new version release, general maintenance and tasks requested by ECC PTs in the course of the year (53 k DKK).
Implementation of a new feature to pause and resume simulations, allowing interrupting a long simulation and recovering its execution at a latter point of time (23 k DKK).
Implementation of the SEAMCAT Backend functionality, which will provide a platform to connect SEAMCAT to updated information like new versions of plugins, which will be directly downloaded in the SEAMCAT tool; display news to the user related to SEAMCAT workshops, seminars and related documentation; warn users directly in SEAMCAT about the availability of new releases; host terrain data files to be used in user-developed propagation model plugins or event processing plugins (46 k DKK)
Rationalisation of the graphical user interface of the tool, aligning all modules to a unified presentation of windows, tabs and set of parameters with the intention to increase the user-friendliness of the tool (61 k DKK)
Implementation of a web-based user interface, allowing users to load or create new workspaces and run simulations from a web page hosted by one server at the ECO. This will be the first step towards a more complete solution scheduled for 2018 that will include the possibility to run simulations in self configured remote servers (cloud computing) (190 k DKK)
Update the SEAMCAT libraries with material provided by relevant ECC working groups and project teams. This activity has started in 2016 with the collection of information from some project teams (e.g. PT1) and will continue in 2017 by its translation into SEAMCAT components in the integrated library. This budget will include also the possibility for the development of new system plugins defined by relevant project teams (e.g. Machine-to-Machine Narrow Band Internet of Things, 5G) (165 k DKK)
Update the SEAMCAT online documentation, including the organisation of Workshops with the presence of the development team, preparation of presentations, exercises and related documentation (91 k DKK)
Update the SEAMCAT infrastructure to make it scalable and more aligned with the most recent project management methods (38 k DKK)
Include new plugin features to SEAMCAT as they become available from contributions to STG (Manhattan Grid, Finite datasets, Emission mask generator) (53 k DKK)
Restructuring the code from the cellular modules to make it more understandable to experts and to ease the implementation of new plugins based on these cellular modules (76 k DKK)
The total amount for the SEAMCAT budget for 2017 is therefore estimated to 700 k DKK.
These features have been validated at the 53rd STG meeting and endorsed by the 73rd WG SE meeting (both meetings took place in September 2016).

21. SEAMCAT development (6/6) Documentation
ECC Report 252 (SEAMCAT Handbook) approved for publication in April 2016:
440+ pages of documentation.
SEAMCAT Online manual, based on ECC Report 252, published online in August 2016, accessible here:

22. Live demo
José Carrascosa (ECO)

23. Thank you for your attention!
José Carrascosa (ECO)

24. Contact ECO ECO Nyropsgade 37, 4th floor 1602 Copenhagen Denmark
T: F: