Michael.Whittaker@futurepace.com.au, B Sc. (Physics), Grad. Dip. Electronics, has over 25 years experience in radio spectrum planning, working for the Australian Government beginning 1984, pioneering automated frequency assignment systems and publishing in that field. Michael led the introduction of flexible spectrum management techniques in Australia in 1994 becoming the principal architect of the manner of formulating conditions for flexible spectrum licences which consist of explicit transmit rights i.e. rights that define maximum radiated power at an antenna rather than maximum field strengths away from antennas and support either the outsourced or centralised regulatory authorisation of spectrum access for any type of technology and service. When correctly designed, the practical effect of such rights is to create precise levels of ‘guardspace isolation’ separately for, and in relation to, all interference mechanisms so that after trading sufficient spectrum, licensees have all the necessary inputs to independently and without further negotiation, including if desired, without an equipment standardisation process: design any type of new (innovative) technology and service; authorise the operation of the equipment; and efficiently self-manage interference. This approach is able to provide equitable spectrum access when dissimilar equipment is operated in adjacent spectrum spaces and create practical rules for authorising dynamic spectrum access by software reconfigurable devices including cognitive radio.
Michael was chairman of the Technical Liaison Group in 1997, a government sponsored industry consultative forum which established the licence conditions for 800 MHz and 1.8 GHz spectrum licences. Michael also later designed the 28/32 GHz and 3.4 GHz spectrum licence conditions and is now a director of Futurepace RF Solutions designing web-based online transmitter certification and authorisation services for outsourced self-management of interference, incorporating automated compliance and coordination checks and where required, integration of real time EMF/EMR human exposure management for complex shared sites at which those transmitters operate.