The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has awarded Rohde & Schwarz a contract to upgrade and expand the country's spectrum management infrastructure by the beginning of 2016. The CAK through effective frequency management, can detect and prevent interference in radio communications services. This can be achieved by monitoring the electromagnetic spectrum and locating the position of suspect signals. The R&S UMS300 (part of the R&S UMS family), is a universal monitoring system that can accomplish these tasks quickly and reliably. It is the core of the new Rohde & Schwarz installation in Kenya. The system is enclosed in a compact weatherproof housing and can be mounted directly on top of the antenna mast. The resulting high system sensitivity makes it possible to precisely locate even weak signals and expands their detection range. Installation on masts or roofs also reduces infrastructure requirements. Mounting the hardware at a certain height makes it harder to reach, reducing the risk of damage and theft. Rohde & Schwarz will also provide training and maintenance services.
In the future, the HF/ VHF and UHF frequency spectrum will be monitored from eleven stationary monitoring and direction finding (DF) stations. Four all-road vehicles will also be equipped in order to extend the range of the DF base and fix the position of radio interferers while moving. The system is centrally controlled from Nairobi; an additional regional operation center is located in Mombasa. The Rohde & Schwarz system meets all the relevant requirements and recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations (UN) body that regulates the use of frequencies.
