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Communications Technology Laboratory

National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN)

The National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network (NASCTN) is a multi-agency-chartered partnership that organizes a national network of federal, academic, and commercial test facilities. It provides testing, modeling and analysis necessary to develop and deploy spectrum-sharing technologies and inform future spectrum policy and regulations.

OVERVIEW

NASCTN is hosted within the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) at NIST.

Since its inception in 2015, NASCTN has provided data insights and measurement results as a trusted, neutral program.

NASCTN members include the Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

MISSION

The mission of NASCTN is to provide, through its members, robust test processes and validated measurement data necessary to develop, evaluate and deploy spectrum sharing technologies that can thoughtfully improve access to the spectrum by both Federal agencies and non-federal spectrum users.

FUNCTIONS

Developing scientifically rigorous test plans and new methodologies with independent technical experts drawn from member agencies

Identifying and facilitating access to key test facilities, equipment, and capabilities

Providing oversight so that tests are performed according to the test plan

Incorporating tailor-made measurements and statistical analysis techniques to advance spectrum science

Publish validated results, models, and machine-readable datasets while protecting proprietary, classified, and sensitive information

PROCESS

NASCTN projects follow an open, transparent, and comprehensive process, laid out in five-stages. This Framework serves as a common architecture across its diverse spectrum sharing projects.

SUBMIT A SPECTRUM SHARING MEASUREMENT REQUEST

To submit a request for a test and execution plan for a Spectrum Sharing Measurement Project, please complete the NASCTN spectrum sharing test request submission form and submit via email to the NASCTN Program: nasctn [at] nist.gov (nasctn[at]nist[dot]gov)