Achieving spectrum conservation for the minimum span and minimum-order frequency assignment problems

Effective and efficient solution of frequency assignment problems assumes increasing importance as the radiofrequency spectrum experiences ever-increasing utilization by diverse communications services, requiring that the most efficient use of this resource be achieved. The research presented explores a general approach to the frequency assignment problem, in which such problems are categorized by the appropriate spectrum-conserving objective function, and are each treated as an N-job, M-machine scheduling problem appropriate for the objective. Results obtained and presented illustrate that such an approach presents an effective means of achieving spectrum-conserving frequency assignments for communications systems in a variety of environments.