Frequency Band Switching Without Re-Permission in CBRS

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency management system requires re-applying for permission to change frequency bands, which can lead to interruptions in radio wave transmission, especially when transitioning from a Priority Access (PAL) grant to a backup channel, due to constraints in the existing dynamic spectrum access mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A communication control device and method that allows for seamless frequency band changes without re-applying for permission by recommending and switching to a backup frequency band, using a communication control device with transmission and reception units to manage the change, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining service continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a CBSD applies for a grant to use a frequency channel, then it can perform radio wave transmission, but it cannot change frequency bands without re-applying for permission which causes service interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band flexibilityVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The SAS pre-approves backup frequency channels and maintains authorization information that allows CBSDs to switch frequency bands without re-applying. The system prepares alternative frequency channels in advance and maintains the authorization state, enabling seamless transitions when the primary channel becomes unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the current grant mechanism is used, then permission management is simplified, but frequency band changes require re-permissioning which causes transmission interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermission management simplicityVSAvoidservice interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The authorization information maintained by the SAS continues to be valid when a CBSD switches from one frequency channel to another. The grant authorization is not terminated during frequency band changes, allowing the useful action of radio wave transmission to continue without interruption while maintaining simplified permission management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If CPAS processing is completed before frequency change, then higher-tier protection is ensured, but service continuity cannot be maintained during the 24-hour processing period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigher-tier protectionVSAvoidservice availability duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The SAS pre-calculates and pre-approves backup frequency channels and maintains authorization information that allows immediate switching. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to wait for CPAS processing before frequency changes, ensuring both higher-tier protection and continuous service availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4132054B1Communication control device, communication control method, communication device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4132054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4132054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4132054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A change in a frequency band to be utilized to another frequency band without the necessity of newly getting a permission for utilization of the frequency band again is made possible. A communication control device according to the present disclosure includes: a first transmission unit that transmits recommendation information that recommends a second frequency band as a change destination of a first frequency band utilized by a communication device permitted with a permission identifier to utilize the first frequency band; a reception unit that receives request information that requests a change in a frequency band utilization of which is permitted with the permission identifier from the first frequency band to the second frequency band; and a second transmission unit that in a case where the request information includes the permission identifier, transmits permission information that permits a change in the frequency band utilization of which is permitted with the permission identifier from the first frequency band to the second frequency band.