Cellular Bandwidth Computation Using Shared Spectrum Classes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current spectrum sharing models in cellular networks fail to efficiently calculate the required shared spectrum resources to ensure minimum Quality of Service (QoS) for end-users, particularly in densely populated areas, and do not effectively differentiate between various classes of shared spectrum, leading to potential interference and cost inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that calculate the required spectrum resources by using coverage probability thresholds and dynamic access probability to determine when to lease bandwidth from fee-paying, exclusively allocated shared spectrum, incorporating two distinct baseband architectures (centralized and distributed) and two shared spectrum classes with different access rights and interference protection, ensuring minimum average user throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If spectrum sharing is enabled to increase bandwidth availability, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but interference between entities and QoS predictability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidinterference between entities
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments shared spectrum into two distinct classes: commonly-shared spectrum (first class) and exclusively-shared spectrum (second class). This segmentation allows different interference protection levels and access rights for each class, enabling the system to provide bandwidth capacity through spectrum sharing while controlling interference through differentiated access mechanisms and QoS parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If open spectrum sharing is allowed for multiple entities, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but QoS guarantees deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidQoS guarantees
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different QoS characteristics to different spectrum classes. The first class (commonly-shared) provides best-effort access with no QoS guarantees, while the second class (exclusively-shared) provides guaranteed QoS through dedicated resources. This allows the system to maintain high spectrum efficiency through open sharing in the first class while ensuring QoS guarantees in the second class for entities that require reliable service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If exclusively-shared spectrum is leased to ensure QoS, then QoS reliability is improved, but cost for cellular operators deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS reliabilityVSAvoidcost for cellular operators
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic QoS parameter determination based on channel conditions, traffic load, and subscription information. The network node dynamically adjusts QoS parameters for exclusively-shared spectrum access, allowing operators to optimize the balance between QoS reliability and cost. When channel conditions are good or traffic load is low, fewer exclusively-shared resources are needed, reducing cost. When conditions deteriorate, more resources are allocated to maintain QoS reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If differentiated spectrum classes are implemented, then interference management is improved, but system complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified spectrum sharing framework that handles both commonly-shared and exclusively-shared spectrum through a single set of core mechanisms. The network node performs centralized management for both spectrum classes using common procedures for QoS parameter determination, resource allocation, and interference coordination. This universal approach manages interference effectively while avoiding the complexity of completely separate management systems for each spectrum class.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3357269B1Method and system for computing bandwidth requirement in a cellular network
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 THE PROVOST FELLOWS FDN SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIV TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH
  • EP3357269B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3357269B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3357269B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided a method and system for computing a bandwidth requirement for a cellular operator from shared spectrum in a cellular network, the shared spectrum comprising at least one shared spectrum class which is accessible by multiple entities, the method comprising: computing an average user throughput in the cellular network; comparing the average user throughput to a target minimum average user throughput, taking into account an average percentage of users within coverage and a coverage probability threshold; and based on the comparison, computing an additional bandwidth requirement from the at least one shared spectrum class.