Coexistence Value Spectrum Broker for TV White Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in enabling fair and efficient wireless resource sharing between heterogeneous wireless networks to facilitate coexistence in TV white space bands, where existing technologies face difficulties in managing interference and allocating resources without disrupting primary users.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine a coexistence value for wireless networks based on parameters like the number of nodes, resource utilization, and priority, which characterizes eligibility for spectrum resources, and communicate this value to a network controller to facilitate fair resource sharing and coexistence among secondary networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple heterogeneous wireless networks share TV white space spectrum resources, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but interference management and resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum utilization efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spectrum broker as an intermediary entity that mediates resource allocation between primary and secondary networks. The broker collects coexistence values from secondary networks, processes this information centrally, and makes allocation decisions, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise be distributed across all network participants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the resource allocation problem into a parameter-based evaluation system where each secondary network is characterized by a coexistence value parameter. This parameter encapsulates multiple factors (priority, resource needs, interference potential) into a single metric that simplifies comparison and decision-making by the spectrum broker.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If secondary networks are allowed to use TV white space bands, then available spectrum resources increase, but risk of interference to primary users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailable spectrum resourcesVSAvoidinterference to primary users

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where secondary networks report their coexistence values to the spectrum broker, which then makes allocation decisions. The system continuously monitors and adjusts resource allocation based on reported parameters, ensuring that primary user protection requirements are met while allowing secondary network access to white space spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The spectrum broker acts as an intermediary that filters and manages access requests from secondary networks. It evaluates coexistence values and controls which secondary networks can operate in white space bands, thereby preventing interference to primary users while still enabling spectrum utilization by secondary networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fair resource sharing is implemented among heterogeneous networks, then coexistence capability is improved, but calculation and management overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoexistence capabilityVSAvoidcalculation overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies fair resource sharing by transforming complex multi-dimensional network characteristics into a single coexistence value parameter. This parameter aggregation reduces the computational burden of comparing and allocating resources among heterogeneous networks while maintaining the ability to account for priority, resource needs, and other fairness considerations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8412247B2Method for generating a coexistence value to define fair resource share between secondary networks

Publication Date: 2013.04.02 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to provide coexistence values for wireless resource sharing on a fair basis between heterogeneous wireless networks to enable coexistence of secondary networks. An example embodiment of the invention includes a method, comprising the steps of: determining a coexistence value for a wireless network based on parameters associated with the wireless network, including at least one of a number of nodes in the wireless network, a current resource allocation utilization rate of the wireless network, coexistence assistance by the wireless network to assist in operation of other networks, and/or a priority of the wireless network, wherein the coexistence value characterizes eligibility of the wireless network to wireless spectrum resources available to secondary networks; and communicating the determined coexistence value of the wireless network to an associated network controller. The resulting embodiments provide for wireless resource sharing on a fair basis between heterogeneous wireless networks to enable coexistence of secondary networks.