Dynamic Spectrum Tier Switching for Bandwidth Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spectrum access systems face inefficiencies in utilizing shared frequency spectrum due to rigid tier-level prioritization, which can lead to underutilization of bandwidth and channel quality degradation, especially when networks with lower priority levels do not fully utilize higher priority channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a controller in a spectrum access system that allows for dynamic tier-level switching between networks based on monitored parameters such as channel quality and cost functions, enabling networks to temporarily switch to higher priority tiers when needed and share unused spectrum with other networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid tier-level prioritization is implemented in spectrum access systems, then priority networks can reliably access spectrum channels, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates when lower priority networks do not fully utilize higher priority channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum access reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic tier-level switching that allows networks to transition between different priority tiers based on real-time spectrum utilization conditions. When higher priority networks do not fully utilize their allocated spectrum, lower priority networks can dynamically switch to access those channels, thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization while maintaining reliable access through controlled transition mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of tier level assignment dynamically rather than maintaining fixed assignments. The controller monitors utilization metrics and adjusts tier level assignments in response to changing conditions, allowing the system to adapt between maintaining priority access reliability and maximizing bandwidth utilization efficiency based on current spectrum demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed tier-level assignments are maintained, then network priority and access rights are preserved, but channel quality deteriorates due to underutilization of available spectrum resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork priority structureVSAvoidchannel quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains network priority structure stability through controlled dynamic adjustments rather than fixed assignments. The tier-level switching mechanism preserves the hierarchical priority framework while allowing temporary assignments to lower priority networks when spectrum is underutilized, thereby maintaining channel quality by ensuring active utilization without compromising the overall priority structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements feedback mechanisms that monitor spectrum utilization and channel quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts tier-level assignments to maintain optimal channel quality - when utilization is low, lower priority networks gain access to improve quality through active use, and when demand increases, the system restores priority assignments to maintain the established network hierarchy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3652976B1Spectrum sharing with switching of tier levels between networks and/or devices
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3652976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3652976B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3652976B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Tier switching of spectrum access priority tier levels for networks in a multi-tier level spectrum access system is disclosed. The tier switching may be based on conditions in the networks to allow more efficient network/system operation. In an implementation, the switching of tier levels may be a swap of tier levels between a network/device and another network/device. In this case, the tier level of a network/device is switched or swapped with the tier level of another network/device and each network device operates at the tier level of the other network/device. In another implementation, the switching of tier levels may be a switching of tier levels used by a single network or a single device without any swap occurring with another network or device. In this case, the tier level of a network or device may be switched to another tier level for operation in the SAS.