Inter-SAS Spectrum Synchronization via a Shared Allocation Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) communications systems, there is a risk of interference between CBSDs associated with different SASs operated by different companies due to the lack of direct inter-SAS communication for spectrum-allocation coordination, which is not acceptable for security and confidentiality reasons.
Innovation Solution
A central spectrum-database server maintains a single spectrum-allocation database that tabulates current allocations for different SASs, allowing each SAS to access limited information to coordinate spectrum allocations without disclosing sensitive company-specific data, using domain proxies to snoop on and forward relevant messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct inter-SAS communication is used to synchronize spectrum-allocation databases, then coordination of spectrum allocations between different SASs is improved, but security and confidentiality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A central spectrum-database server is introduced as an intermediary between multiple SASs. Each SAS sends spectrum-allocation information to the server, which maintains a unified database and returns relevant allocation data to requesting SASs. This mediator enables coordination while preventing direct access to sensitive data between SASs operated by different companies.
2Reliability
If SASs access full spectrum-allocation databases of other SASs, then spectrum coordination is improved, but access to sensitive or confidential information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary spectrum-allocation information from the complete database and presents it to SASs on demand. The central server filters and returns only the allocation data needed for coordination, omitting sensitive company-specific metadata and other confidential information, thus providing minimal necessary exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different SASs receive customized views of the spectrum-allocation database tailored to their operational needs. Each SAS accesses only the portion of the database relevant to its spectrum allocations, rather than receiving the complete database of all SASs, thereby maintaining information security while enabling effective coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless communications system, such as a 5G CBRS system, a Spectrum Access System (SAS) assigns portions of the (CBRS) spectrum to associated base stations (CBSDs). In some embodiments, a central spectrum-database server receives information about spectrum allocations made by two or more different SASs operated by different companies and tabulates that information in a combined spectrum database that each SAS can independently retrieve for use in allocating bandwidth to its CBSDs. In some implementations, the messages between each SAS and multiple associated CBSDs are transmitted via a domain proxy that snoops on multiple spectrum-allocation-related messages (e.g., spectrum grant/revocation messages and/or heartbeat messages) to gather the information to be transmitted to the server, where the information does not include any company- or network-sensitive information.