RF White Space Resource Allocation Conflict Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Resource allocation conflicts in RF white spaces pose challenges for efficient radio spectrum use, as unlicensed devices must coexist with licensed users without causing interference, and existing methods lack effective mechanisms for fair bandwidth sharing among heterogeneous secondary networks.

Innovation Solution

A distributed resource allocation system with network controllers that calculate resource allocation proposals and handle conflicts by transmitting conflict requests and proposals, allowing for fair resource allocation and coexistence among secondary networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If unlicensed devices operate in TV white spaces, then spectrum utilization is improved, but interference with licensed users may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidinterference with licensed users
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A database is introduced as an intermediary between unlicensed devices and licensed users. The database stores geolocation information and channel availability data, enabling unlicensed devices to query and determine appropriate operating parameters before transmission, thus preventing interference while maximizing spectrum utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by requiring unlicensed devices to query the database for channel availability and geolocation information before actually operating in the white spaces. This advance planning and verification ensures that devices only operate on channels and at power levels that will not cause interference to licensed users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple secondary networks share RF white spaces, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but resource allocation conflicts arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation conflict handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The database provides feedback mechanisms by storing and sharing channel availability information, geolocation data, and operating parameters among multiple secondary networks. This feedback enables networks to adjust their resource allocation decisions based on real-time or near-real-time information about other networks' operations, reducing conflicts while maintaining high spectrum efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The database serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a registration system for unlicensed devices, a storage repository for geolocation and channel information, a query interface for determining availability, and a coordination mechanism for multiple secondary networks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, simplifying the overall resource allocation conflict handling

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

Data Source

PatentEP2640144B1Method, apparatus, and computer program product for resource allocation conflict handling in rf frequency bands
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2640144B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2640144B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2640144B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to for efficient radio spectrum use, and more particularly to the resolution of resource allocation conflicts in RF white spaces. An example embodiment includes a method including calculating by a network controller, a resource allocation proposal for a wireless network; transmitting by the network controller, a message including the calculated resource allocation proposal, to one or more other network controllers; and implementing the resource allocation proposal, if the network controller does not receive other resource allocation proposals for the wireless network from the one or more other network controllers, in response to the transmitted message.