Spectrum Access Server Failover for Wireless Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless networks face disruptions when a single Spectrum Access Server (SAS) fails, causing base stations to lose allocated wireless bandwidth and disrupting communication services to mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with provisioning and monitor hardware that assigns a secondary allocation management resource to a wireless station if the primary SAS becomes unavailable, ensuring continuous wireless connectivity by reallocating wireless resources from a shared spectrum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single Spectrum Access Server (SAS) is used to allocate wireless channels to base stations, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the system reliability deteriorates when the SAS fails, causing complete loss of wireless service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different roles to different SAS entities: the primary SAS handles normal channel allocation operations, while the secondary SAS is specifically prepared for failover operations. This differentiation in function and preparation level across different parts of the system resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple normal operations while ensuring reliability through localized redundancy preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the secondary SAS with all necessary allocation management capabilities before a failure occurs. The secondary SAS maintains synchronization with the primary SAS and prepares allocation data in advance, so that when failover is needed, the transition can occur immediately without service disruption. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction between simple structure and reliable service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a secondary allocation management resource is assigned to handle failures, then the reliability and service continuity are improved, but the device complexity and system configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing the secondary SAS to possess the same channel allocation management capabilities as the primary SAS. Rather than creating a specialized backup component, the secondary SAS is a fully functional allocation manager that can independently perform all allocation operations. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability while keeping the added complexity manageable, as the secondary unit uses the same software and protocols as the primary unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies copying by creating a replica of the primary SAS functionality in the secondary SAS. The secondary unit maintains a copy of the allocation database and can replicate the primary SAS's decision-making logic for channel allocation. This copying strategy ensures reliability through redundancy while controlling complexity by using identical proven technology rather than developing new systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If the wireless station continuously monitors the operational status of the primary SAS, then the switchover response time is reduced, but the energy consumption and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitchover response timeVSAvoidmonitoring energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by establishing a monitoring mechanism where the wireless station receives status information from both the primary and secondary SAS entities. The station continuously receives allocation decisions and status updates, creating a feedback loop that enables rapid detection of primary SAS failures. This feedback approach reduces switchover time while managing energy consumption through efficient communication protocols and selective monitoring of critical status parameters rather than continuous full-duplex communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11558761B2Monitoring and switchover of shared spectrum allocation manager in a wireless network

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

According to one configuration, a system includes provisioning hardware and a wireless station that supports communications with one or more communication devices. The wireless station receives a first notification from the provisioning system. The first notification indicating that the wireless station is assigned to a first allocation management resource. The first allocation management resource operable to allocate wireless resources for use by the wireless station to support wireless communications. The wireless station communicates with the first allocation management resource to receive allocation information indicating the wireless resources allocated for use by the wireless station. In response to receiving a second notification that the wireless station has been reassigned to a second allocation management resource, the wireless station communicates with the second allocation management resource instead of the first allocation management resource to receive the allocation information.