Spectrum Use Assessment Server for Overlapping Wireless Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques fail to effectively coordinate spectrum use in unlicensed or shared bands, particularly in scenarios with overlapping wireless networks or dissimilar radio technologies, leading to interference and frequency contention, especially in asynchronous operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method where a server collects and analyzes spectrum use data from electronic devices to simulate their coverage areas, identify potential interference, and recommend channel changes or spectrum sharing protocols to minimize conflicts, using path loss models and geographic information systems to assess and mitigate overlapping spectrum use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency coordination is used to exclusively allocate spectrum to authorized users, then interference is reduced, but device complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidcoordination overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables autonomous spectrum management where electronic devices independently sense spectrum conditions, identify available channels, and adjust their operations without requiring centralized frequency coordination. Each device serves itself by monitoring signal strengths and making autonomous channel selection decisions, eliminating the need for complex coordination infrastructure while reducing interference through distributed intelligence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous spectrum sensing and monitoring that provides real-time feedback about channel conditions, signal strengths, and interference levels. This feedback loop enables devices to dynamically adjust their spectrum usage decisions based on current environmental conditions, allowing autonomous operation while maintaining low interference levels through adaptive response to spectrum conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If spectrum sensing is used to identify available channels, then coordination overhead is reduced, but reliability decreases in asynchronous and dissimilar technology scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination overheadVSAvoidspectrum use coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal spectrum sensing and analysis approach that works across dissimilar radio technologies and asynchronous operations. By focusing on fundamental signal strength measurements and channel identification rather than technology-specific protocols, the system achieves reliable spectrum coordination that is technology-agnostic and applicable to diverse wireless devices operating in unlicensed bands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary spectrum sensing and channel identification before wireless communications begin. By proactively identifying available channels and assessing interference conditions in advance, the system ensures reliable spectrum use coordination without requiring complex real-time coordination during actual communications, particularly benefiting asynchronous operations where timing synchronization is challenging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If unlicensed bands are used for wireless communications, then spectrum availability increases, but interference and frequency contention increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum availabilityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as channel selection, transmit power levels, and modulation schemes based on real-time spectrum conditions. By continuously monitoring signal strengths and interference levels in unlicensed bands, the system adapts its parameters to maximize spectrum utilization while minimizing interference, enabling reliable communications in shared spectrum environments through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements location-aware spectrum management where channel selection and transmission parameters are optimized for specific geographic locations. By considering local spectrum conditions, nearby devices, and environmental factors, the system enables efficient use of unlicensed bands in each local area while minimizing interference to and from neighboring devices, creating locally optimized spectrum usage patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2896258B1System and method for identifying and managing overlapping spectrum use

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A spectrum use assessment server (12) receives spectrum use data from each of plural electronic devices (10). The spectrum use data from each electronic device includes at least location of the electronic device and operating channel of the electronic device. The server determines a spectrum use coverage area of each electronic device and identifies an overlap in the coverage areas in which two or more of the electronic devices engage in competing spectrum use.