Spectrum Virtualization for Dynamic Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The slow pace of technological evolution in wireless communication systems due to long spectrum licensing cycles and high infrastructure costs, leading to inefficient spectrum usage and limited flexibility in adopting new technologies, as well as challenges in enforcing spectrum etiquette and ensuring reliable resource allocation in cognitive radio systems.
Innovation Solution
A virtualization mechanism that allows multiple independent transmission system instances to be configured and managed on a shared infrastructure, enabling dynamic configuration and resource allocation, thereby facilitating efficient use of spectrum resources and infrastructure sharing without the need for separate physical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spectrum licenses are assigned for long time periods with exclusive usage rights, then operators can invest in communication infrastructure with certainty, but the pace of technological evolution slows down and spectrum usage becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectrum resource into multiple virtual resources that can be independently allocated and managed. This allows the infrastructure to serve multiple transmission systems simultaneously with different technological requirements, enabling faster technological evolution while maintaining stable infrastructure investment. Each virtual spectrum resource can be configured for specific transmission systems without requiring complete re-deployment of infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal infrastructure that can support multiple transmission systems through virtualization. The same physical infrastructure (base stations, spectrum licenses) can be shared by multiple virtual transmission systems operating different communication technologies, allowing operators to invest in infrastructure once while supporting evolving technologies across multiple systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators invest in separate communication infrastructure for different transmission systems, then each system can be optimized independently, but infrastructure costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transmission system infrastructures into a single shared physical infrastructure through virtualization. Different transmission systems share the same base stations, spectrum licenses, and network elements, reducing duplicate investments. The virtualization layer allows each system to maintain its optimized configuration while physically sharing resources with other systems.
3Productivity
If cognitive radio systems share spectrum resources dynamically, then spectrum usage efficiency improves, but enforcement of spectrum etiquette becomes difficult and resource allocation reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spectrum virtualization manager as an intermediary between transmission systems and physical spectrum resources. This manager enforces spectrum etiquette rules, coordinates resource allocation, and ensures reliable operation. The intermediary translates dynamic sharing requirements into controlled resource allocation while maintaining spectrum usage efficiency through virtual resource management.
4Ease of manufacture
If spectrum licenses are coupled to specific communication systems, then operators can optimize infrastructure for their licensed system, but the pace of technological evolution is hampered by slow licensing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of spectrum resources that can be allocated to different transmission systems without requiring new physical spectrum licenses. The virtualization layer allows multiple virtual spectrum instances to be derived from a single physical spectrum license, enabling rapid deployment of new technologies while maintaining optimized infrastructure configurations for each system.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A system operator may connect to an infrastructure resource and request a slice of spectrum resources with desired properties and a desired capacity. A slice manager of the infrastructure resource checks whether the request can be fulfilled from the available free capacity and optionally considers additional policies. If the outcome is positive, the slice manager offers a slice with a specific capacity, which may or may not be identical to the system operator' s requested capacity. The offer may contain other information such as cost and billing details. In case the offer is acceptable to the system operator, he sends an accept message to the slice, manager. Optionally, there may be additional negotiation steps.