TV White Space Spectrum Map Versioning for Dynamic Channel Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing television white space (TVWS) frequency spectrum, particularly in determining and adapting to changes in available channels for optimal communication, which affects bandwidth and propagation distance.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a receiver and processing system that determine if the current unused frequency spectrum map has changed from a previous version, allowing for dynamic channel selection and adaptation, and enables other devices to access available channels through a database accessed via neighboring devices, ensuring continuous communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses a static unused frequency spectrum map for channel selection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to changes in TVWS availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changes in TVWSVSAvoidcomplexity of spectrum map management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic spectrum map management by comparing the current spectrum map version with a previously stored version. When changes are detected, the system automatically updates the map and notifies affected devices, enabling adaptive channel selection without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex real-time processing of spectrum changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the spectrum map version is broadcast to devices, and devices report their status based on the version number. This feedback loop enables the system to track which devices are affected by spectrum changes and manage updates accordingly, balancing adaptability with controlled complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system continuously monitors and updates the unused frequency spectrum map, then the adaptability to TVWS changes is improved, but the loss of time for map updates and device synchronization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time adaptation to spectrum changesVSAvoidtime for spectrum map updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic actions by using version numbers to indicate when spectrum map changes occur. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system updates the version number at specific intervals or when significant changes are detected, then notifies devices. This periodic approach reduces unnecessary continuous processing while maintaining timely adaptation to spectrum changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the spectrum map versioning mechanism and update protocols before actual changes occur. When changes happen, the system can quickly update versions and notify devices without needing to re-establish entire communication protocols, thereby reducing the time loss associated with synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system implements comprehensive channel monitoring and version tracking, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of wireless communicationVSAvoidcomplexity of version comparison and tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential information needed for reliability by using version numbers as a simplified representation of the complete spectrum map state. Instead of continuously comparing entire complex spectrum maps, the system only needs to compare version numbers, significantly reducing the complexity of tracking while maintaining reliable communication through accurate change detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copying by creating a simplified version number representation that copies the essential state information of the spectrum map without replicating the entire complex data structure. This allows devices to track changes and maintain reliability without managing the full complexity of continuous spectrum monitoring and comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2677829B1Method and apparatus for enabling mode 1 and mode 2 devices in TV white space networks
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2677829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2677829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2677829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for operating in a television white space (TVWS) network. One example method generally includes receiving, at an apparatus, a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map (e.g., a white space map (WSM)), the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for wireless communications; determining whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and using a channel for wireless communications based on the determination.; Another example method generally includes accessing a database of available channels for a current location of an apparatus via a neighboring portable or fixed enabling apparatus and enabling one or more portable dependent apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.