Method and system for dynamic spectrum allocation, and computer program product therefor
First Claim
1. A method of dynamically controlling spectrum usage in a communication network including a plurality of user terminals and at least one base station communicating with the plurality of user terminals, the method comprising:
- using the at least one base station and the plurality of user terminals to sense spectrum usage within an area covered by the communication network;
using the at least one base station to generate spectrum usage policies for the communication network based upon the sensed spectrum usage;
using the at least one base station to broadcast and digitally sign the generated spectrum usage policies to the plurality of user terminals; and
using the at least one base station to monitor usage of the spectrum by the plurality of user terminals, to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies, and to block user terminals violating the generated spectrum usage policies, each respective user terminal configured to also monitor usage of the spectrum by other user terminals to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies.
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Abstract
A communication network such as a cellular network or a WLAN includes a set of user terminals. Within the communication network, a system dynamically controls spectrum usage. The system includes a functionality sensor for sensing spectrum usage within the area covered by the communication network, and a policy server for producing, as a function of the sensed spectrum usage, spectrum usage policies for the communication network. A broadcasting arrangement broadcasts the spectrum usage policies to the user terminals. The system is applicable to cognitive radio systems.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of dynamically controlling spectrum usage in a communication network including a plurality of user terminals and at least one base station communicating with the plurality of user terminals, the method comprising:
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using the at least one base station and the plurality of user terminals to sense spectrum usage within an area covered by the communication network; using the at least one base station to generate spectrum usage policies for the communication network based upon the sensed spectrum usage; using the at least one base station to broadcast and digitally sign the generated spectrum usage policies to the plurality of user terminals; and using the at least one base station to monitor usage of the spectrum by the plurality of user terminals, to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies, and to block user terminals violating the generated spectrum usage policies, each respective user terminal configured to also monitor usage of the spectrum by other user terminals to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for dynamically controlling spectrum usage in a communication network including a plurality of user terminals and at least one base station communicating with the plurality of user terminals, the system comprising:
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a functionality sensor configured to sense spectrum usage within an area covered by the communication network; a policy server configured to generate spectrum usage policies for the communication network based upon the sensed spectrum usage; and a broadcaster configured to broadcast the generated spectrum usage policies to the plurality of user terminals; said policy server configured to digitally sign the spectrum usage policies for broadcast to the plurality of user terminals, to monitor usage of the spectrum by the plurality of user terminals, to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies, and to block user terminals violating the generated spectrum usage policies, each respective user terminal configured to also monitor usage of the spectrum by other user terminals to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A communication network comprising:
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at least one functionality sensor configured to sense spectrum usage within an area covered by the communication network; a policy server configured to generate spectrum usage policies for the communication network based upon the sensed spectrum usage, and to broadcast the generated spectrum usage policies; and a plurality of user terminals configured to operate within the communication network and to receive the generated spectrum usage policies broadcast by said policy sever; said policy server being configured to digitally sign the spectrum usage policies to be broadcast to said plurality of user terminals, to monitor usage of the spectrum by the plurality of user terminals, to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies, and to block user terminals violating the generated spectrum usage policies, each respective user terminal also configured to monitor usage of the spectrum within the area covered by the communication network to detect violations of the generated spectrum usage policies. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to dynamically control spectrum usage in a communication network including a plurality of user terminals and at least one base station communicating with the plurality of user terminals by performing steps comprising:
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using the at least one base station and the plurality of user terminals to sense spectrum usage within an area covered by the communication network including a plurality of user terminals; using the at least one base station to generate spectrum usage policies for the communication network based upon the sensed spectrum usage; using the at least one base station to broadcast and digitally sign the generated spectrum usage policies to the plurality of user terminals; using the at least one base station and the plurality of user terminals to monitor usage of the spectrum by other user terminals and for detecting violations of the generated spectrum usage policies; and using the at least one base station to block user terminals violating the generated spectrum usage policies. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification