Methods and systems for dynamic spectrum arbitrage

• US 8,711,721 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2011
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rivada Networks, LLC
• Original Assignee: Rivada Networks, LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Clint, Ganley, Declan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thier, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAILE, FEBEN
• Application Number:
  US13/181,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20120014332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/328, 370/329, 370/330, 370/431, 370/437, 370/252, 370/441, 370/447, 370/464, 370/465
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/60 based on actual use of network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0016 Hand-off preparation specially adapted for end-to-end data sessions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality

Abstract

Methods and system are provided for managing and monitoring allocation of RF spectrum resources based on time, space and frequency. A network may be enabled to allocate excess spectrum resources for use by other network providers on a real-time basis. Allocated resources may be transferred from one provider with excess resources to another in need of additional resources based on contractual terms or on a real-time purchase negotiations and settlements. A network may be enabled to monitor the use of allocated resources on real-time basis and off-load or allow additional users depending on the spectrum resources availability. Public safety networks may be enabled to make spectrum resources available to general public by allocating spectrum resources and monitoring the use of those resources. During an emergency, when traffic increases on a public safety network, the public safety networks may off-load bandwidth traffic to make available necessary resources for public safety users.

Claims

1. A dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method, comprising:

establishing a first communication link between a communications server and a first server in a first communication network, wherein the first server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the first communication network and reports a first resource status report to the communications server;

establishing a second communication link between the communications server and a second server in a second communication network, wherein the second server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the second communication network and reports a second resource status report to the communications server;

automatically determining, on the communication server, an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available within the first communication network based on the first resource status report received via the first communication link;

determining on the communication server a network access capability of a wireless device in the second communication network based on the second resource status report received via the second communication link;

pooling available RF spectrum resources from the first communication network and at least one other communication network;

receiving by the communications server a request for resources from the wireless device in the second communication network; and

allocating by the communication server a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by the wireless device in the second communication network from the pool of available RF spectrum resources based on spectrum bandwidth of the available RF spectrum resources in the pool of available RF spectrum resources, location of spectrum in a frequency band, a geographic zone of the wireless device, the determined network access capability of the wireless device, and irrespective of the compatibility of radio access networks (RANs) in the first and second communication networks.

2. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network,

wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources is accomplished in response to the received request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network.

3. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network, wherein determining the available amount of RF spectrum resources available within the first communication network is based on information from monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network.

4. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second communication networks are cellular telephone communication networks operated by different cellular telephone service providers.

5. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein:

the first communication network is not a cellular telephone communication network; and

the second communication network is a cellular telephone communication network.

6. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 5, wherein the first communication network is an RF communication network dedicated to one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

7. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 6, further comprising:

terminating use of the RF spectrum resources by the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

8. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising:

terminating use of the RF spectrum resources by the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network.

9. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 4, wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises handing off a communication session established within the second communication network to be carried by the first communication network.

10. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein:

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network comprises allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

11. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 10, wherein allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network is established in advance based on time of day.

12. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising:

conducting an auction for the available radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources within the first communication network among a plurality of network operators, wherein the second communication network is selected by the auction.

13. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 12, wherein the auction is accomplished according to bidding rules related to at least one of a requested capacity of a network, a boundary of a network, a network quality of service, a network geographic parameter, a time for when resources are requested, and a duration of services parameter.

14. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating a guard band of unused guard band resources within the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

15. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating RF spectrum resources on the basis of one or more of time, bandwidth, communication capacity, service treatment, geographic boundary and duration.

16. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises:

informing the second communication network of the allocated RF spectrum resources and ceasing use of those resources by the first communication network;

the second communication network transmitting to one or more mobile devices information required to access and use the allocated RF spectrum resources; and

supporting communications with the one or more mobile devices using the allocated RF spectrum resources.

17. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving in the second communication network a notice from the first communication network rescinding allocation of RF spectrum resources;

the second communication network transmitting to one or more mobile devices instructions to suspend use of the allocated RF spectrum resources; and

supporting communications with the one or more mobile devices using the RF spectrum resources of the second communication network.

18. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising:

partitioning a percentage of RF spectrum resources for a Public Land Mobile Network.

19. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, wherein operations of automatically determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available within a first communication network and allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network are accomplished by a dynamic spectrum arbitrage policy controller in communication with to the first and second communication networks.

20. The dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) method of claim 1, further comprising automatically initiating an electronic commerce transaction between the first and second communication networks upon allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network.

21. A server for accomplishing dynamic spectrum arbitrage of available radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources between a first communication network and a second communication network, comprising:

a server processor coupled to the network connections and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

establishing a first communication link to a first server in the first communication network, wherein the first server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the first communication network and reports a first resource status report to the communications server;

establishing a second communication link to a second server in the second communication network, wherein the second server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the second communication network and reports a second resource status report to the communications server;

automatically determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available within the first communication network based on the first resource status report received via the first communication link;

determining a network access capability of a wireless device in the second communication network based on the second resource status report received via the second communication link;

pooling available RF spectrum resources from the first communication network and at least one other communication network; and

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by the wireless device in the second communication network from the pool of available RF spectrum resources based on spectrum bandwidth of the available RF spectrum resources in the pool of available RF spectrum resources, location of spectrum in a frequency band, a geographic zone of the wireless device, the determined network access capability of the wireless device, and irrespective of the compatibility of radio access networks (RANs) in the first and second communication networks.

22. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network,

wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources is accomplished in response to the received request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network.

23. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network, wherein determining the available amount of RF spectrum resources available within the first communication network is based on information from monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network.

24. The server of claim 21, wherein:

the first and second communication networks are cellular telephone communication networks operated by different cellular telephone service providers.

25. The server of claim 21, wherein:

the first communication network is not a cellular telephone communication network; and

the second communication network is a cellular telephone communication network.

26. The server of claim 25, wherein the first communication network is an RF communication network dedicated to one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

27. The server of claim 26, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

rescinding allocation of the RF spectrum resources to the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

28. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

rescinding allocation use of the RF spectrum resources to the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network.

29. The server of claim 24, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises handing off a communication session established within the second communication network to be carried by the first communication network.

30. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network comprises allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

31. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

conducting an auction for the available radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources within the first communication network among a plurality of network operators, wherein the second communication network is selected by the auction.

32. The server of claim 31, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the auction is accomplished according to bidding rules related to at least one of a requested capacity of a network, a boundary of a network, a network quality of service, a network geographic parameter, a time for when resources are requested, and a duration of services parameter.

33. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating a guard band of unused guard band resources within the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

34. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating RF spectrum resources on the basis of one or more of time, bandwidth, communication capacity, service treatment, geographic boundary and duration.

35. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising partitioning a percentage of RF spectrum resources for a Public Land Mobile Network.

36. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that operations of automatically determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available within a first communication network and allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network are accomplished by a dynamic spectrum arbitrage policy controller in communication with to the first and second communication networks.

37. The server of claim 21, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising automatically initiating an electronic commerce transaction between the first and second communication networks upon allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network.

56. The server of claim 30, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network is established in advance based on time of day.

38. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a server processor to perform dynamic spectrum arbitrage of available radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources between a first communication network and a second communication network operations comprising:

establishing a first communication link to a first server in the first communication network, wherein the first server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the first communication network and reports a first resource status report to the communications server;

establishing a second communication link to a second server in the second communication network, wherein the second server monitors call traffic as compared to a total spectrum of resources available to the second communication network and reports a second resource status report to the communications server;

automatically determining an amount of RF spectrum resources available within the first communication network based on the first resource status report received via the first communication link;

determining a network access capability of a wireless device in the second communication network based on the second resource status report received via the second communication link;

pooling available RF spectrum resources from the first communication network and at least one other communication network; and

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by the wireless device in the second communication network from the pool of available RF spectrum resources based on spectrum bandwidth of the available RF spectrum resources in the pool of available RF spectrum resources, location of spectrum in a frequency band, a geographic zone of the wireless device, the determined network access capability of the wireless device, and irrespective of the compatibility of radio access networks (RANs) in the first and second communication networks.

39. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network,

wherein allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources is accomplished in response to the received request for additional RF spectrum resources from the second communication network.

40. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network, wherein determining the available amount of RF spectrum resources available within the first communication network is based on information from monitoring utilization of RF spectrum resources within the first communication network.

41. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein:

the first and second communication networks are cellular telephone communication networks operated by different cellular telephone service providers.

42. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein:

the first communication network is not a cellular telephone communication network; and

the second communication network is a cellular telephone communication network.

43. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the first communication network is an RF communication network dedicated to one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

44. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising:

rescinding allocation of the RF spectrum resources to the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the one or more of police, fire, emergency medical service or government agencies.

45. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising:

rescinding allocation use of the RF spectrum resources to the second communication network when the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network.

46. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises handing off a communication session established within the second communication network to be carried by the first communication network.

47. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network comprises allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

48. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that allocating a predetermined amount of the available RF spectrum resources in the first communication network for use by the second communication network is established in advance based on time of day.

49. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising:

conducting an auction for the available radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources within the first communication network among a plurality of network operators, wherein the second communication network is selected by the auction.

50. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 49, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that the auction is accomplished according to bidding rules related to at least one of a requested capacity of a network, a boundary of a network, a network quality of service, a network geographic parameter, a time for when resources are requested, and a duration of services parameter.

51. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating a guard band of unused guard band resources within the first communication network for use by the second communication network.

52. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network comprises allocating RF spectrum resources on the basis of one or more of time, bandwidth, communication capacity, service treatment, geographic boundary and duration.

53. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising partitioning a percentage of RF spectrum resources for a Public Land Mobile Network.

54. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations such that operations of automatically determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available within a first communication network and allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network are accomplished by a dynamic spectrum arbitrage policy controller in communication with to the first and second communication networks.

55. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a server processor of a first communication network to perform operations further comprising automatically initiating an electronic commerce transaction between the first and second communication networks upon allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network.