Methods and systems for mutiRAN dynamic spectrum arbitrage

• US 8,934,373 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• 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:
  US13/795,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/328, 370/329, 370/330, 370/252
• US Class Current: 370/252
• 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 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 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA

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 method, comprising:

determining in a communications server an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within a first communication network;

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network;

informing the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin;

recording a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network;

receiving a radio access network (RAN) status message from the first communication network, the RAN status message including information identifying a mobile device as being simultaneously connected to the first communication network via a first RAN technology and to the second communication network via a second RAN technology;

determining in the communications server whether at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network based on the received RAN status message;

informing the second communication network that use of the allocated RF spectrum resources should be terminated in response to determining that at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network; and

updating the transaction database to include information identifying a time when use of the allocated RF spectrum resources was terminated by the second communication network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of a plurality of mobile devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RAN technology is the same technology as the second RAN technology.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RAN technology is a different technology than the second RAN technology.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the mobile device as being connected to the first communication network via a first frequency and as being connected to the second communication network via a second frequency.

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

network communications circuitry for communicating with the first and second communication networks;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the network communications circuitry, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within the first communication network;

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by the second communication network;

informing the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin;

recording a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network;

receiving a radio access network (RAN) status message from the first communication network, the RAN status message including information identifying a mobile device as being simultaneously connected to the first communication network via a first RAN technology and to the second communication network via a second RAN technology;

determining whether at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network based on the received RAN status message;

informing the second communication network that use of the allocated RF spectrum resources should be terminated in response to determining that at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network; and

updating the transaction database to include information identifying a time when use of the allocated RF spectrum resources was terminated by the second communication network.

8. The communication server of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of the mobile device.

9. The communication server of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of a plurality of mobile devices.

10. The communication server of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that the receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the first RAN technology as being a same technology as the second RAN technology.

11. The communication server of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that the receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the first RAN technology as being a different technology than the second RAN technology.

12. The communication server of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the mobile device as being connected to the first communication network via a first frequency and as being connected to the second communication network via a second frequency.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a computer to perform dynamic spectrum arbitrage (DSA) operations comprising:

determining an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within a first communication network;

allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network;

informing the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin;

recording a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network;

receiving a radio access network (RAN) status message from the first communication network, the RAN status message including information identifying a mobile device as being simultaneously connected to the first communication network via a first RAN technology and to the second communication network via a second RAN technology;

determining whether at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network based on the received RAN status message;

informing the second communication network that use of the allocated RF spectrum resources should be terminated in response to determining that at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network; and

updating the transaction database to include information identifying a time when use of the allocated RF spectrum resources was terminated by the second communication network.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a computer to perform operations such that receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of a mobile device connected to the first communication network.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a computer to perform operations such that receiving the RAN status message from the first communication network comprises receiving a message that identifies RAN connections of a plurality of mobile devices connected to the first communication network.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a computer to perform operations such that receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the first RAN technology as being a same technology as the second RAN technology.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a computer to perform operations such that receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the first RAN technology as being a different technology than the second RAN technology.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a computer to perform operations such that receiving the RAN status message comprises:

receiving a message that identifies the mobile device as being connected to the first communication network via a first frequency and as being connected to the second communication network via a second frequency.