Methods and systems for managing dynamic spectrum arbitrage based on usage of network resources
First Claim
1. A dynamic spectrum arbitrage method, comprising:
- establishing communication links between an eNodeB in a first communication network and a plurality of mobile devices;
grouping the mobile devices into one of a plurality of tiers, each tier being associated with a priority;
determining in a communications server an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within the first communication network;
allocating, by the communications server, a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network;
informing, by the communications server, the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin;
recording, by the communications server, a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network;
monitoring, by the eNodeB, network resource usage of the first communication network;
determining, by the eNodeB, whether usage of network resources exceeds a first threshold;
restricting, by the eNodeB, originations of new sessions and handoffs of additional mobile devices from other base stations in response to determining that the usage of network resources exceeds the first threshold, wherein restricting originations of new sessions comprises restricting originations of new sessions for mobile devices grouped into a low priority tier;
generating, by the eNodeB, a resource alert message based on monitoring of network resource usage and restricting originations and handoffs from other base stations;
transmitting the resource alert message to the communications server;
receiving, by the communications server, the resource alert message that includes information collected by the eNodeB from the first communication network;
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 information included in the received resource alert message;
informing, by the communications server, the second communication network that use of 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, by the communications server, the transaction database to include information identifying a time when use of the allocated RF spectrum resources was terminated by the second communication network.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A dynamic spectrum arbitrage method, comprising:
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establishing communication links between an eNodeB in a first communication network and a plurality of mobile devices; grouping the mobile devices into one of a plurality of tiers, each tier being associated with a priority; determining in a communications server an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within the first communication network; allocating, by the communications server, a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network; informing, by the communications server, the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin; recording, by the communications server, a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network; monitoring, by the eNodeB, network resource usage of the first communication network; determining, by the eNodeB, whether usage of network resources exceeds a first threshold; restricting, by the eNodeB, originations of new sessions and handoffs of additional mobile devices from other base stations in response to determining that the usage of network resources exceeds the first threshold, wherein restricting originations of new sessions comprises restricting originations of new sessions for mobile devices grouped into a low priority tier; generating, by the eNodeB, a resource alert message based on monitoring of network resource usage and restricting originations and handoffs from other base stations; transmitting the resource alert message to the communications server; receiving, by the communications server, the resource alert message that includes information collected by the eNodeB from the first communication network; 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 information included in the received resource alert message; informing, by the communications server, the second communication network that use of 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, by the communications server, the transaction database to include information identifying a time when use of the allocated RF spectrum resources was terminated by the second communication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system, comprising:
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an eNodeB comprising a transmitter and an eNodeB processor coupled to the transmitter; and a server comprising a server memory, network communications circuitry, and a server processor coupled to the server memory and network communications circuitry, wherein the server processor is configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations comprising; determining an amount of 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 of 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 resource alert message that includes information collected by an eNodeB from the first communication network; determining whether at least some of the allocated RF spectrum resources are required by the first communication network based on the information included in the received resource alert message; informing the second communication network that use of 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, and wherein the eNodeB processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising; establishing communication links with the first communication network; establishing wireless communication links with a plurality of mobile devices; grouping the mobile devices into one of a plurality of tiers, each tier being associated with a priority; monitoring network resource usage of the first communication network; determining whether usage of network resources exceeds a first threshold; restricting originations of new sessions and handoffs of additional mobile devices from other base stations when it is determined that the usage of network resources exceeds the first threshold, wherein restricting originations of new sessions comprises restricting originations of new sessions for mobile devices grouped into a low priority tier; generating the resource alert message based on monitoring of network resource usage and restricting originations and handoffs from other base stations; and transmitting the resource alert message to the server. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification