TV white space devices using structured databases

• US 9,268,800 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Inventors: Yee, Jung, Samarasooriya, Vajira, Li, Lingjie
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Danh
• Application Number:
  US14/304,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20150058377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 455/454, 455/464, 455/62, 348/731, 707/E17.018
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/21 Design, administration or maintenance of databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/23 Updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/25 Integrating or interfacing systems involving database management systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection

Abstract

A two-level database structure for use by unlicensed TVBD devices operating in TV white space comprises a central database and local databases. The central database comprises two sub-database: the central licensed database which maintains information about all licensed TV devices and the central unlicensed database which maintains information about unlicensed wireless devices operating in TV spectrum. The local database is created by each TVBD device or TVBD network when it initiates and it stores information related to all transmitters in the local area. The local databases communicate with central database to query it about licensed usage of TV spectrum and register with central database. The local databases communicate with each other to exchange information about channel usage, sensing results, transmission patterns and other information that will allow the local databases to negotiate coexistence without central coordinator. The locally implemented negotiation prevents the overloading of the central database.

Claims

1. A central database apparatus for managing the TV spectrum available for non-licensed applications, comprising:

a first data storage medium for storing a first data structure comprising identification information and operational parameters for all licensed TV band users operating in a geographical area;

a second data storage medium for storing a second data structure comprising central identification information and central operational parameters for all unlicensed TVBDs currently operating in the geographical area;

an interface for communicating with the unlicensed TVBD;

an interface for communicating with a local database to receive a query access address of the local database;

a central database manager for;

updating the identification information and the operational information of the licensed TV band users in the first data structure at preset intervals or upon changes;

providing the unlicensed TVBD with the address of the local database;

and

updating the central identification information and the central operational parameters of the unlicensed TVBD in the second data structure.

2. The central database apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central database manager further provides to the unlicensed TVBDs in a service area the identification information and the operational information of the licensed TV band users operating in the service area of the unlicensed TVBDs. The base station of claim 1, wherein the video quality measurement module is further configured to calculate the at least one video quality measurement of the video stream.

3. A distributed local database apparatus for managing the TV spectrum available for non-licensed applications, comprising:

at least one local database having a local database manager and a data storage medium for storing a data structure for local identification information and local operational parameters for all unlicensed TVBDs currently operating in a geographical area; and

each local database further comprising;

an interface for communicating with a central database,

an interface for communicating with other local databases in the geographic area and for receiving the local identification information and the local operation parameters from the other local databases in the geographic area and

an interface for communicating with the unlicensed TVBDs in the geographic area.

4. The distributed local database apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the local database manager provides:

communicating with the unlicensed TVBDs in the geographic area;

communicating with the central database;

communication with other local databases;

receiving from the central database identification information and operational information for all licensed TV band users in the geographic area;

creating a data entry in the local data structure for the unlicensed TVBD in the geographic area; and

receiving the local identification information and the local operation parameters from the unlicensed TVBD in the geographic area and saving the local identification information and the local operation parameters in the local data structure.

5. The distributed local database apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the local database manager further provides;

negotiating coexistence with the other local databases;

deciding on local operational parameters for the unlicensed TVBD; and

providing the TVBD with the local operational parameters.

6. The distributed local database apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the local database manager further provides the central database with registration information for the unlicensed TVBD comprising:

FCC Identifier (FCC ID) of the device;

manufacturer'"'"'s serial number of the device;

device'"'"'s coordinates (latitude and longitude);

name of the individual or business that owns the device;

name of a contact person responsible for the device'"'"'s operation;

address of the contact person;

email address of the contact person; and

phone number of the contact person.

7. The distributed local database apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the local database manager further provides the central database with a query access address of the local database.