阅读说明：本技术 共享频谱系统的集中协调 (Centralized coordination of shared spectrum systems ) 是由 R.福德 全晸鍸 赵俊暎 V.V.拉特纳姆 M.托内马赫 于 2020-03-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于管理共享频谱的电子设备、基站和方法。所述电子设备包括至少一个处理器,所述处理器被配置为使所述电子设备：从多个BS获取共存测量报告(CMR)；基于CMR识别多个BS之间的干扰关系；基于干扰关系将BS集分派给多个基本分配单元(BAU)中的一个或多个BAU；以及将频谱接入授权(SAG)传输到BS集,其中所述SAG包括用于BS集的BAU分派。多个BAU中的每个BAU是时间/频率单元,并且BS集包括主BS和辅BS。当辅BS的传输不干扰主BS的传输时,辅BS可以在一个或多个BAU中传输。(An electronic device, a base station and a method for managing a shared spectrum. The electronic device comprises at least one processor configured to cause the electronic device to: acquiring Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from a plurality of BSs; identifying an interference relationship between the plurality of BSs based on the CMR; assigning a set of BSs to one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) of a plurality of BAUs based on an interference relationship; and transmitting a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the set of BSs, wherein the SAG comprises a BAU assignment for the set of BSs. Each BAU of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit, and the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS. The secondary BS may transmit in one or more BAUs when the transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with the transmission of the primary BS.)

1. An electronic device for managing a shared spectrum between a plurality of base stations, BSs, the electronic device comprising:

a memory comprising instructions for managing the shared spectrum; and

at least one processor operatively connected to the memory, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the electronic device to:

acquiring Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) from the plurality of BSs;

identifying interference relationships between the plurality of BSs based on the CMR;

assigning a set of BSs to one or more of a plurality of Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) based on the interference relationship, wherein each BAU of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit; wherein the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS, and wherein the secondary BS may transmit in the one or more BAUs when transmissions of the secondary BS do not interfere with transmissions of the primary BS; and

transmitting a spectrum access grant, SAG, to the set of BSs, wherein the SAG includes a BAU assignment for the set of BSs.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein to assign the set of BSs to the one or more BAUs, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:

assigning the master BS to a priority transmission period in the one or more BAUs in which the master BS can transmit without performing channel sensing; and

assigning the secondary BS to an offset period in the one or more BAUs in which the secondary BS can transmit after performing channel sensing.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to further cause the electronic device to:

assigning another master BS to one or more other BAUs of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship, wherein other master BSs interfere with the master BS, and wherein the one or more other BAUs are orthogonal to the one or more BAUs.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to further cause the electronic device to:

assigning a third BS to the one or more BAUs for transmission in an opportunistic data transmission period, ODTP, in the one or more BAUs, wherein the third BS can transmit in the ODTP after performing a listen-before-transmit procedure.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the CMR comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, a neighbor BS list, power levels associated with BSs in the neighbor BS list, a list of BSs that cause harmful interference, transmit power, received signal strength indicator measurements, reference signal received power measurements, reference signal received quality measurements, loading information, channel occupancy measurements, indicators of protected BAUs that are no longer in use, indicators of BAU indices that experience interference, and timestamp data.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the SAG further comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, an overall frame structure of a shared spectrum, a detection threshold function parameter, a maximum allowed transmission power, a contention window size, a protection margin for opportunistic channel access, a synchronization source identifier, a BAU allocation per mobile network, a BAU allocation per BS, a transmission opportunity offset assignment, a maximum channel occupancy time, and timestamp data.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein to assign the master base station to one or more of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship, the at least one processor is configured to execute instructions to further cause the electronic device to:

generating an interference graph representing each BS of the plurality of BSs as vertices with one or more of the interference relationships identified by edges between vertices;

for each vertex, calculating a resource reservation rate based on the vertex priority and the number of connected components; and

assigning the master base station to the one or more BAUs based on the resource reservation rate.

8. A base station, BS, comprising:

a transceiver; and

at least one processor operatively connected to the transceiver, the at least one processor configured to:

controlling the transceiver to transmit a coexistence measurement report, CMR, to a shared spectrum manager, SSM, wherein the CMR indicates an interference relationship between the BS and a neighboring BS;

controlling the transceiver to receive a spectrum access grant, SAG, originating from the SSM, wherein the SAG comprises an assigned set of one or more basic allocation units, BAUs, for the BS, wherein each of the one or more BAUs is a time/frequency unit, and wherein the assigned set indicates that the BS is a primary BS or a secondary BS in which the secondary BS may transmit when a transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with a transmission of another primary BS assigned to the one or more BAUs;

generating the CMR; and

determining a transmission opportunity of the BS based on the assigned set of the one or more BAUs.

9. The BS of claim 8, wherein, when the SAG indicates that the BS is the master BS of the one or more BAUs, the at least one processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transmit data in a priority transmission period in the one or more BAUs without performing channel sensing on the channel; and

wherein, to identify the transmission opportunity of the BS when the SAG indicates that the BS is the secondary BS of the one or more BAUs, the at least one processor is further configured to perform channel sensing before an offset period, and wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit data in the offset period after performing the channel sensing.

10. The BS of claim 8, wherein when the SAG indicates that the BS is the master BS of the one or more BAUs, when another SAG identifies that another master BS is assigned to the one or more other BAUs, and when the other master BS interferes with the BS, the one or more other BAUs are orthogonal to the one or more BAUs.

11. The BS of claim 8, wherein, when the SAG indicates that the BS is a third BS of the one or more BAUs, the BS is assigned to transmit in an opportunistic data transmission period, ODTP, in the one or more BAUs after performing a listen before transmit procedure.

12. The BS of claim 8, wherein the CMR comprises at least one of a base station identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, a list of neighboring base stations, a power level associated with a base station in the list of neighboring base stations, a list of base stations causing harmful interference, a transmit power, a received signal strength indicator measurement, a reference signal received power measurement, a reference signal received quality measurement, loading information, a channel occupancy measurement, an indicator of protected BAUs that are no longer in use, an indicator of BAU indices that experience interference, and timestamp data.

13. The BS of claim 8, wherein the SAG further comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, an overall frame structure of a shared spectrum, a detection threshold function parameter, a maximum allowed transmission power, a contention window size, a protection margin for opportunistic channel access, a synchronization source identifier, a BAU allocation per mobile network, a BAU allocation per BS, a transmission opportunity offset assignment, a maximum channel occupancy time, and timestamp data.

14. The BS of claim 8, wherein:

the BS is assigned to the one or more BAUs in a shared spectrum based on an interference graph representing each of a plurality of BSs in the shared spectrum as vertices with one or more of the interference relationships identified by edges between vertices, an

Each vertex is associated with a resource reservation rate based on the vertex priority and the number of connected components.

15. A method for managing shared spectrum among a plurality of BSs, the method comprising:

acquiring Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) from the plurality of BSs;

identifying interference relationships between the plurality of BSs based on the CMR;

assigning a set of BSs to one or more of a plurality of Basic Allocation Unit (BAUs) based on the interference relationship, wherein each BAU of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit; wherein the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS, and wherein the secondary BS may transmit in the one or more BAUs when transmissions of the secondary BS do not interfere with transmissions of the primary BS; and

transmitting a spectrum access grant, SAG, to the set of BSs, wherein the SAG includes a BAU assignment for the set of BSs.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to centralized coordination of shared spectrum systems.

Background

A communication system includes a Downlink (DL) that conveys signals from a transmission point, such as a Base Station (BS), to a reception point, such as a User Equipment (UE). The communication system also includes an Uplink (UL) that conveys signals from a transmission point, such as a UE, to a reception point, such as a BS.

To meet the increasing demand for wireless data services since the deployment of fourth generation (4G) communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved fifth generation (5G) or pre-5G communication systems. A 5G or pre-5G communication system is also referred to as an "beyond 4G network" or a "Long Term Evolution (LTE) system". The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in a higher frequency (mmWave) band (e.g., 60GHz band) in order to achieve a higher data rate. In order to reduce propagation loss of radio waves and increase transmission distance, beamforming, massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming, and massive antenna techniques are discussed for a 5G communication system. Further, in the 5G communication system, development of system network improvement based on advanced small cells, cloud Radio Access Network (RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile network, cooperative communication, coordinated multipoint (CoMP), reception-side interference cancellation, and the like is underway. In 5G systems, hybrid Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) and Fisher Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (FQAM) and Sliding Window Superposition Coding (SWSC) have been developed as Advanced Coding Modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA) as advanced access techniques.

The internet is a person-centric connected network in which humans generate and consume information, and is now evolving into the internet of things (IoT), where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The internet of everything (IoE) is a product of combining the internet of things technology and the big data processing technology by connecting cloud servers. Since IoT implementations require technical elements such as "sensing technology", "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology", and "security technology", sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), etc. have recently been studied. Such an IoT environment can provide intelligent internet technology services, creating new value for human life by collecting and analyzing data generated between connections. The IoT can be applied to a plurality of fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or interconnected cars, smart power grids, medical care, smart homes, advanced medical services and the like through fusion and combination of existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply the 5G communication system to the IoT network. For example, techniques such as sensor network, MTC, and M2M communication may be implemented through beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. The application of cloud RAN as the big data processing technology described above can also be seen as an example of the convergence between 5G technology and IoT technology.

As described above, various services can be provided according to the development of wireless communication systems, and thus a method for easily providing such services is required.

Disclosure of Invention

An electronic device, a base station and a method for managing a shared spectrum are provided. The electronic device includes at least one processor configured to cause the electronic device to obtain Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from a plurality of BSs, identify interference relationships between the plurality of BSs based on the CMRs, assign a set of BSs to one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationships, and transmit a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the set of BSs.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network computing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example Base Station (BS) in a network computing system in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 illustrates an example electronic device for managing shared spectrum in a network computing system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a network for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates another network for spectrum sharing in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 illustrates a data transmission frame structure for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 illustrates the assignment of Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) in a Data Transmission Phase (DTP) for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a graph of a detection threshold function according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

figure 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a generic DTP access procedure in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

figure 10 illustrates another flow diagram of a generic DTP access procedure in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

figure 11 shows a flow diagram for determining transmission opportunities in DTP by a base station in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 illustrates an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP) access scheme for a base station according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

figure 13 illustrates a flow diagram of signaling of Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) and Spectrum Access Grant (SAG), according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram of periodic and aperiodic signaling for CMR and SAG according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 shows a signal flow diagram of periodic signaling for CMR and SAG according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 shows a signal flow diagram for aperiodic signaling for CMR and SAG, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 illustrates a flow diagram for computing a network interference graph and connection components in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 shows a flow diagram for computing resource reservation rates, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

19A-19C illustrate steps for dispatching BAUs from a network interference graph in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 20 shows a flow diagram for managing shared spectrum in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 21 illustrates an example electronic device for managing shared spectrum in a network computing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 22 illustrates a Base Station (BS) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention include an electronic device and corresponding method for managing a shared spectrum, and a Base Station (BS) for operating in the shared spectrum. One embodiment relates to an electronic device comprising a memory storing instructions for managing a shared spectrum, and at least one processor operatively connected to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to cause the electronic device to: obtaining Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from a plurality of BSs; identifying an interference relationship between the plurality of BSs based on the CMR; assigning a set of BSs to one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) of a plurality of BAUs based on an interference relationship; and transmitting a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the set of BSs, wherein the SAG comprises a BAU assignment for the set of BSs. Each BAU of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit, and the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS. The secondary BS may transmit in one or more BAUs when the transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with the transmission of the primary BS.

In one embodiment, to assign the set of BSs to one or more BAUs, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to assign the primary BS to a priority transmission period in the one or more BAUs, wherein the primary BS may transmit in the priority transmission period without performing channel sensing, and to assign the secondary BS to an offset period in the one or more BAUs, wherein the secondary BS may transmit in the offset period after performing channel sensing.

In one embodiment, the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to further cause the electronic device to: assigning another master BS to one or more other BAUs of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship, wherein the other master BSs interfere with the master BS, and wherein the one or more other BAUs are orthogonal to the one or more BAUs.

In one embodiment, the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to further cause the electronic device to: assigning a third BS to the one or more BAUs to transmit in an Opportunistic Data Transfer Period (ODTP) in the one or more BAUs, wherein the third BS may transmit in the ODTP after performing a listen-before-transmit (listen-after-talk) procedure.

In one embodiment, the CMR includes at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, a neighbor BS list, power levels associated with BSs in the neighbor BS list, a list of BSs causing harmful interference, transmit power, received signal strength indicator measurements, reference signal received power measurements, reference signal received quality measurements, load information, channel occupancy measurements, indicators of protected BAUs no longer in use, indicators of BAU indices experiencing interference, and timestamp data.

In one embodiment, the SAG further comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, an overall frame structure of the shared spectrum, a detection threshold function parameter, a maximum allowed transmission power, a contention window size, a protection margin for channel access for opportunities, a synchronization source identifier, a BAU allocation per mobile network, a BAU allocation per BS, a transmission opportunity offset assignment, a maximum channel occupancy time, and timestamp data.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises assigning the primary BS to one or more of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to further cause the electronic device to: generating an interference graph representing each BS of a plurality of BSs as vertices having one or more interference relationships identified by edges between the vertices; for each vertex, calculating a resource reservation rate based on the vertex priority and the number of connected components; and assigning the primary BS to one or more BAUs based on the resource reservation rate.

Another embodiment relates to a BS for operating in a shared spectrum. The BS includes a transceiver and at least one processor connected to the transceiver. The at least one processor is configured to control the transceiver to send a Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) to a Shared Spectrum Manager (SSM), and to control the transceiver to receive a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) from the SSM, the SAG comprising an assigned set of one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) for the BS. The CMR indicates the interference relationship between the base station and the neighboring base stations. Each of the one or more BAUs is a time/frequency unit, and the assignment set indicates that the BS is a primary BS or a secondary BS that can transmit in the one or more BAUs when transmissions of the secondary BS do not interfere with transmissions of another primary BS assigned to the one or more BAUs. The BS further includes a processor operatively connected to the transceiver, the at least one processor configured to generate a CMR and identify a transmission opportunity for the BS based on the assigned set of one or more BAUs.

In another embodiment, when the SAG indicates that the BS is a master BS in the one or more BAUs, the at least one processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transmit data in a priority transmission period in the one or more BAUs without performing channel sensing on the channel. When the SAG indicates that the BS is a secondary BS of the one or more BAUs, to identify a transmission opportunity for the BS, the at least one processor is further configured to perform channel sensing before an offset period, and wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit data within the offset period after performing the channel sensing.

In another embodiment, when the SAG indicates that the BS is a master BS of the one or more BAUs, when another SAG identifies that another master BS is assigned to one or more other BAUs, and when the other master BS interferes with the BS, the one or more other BAUs are orthogonal to the one or more BAUs.

In another embodiment, when the SAG indicates that the BS is a third BS in the one or more BAUs, the BS is assigned to transmit in an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP) in the one or more BAUs after performing the listen-before-transmit procedure.

In another embodiment, the CMR includes at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, a neighbor BS list, power levels associated with BSs in the neighbor BS list, a list of BSs causing harmful interference, transmit power, received signal strength indicator measurements, reference signal received power measurements, reference signal received quality measurements, load information, channel occupancy measurements, indicators of protected BAUs that are no longer in use, indicators of BAU indices experiencing interference, and timestamp data.

In another embodiment, the SAG further comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, an overall frame structure of the shared spectrum, a detection threshold function parameter, a maximum allowed transmission power, a contention window size, a protection margin for opportunistic channel access, a synchronization source identifier, a BAU allocation per mobile network, a BAU allocation per BS, a transmission opportunity offset assignment, a maximum channel occupancy time, and timestamp data.

In another embodiment, a BS is assigned to one or more BAUs in a shared spectrum based on an interference graph representing each BS of a plurality of BSs sharing the spectrum as vertices having one or more interference relationships identified by edges between the vertices. Further, each vertex is associated with a resource reservation rate based on the vertex priority and the number of connected components.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method for managing shared spectrum. The method includes obtaining Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from a plurality of BSs, identifying interference relationships between the plurality of BSs based on the CMRs, assigning a set of BSs to one or more (basic allocation unit) BAUs of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationships, and sending a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the set of BSs, the SAG including the BAU assignments for the set of BSs. Each BAU of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit. Further, the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS, which may transmit in one or more BAUs when the transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with the transmission of the primary BS.

In yet another embodiment, assigning the set of BSs to the one or more BAUs may further include assigning the primary BS to a priority transmission period in the one or more BAUs, wherein the primary BS may transmit in the priority transmission period without performing channel sensing, and assigning the secondary BS to an offset period in the one or more BAUs, wherein the secondary BS may transmit in the offset period after performing channel sensing.

In yet another embodiment, the method may further include assigning another primary BS to one or more other BAUs of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship, wherein the other primary BSs interfere with the primary BS, and wherein the one or more other BAUs are orthogonal to the one or more BAUs.

In yet another embodiment, the method may further include assigning a third BS to the one or more BAUs for transmission in an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP) in the one or more BAUs, wherein the third BS may transmit in ODTP after performing the listen-before-transmit procedure.

In yet another embodiment, the CMR includes at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, a neighbor BS list, power levels associated with BSs in the neighbor BS list, a list of BSs causing harmful interference, transmit power, received signal strength indicator measurements, reference signal received power measurements, reference signal received quality measurements, load information, channel occupancy measurements, indicators of protected BAUs no longer in use, indicators of BAU indices experiencing interference, and timestamp data.

In yet another embodiment, the SAG further comprises at least one of a BS identifier, a mobile network operator identifier, an overall frame structure of the shared spectrum, a detection threshold function parameter, a maximum allowed transmission power, a contention window size, a protection margin for opportunistic channel access, a synchronization source identifier, a BAU allocation per mobile network, a BAU allocation per BS, a transmission opportunity offset assignment, a maximum channel occupancy time, and timestamp data.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

The drawings included herein and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

The term "couple" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms "transmit," "receive," and "communicate," as well as derivatives thereof, include both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or. The term "associated with," and derivatives thereof, means including, being included within, interconnected with, containing, contained within, connected to, coupled to, communicating with, cooperating with, interleaving, juxtaposing, proximate to, constraining or contacting, owning property, having a relationship therewith, and the like. The term "processor" or "controller" refers to any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and/or firmware. The functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. When used with a list of items, the phrase "at least one of" means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used and only one item in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes any combination of: A. b, C, A and B, A and C, B and C and a and B and C. Likewise, the term "set" refers to one or more. Thus, a set of items can be a single item or a collection of two or more items.

Further, the various functions described below may be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each computer program formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in suitable computer readable program code. The phrase "computer readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer readable medium" includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium does not include a wired, wireless, optical, or other communication link that transmits a transitory electrical or other signal. Non-transitory computer readable media include media that can permanently store data and media that can store and subsequently rewrite data, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable memory devices.

Definitions for other specific words and phrases are provided herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

Spectrum utilization may fluctuate over time and geographic location. Sharing spectrum via multiplexing between different entities will enable more efficient use of spectrum, whether unlicensed spectrum or shared spectrum. As used herein, the term "shared spectrum" is used in an inclusive manner without distinguishing between shared spectrum and unlicensed spectrum, and it also includes not only spectrum that is currently available, but also spectrum that will be available in the future.

In existing unlicensed spectrum, e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, channel access may be based on random access, i.e., carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). It is well known that CSMA/CA with exponential backoff reduces wireless time utilization when network density increases. Sharing may be uncooperative in that it is based on regulatory legislation enacted by regulatory bodies and controlled by fixed regulations. Fundamentally, spectrum access cannot be guaranteed. As a result, operators deploying infrastructure systems that provide paid services to mobile users using these unlicensed spectrum may be disadvantageous because reliability and accessibility of the services cannot be guaranteed.

The novel aspects of the present invention may also improve the scheme by enabling multiplexing of users in the time dimension. In addition, the medium access control scheme may allow the secondary user an opportunity to access resources when the primary user is idle, or in the event that the primary user is not affected by interference from secondary user transmissions.

Increasing the deployment density of BSs via spatial multiplexing of frequencies may be one way to improve data throughput. In fact, since the early days of cellular communication, such spatial multiplexing may be one of the major factors in the increase of system throughput. While improving spatial multiplexing, dense BS deployment at millimeter wave (mm-wave) and terahertz (THz) frequencies may be unavoidable to improve coverage by compensating for path loss and blocking.

Another approach to improving data throughput in the united states may involve opening unlicensed or shared spectrum. For example, the 3.55-3.7GHz national broadband radio service (CBRS) band may have a unique three-tiered hierarchical access model that includes an incumbent (federal user, fixed satellite service), a priority access authorization bearer (PAL), and Generic Authorization Access (GAA), in descending order of priority. In another example, the united states and the european union consider the 5925 + 7125MHz band and the 5925 + 6425MHz band, respectively, for unauthorized use. In yet another example, the 37-38.6GHz band is expected to be open and shared between commercial and future federal systems. The shared framework is expected to be distinguished from the general unlicensed spectrum.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary network computing system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network 100 shown in fig. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of wireless network 100 may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1, wireless network 100 may include a gandeb (gNB)101, a gNB 102, and a gNB 103. gNB 101 may communicate with gNB 102 and gNB 103. The gNB 101 may also communicate with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network 130, such as the internet, a private IP network, or other data network.

gNB 102 may provide wireless broadband access to network 130 for a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) within coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs may include: a UE 111, which may be located in a small enterprise (SB); a UE 112, which may be located in enterprise (E); UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi Hotspot (HS); a UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R); and a UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M) such as a cell phone, wireless laptop, wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 may provide wireless broadband access to network 130 for a second plurality of UEs within coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs may include UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of the gNB 101-.

Other well-known terms may be used instead of "gnnodeb" or "gNB", such as "base station" or "access point", depending on the network type. For convenience, the terms "gNodeB" and "gNB" are used in this disclosure to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Furthermore, depending on the network type, other well-known terms may be used instead of "user equipment" or "UE", such as "mobile station", "subscriber station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal" or "user equipment", the terms "user equipment" and "UE" being used in the present invention to refer to a remote wireless device that wirelessly accesses the gNB, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or smartphone) or generally considered a fixed device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

The dashed lines may illustrate the general extent of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as being generally circular for purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that coverage areas associated with the gNB, such as coverage areas 120 and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstructions.

As described in more detail below, BSs in a network computing system may be managed to allow spectrum sharing based on interference relationships between BSs. In some embodiments, a shared spectrum manager in a network computing system may provide a centralized resource coordination and assignment scheme by sending spectrum access grants to a BS based on coexistence measurement reports received from the BS. As discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs, SSM may enable priority and opportunity based channel access by assigning different offsets to the MNO and/or each base station.

Although fig. 1 shows one example of a wireless network 100, various changes may be made to fig. 1. For example, wireless network 100 may include any number of gnbs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Further, the gNB 101 may communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide these UEs with wireless broadband access to the network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 may communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. Further, the gnbs 101, 102, and/or 103 may provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example Base Station (BS) in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the gNB 102 shown in fig. 2 is for illustration only, and the gnbs 101 and 103 of fig. 1 may have the same or similar configuration. However, the gNB has a variety of configurations, and fig. 2 does not limit the scope of the present invention to any particular implementation of the gNB.

As shown in fig. 2, the gNB 102 may include a plurality of antennas 280a-280n, a plurality of RF transceivers 282a-282n, Transmit (TX) processing circuitry 284, and Receive (RX) processing circuitry 286. The gNB 102 may also include a controller/processor 288, a memory 290, and a backhaul or network interface 292.

The RF transceivers 282a-282n may receive incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by UEs in the network 100, from the antennas 280a-280 n. The RF transceivers 282a-282n may downconvert the incoming RF signal to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signal may be sent to RX processing circuitry 286, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and/or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. RX processing circuit 286 may send the processed baseband signals to a controller/processor 288 for further processing.

TX processing circuitry 284 may receive analog or digital data (such as voice data, web data, e-mail, or interactive video game data) from a controller/processor 288. TX processing circuitry 284 may encode, multiplex, and/or digitize the output baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceivers 282a-282n may receive outgoing processed baseband or IF signals from TX processing circuitry 284 and upconvert the baseband or IF signals to RF signals for transmission via antennas 280a-280 n.

Controller/processor 288 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of gNB 102. For example, the controller/processor 288 may control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceivers 282a-282n, the RX processing circuit 286, and the TX processing circuit 284 according to well-known principles. The controller/processor 288 may also support additional functions, such as higher-level wireless communication functions. For example, the controller/processor 288 may support beam forming or directional routing operations in which outgoing signals from multiple antennas 280a-280n are weighted differently to effectively direct the output signals in a desired direction. Controller/processor 288 may support any of a variety of other functions in gNB 102. In some embodiments, the controller/processor 288 may include at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

Controller/processor 288 is also capable of executing programs and other processes resident in memory 290, such as a basic OS. Controller/processor 288 may move data into and out of memory 290 as needed to perform processing.

The controller/processor 288 may also be coupled to a backhaul or network interface 292. Backhaul or network interface 292 may allow gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems over a backhaul connection or over a network. The interface 292 may support communication over any suitable wired or wireless connection. For example, when gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a 5G, LTE or LTE-a enabled system), interface 292 may allow gNB 102 to communicate with other gnbs over wired or wireless backhaul connections. When gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, interface 292 may allow gNB 102 to communicate over a wired or wireless local area network or over a wired or wireless connection to a larger network, such as the internet. Interface 292 may include any suitable structure that supports communication over a wired or wireless connection, such as an ethernet or RF transceiver.

A memory 290 may be coupled to the controller/processor 288. A portion of memory 290 may include RAM and another portion of memory 290 may include flash memory or other ROM.

As described in more detail below, base stations in a network computing system may be assigned primary, secondary, and/or third users sharing spectrum resources (i.e., BAUs) based on interference relationships with other neighboring BSs. The primary base station may transmit on the channel without first sensing the channel. The secondary base station may transmit on the channel after the sensing operation determines that its data transmission does not interfere with the data transmission of the primary base station. The third base station may transmit data on the channel during the opportunistic data transmission periods if available.

Although fig. 2 shows one example of a gNB 102, various changes may be made to fig. 2. For example, the gNB 102 may include any number of each of the components shown in fig. 2. As a particular example, an access point may include multiple interfaces 292, and controller/processor 288 may support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another particular example, although shown as including a single instance of TX processing circuitry 284 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 286, gNB 102 may include multiple instances of each (such as one for each RF transceiver). In addition, various components in FIG. 2 may be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components may be added according to particular needs.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example electronic device for managing shared spectrum in a network computing system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the electronic device may be a shared spectrum manager implemented as server 300, which may represent server 104 in fig. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, server 300 may include a bus system 305 that supports communication between at least one processing device 310, at least one storage device 315, at least one communication unit 320, and at least one input/output (I/O) unit 325.

Processing device 310 may execute instructions that may be loaded into memory 330. Processing device 310 may include any suitable number and type of any suitable arrangement of processors or other devices. Example types of processing devices 310 include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and discrete circuits.

Memory 330 and persistent storage 335 are examples of storage devices 315, which represent any structure capable of storing and facilitating retrieval of information, such as based on temporary or permanent data, program code, and/or other appropriate information. Memory 330 may represent random access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage 335 may contain one or more components or devices that support long-term storage of data, such as read-only memory, a hard drive, flash memory, or an optical disk.

The communication unit 320 may support communication with other systems or devices. For example, communication unit 320 may include a network interface card or a wireless transceiver that facilitates communication over network 130. The communication unit 320 may support communication over any suitable physical or wireless communication link.

The I/O unit 325 may allow input and output of data. For example, the I/O unit 325 may provide a connection for user input through a keyboard, mouse, keypad, touch screen, or other suitable input device. The I/O unit 325 may also send output to a display, a printer, or other suitable output device.

As described in more detail below, the server 300 may serve as a shared spectrum manager in a network computing system that may coordinate resource assignments to enable priority and opportunity based channel access by using offsets in basic allocation units identifiable by time slots and frequency bands.

Although fig. 3 illustrates an example of an electronic device in a computing system for managing shared spectrum between multiple base stations, such as base stations 101, 102, and 103 in fig. 1, various changes may be made to fig. 3. For example, various components in FIG. 3 may be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components may be added according to particular needs. Further, as with computing and communication networks, servers may have a variety of configurations, and fig. 3 does not limit the disclosure to any particular server.

Fig. 4 illustrates a network for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Network 400 may be a network computing system, such as network computing system 100 in FIG. 1.

The network 400 may include multiple BSs from different Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), i.e. wireless service providers, that co-exist in proximity to each other. For example, BS401 and BS 404 may belong to the same MNO, e.g., "MNO B", and BS 402 and BS 403 may belong to another operator, e.g., "MNO a". However, the particular description of the network in fig. 4 is exemplary and not limiting. Thus, in other embodiments, the number of mobile network operators may be different, each having different systems and technologies that share spectrum.

In fig. 4, BSs interfering with each other are connected by a dotted line 405. For example, BS401 and BS 404 may interfere with each other and be connected by dashed line 405 a; BS401 and BS 402 may interfere with each other and are connected by dashed line 405 e; BS 402 and BS 404 may interfere with each other and are connected by dashed line 405 d; BS 403 and BS 404 may interfere with each other and are connected by dashed line 405 b; and BS 403 and BS 402 may interfere with each other and be connected by dashed line 405 c. BS401 and BS 403 may be spaced apart a sufficient distance to prevent interference with each other.

Each of the BSs 401, 402, 403, and 404 may be connected to a Shared Spectrum Manager (SSM)406 through their respective backhaul links 407. SSM 406 may be one or more electronic devices for managing a shared spectrum, such as electronic device 300 in fig. 3. In a non-limiting embodiment, SSM 406 may be an entity in the core network of each MNO and configured to communicate with each other to manage shared spectrum between BSs of all MNOs. In another non-limiting embodiment, SSM 406 may be a third party entity not belonging to any MNO, but configured to communicate with networks of different operators to manage shared spectrum between BSs of MNOs.

Fig. 5 illustrates another network for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Network 500 is a network computing system, such as network computing system 100 in FIG. 1.

Network 500 differs from network 400 in that each BS communicates with entities in its own MNO Core Network (CN) over backhaul link 507, rather than communicating directly with SSM 406. In the embodiment of fig. 5, the BSs 402 and 403 may communicate with the CN entity 504a through the backhaul link 507a, and the BSs 401 and 402 may communicate with the CN entity 504b through the backhaul link 507 b. CN entities 504a and 504b may communicate with SSM 406 over their respective communication links 510. CN entities 504a and 504b may handle aggregation of data and/or transfer of messages (such as measurement reports) from the BS to SSM 406. The CN entity may also handle the reception of messages from SSM 406 on behalf of the BS and the configuration of the BS based on parameters in these messages.

Fig. 6 illustrates a data transmission frame structure for spectrum sharing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The frame structure 600 may define resources shared between BSs in a network computing system, such as the network computing system 100 in fig. 1, the network 400 in fig. 4, and the network 500 in fig. 5.

The frame structure 600 may include Data Transmission Phase (DTP) periods 602a through 602n that may occupyA repeating sequence of time slots of a plurality of spectral bands (i.e., channels) 606. In fig. 6, the frame structure 600 may have M spectral bands f₁To f_M。

A time slot on one frequency band may be referred to as a Basic Allocation Unit (BAU). In the embodiment of fig. 6, each DTP period 602 may have K slots 604a through 604K in the time dimension spanning M frequency bands. Thus, each DTP period may include a total of K × M BAUs. However, in other embodiments, the number of frequency bands, time slots, bandwidths, center frequencies, and durations of the time slots may be different.

Fig. 7 illustrates allocating a Basic Allocation Unit (BAU) for spectrum sharing over one Data Transmission Phase (DTP) period, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the DTP period 700 includes a set of BAUs 702 on a single frequency 706.

BSs a1, a2, B1, and B2 may correspond to BSs 402, 403, 401, and 404 in fig. 4, respectively. Thus, BSs B1 and a2 may be geographically separated and not in an interference relationship so that they may be assigned to the same BAUs 704B and 704e for transmission. In contrast, BSs 401, 402, and 404 may be in an interfering relationship with each other, as may BSs 402, 403, and 404. Accordingly, the BSs 401, 402, and 404 may be assigned BAUs in an orthogonal manner. Similarly, BSs 402, 403, and 404 may be assigned BAUs in an orthogonal manner. For example, BS A1 for MNO A may be transmitted in BAUs 704a and 704 d. BS B2 of MNO B may transmit in BAU 704c, which BAU 704c is orthogonal to BAUs 704a and 704 d.

The BAU 705 may not be assigned (NA) to any MNO/BS and may be accessed according to the opportunistic access scheme described below in FIG. 12.

Overview of shared framework

Each BAU in the set of BAUs 702 may be shared between one or more primary base stations and one or more secondary base stations. The BSs assigned to a BAU may also be referred to as "users" of resources in the alternative. In addition, the primary base station may also be referred to as a "protected base station" or a "protected user".

A set of MNOs or BSs assigned to a BAU may be granted protected access to one or more BAUs, effectively prioritizing the availability of these resources for protected users over other users. Protected access may be controlled by SSM (such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5) issuing a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the MNO and/or BS. SSM 406 may act as an SAG database that may be accessed by protected users. The SAG may be sent as a message to the user over the connection shown in fig. 4 and 5. In one embodiment, the SAG may include an information element indicating that the BAU is reserved for a particular user. These are referred to as "protected BAUs". The protected BAU assignment may be issued by a central spectrum authority (such as a government regulatory agency) to the MNO.

In another example, MNOs or network entities belonging to each MNO may negotiate between them to establish a protected BAU assignment. The assignment of protected BAUs may change over time and may be updated periodically. In SAG, the BAU assignment may be assigned to a single BS, a group of multiple BSs, or the entire MNO network. For example, the assignment of the BAU in slot 604 may indicate that the MNO A network may access the resources (f) of the DTP cycle₁，t₁). Then, how the different BSs belonging to the MNO a utilize the resources can be decided independently by the MNO.

Each BAU may be divided into symbols 712. The master assignee of the BAU (i.e., the master base station) may begin transmitting in the priority transmission period 716a without first performing spectrum sensing. In BAU 704e, a preferential transmission period 716a may be found at the beginning of the BAU. In this example in fig. 7, BSs a2 and B1 may be master base stations assigned to the BAU 704 e. One or more BSs may also be assigned to one or more secondary transmission opportunity (TXOP) offsets 716b and 716 c. These TXOP offsets may also be referred to herein as "offset periods. The BS may be assigned to the secondary TXOP by the SSM, which provides additional opportunities for the BS to transmit within the BAU. TXOP offset assignments may also be provided in the SAG, and may also be applicable to the assigned BAUs 704a, 704b, 704c, and 704 d. Multiple BSs may be assigned to the same TXOP offset and a given BS may be assigned multiple TXOP offsets. In this illustrative embodiment, BSs a1 and B2 may be secondary BSs transmitted in offset periods 716B and 716c, respectively.

Prior to transmitting at the secondary TXOP offset, the corresponding BS may first sense the channel during a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) period 714, as described in flowchart 1100 in fig. 11. If the channel is clear, the BS may start transmission at the following TXOP offset and may transmit for the remaining duration of the BAU or some Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT), if specified. The MCOT may be the maximum duration that the BS may transmit within the BAU before releasing resources. Further, the BAU may be configured with an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP)718, which may also relate to the CCA procedure in flowchart 1100. The locations of the secondary TXOP and ODTP within the BAU period may be indicated by the SSM in the SAG. The secondary TXOP and ODTP locations, as well as the location and duration of the CCA period, may be specified in terms of a single symbol, sample, or time offset. In another embodiment, the TXOP and ODTP may be selected by each BS or each MNO in a distributed manner, randomly or based on some metric.

DTP resource access with protected access users

In one embodiment, resource assignment via SAG may limit access to the BAU only for protected users specified in the SAG, which may prevent other MNOs and/or BSs from transmitting in these resources, regardless of whether they would cause interference to the protected users. In another embodiment, a "soft authorization" scheme may be employed in which a protected user is considered the master assignee of the protected BAU and may transmit in these resources without first sensing the channel of ongoing transmissions from other users. However, in this embodiment, if the primary user does not actively utilize the BAU, or if the transmission of the secondary user does not cause significant interference to the primary user, the secondary user may opportunistically access the same BAU. For example, LBT may be employed by secondary users to avoid collisions with primary users in the same BAU. By specifying the TXOP offset in the SAG, secondary users may be granted priority access to the protected BAU, but with lower priority than the primary user. Each TXOP offset may be applied to one or more secondary users.

As an alternative embodiment, any user may operate as a secondary user and transmit at a specified TXOP offset regardless of whether they have been granted explicit access to the BAUs in the SAG. In another embodiment, the secondary offset duration may be extended and a set of BSs may be assigned to contend for access to the slot duration via LBT. Thus, the TXOP offset will serve as a higher priority ODTP window.

Fig. 8 shows a graph of a detection threshold function according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As described in more detail in fig. 11 below, the detection threshold function represented by graph 800 may be used by the BS to determine whether to allow transmission in a secondary transmission opportunity.

Figure 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a generic DTP access procedure in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations described in flowchart 900 may be implemented in a BS, such as BS 200 in fig. 2.

In operation 902, a check may be made for available dispatch resources. The BS receiving the assigned resources may be a primary BS or a protected BS assigning resources. In operation 904, a check may be made for available opportunity resources. The BS receiving the opportunistic resources may be a secondary BS assigning resources. In a non-limiting embodiment, the assigned resources and the opportunity resources may be provided in a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG). The SAG may be generated by a Shared Spectrum Manager (SSM), such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5.

Thereafter, in operation 906, transmission resources may be identified based on the checks made in operations 902 and 904. The identified resources may be assignment resources and/or opportunity resources. In operation 908, data may be transmitted using the identified resources.

Figure 10 illustrates another flow diagram of a generic DTP access procedure in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations described in flowchart 1000 may be implemented in a BS, such as BS 200 in fig. 2.

In operation 1002, a check may be made for available assignment resources. In operation 1004, if the assigned resources are not available, a check may be made for available opportunity resources. Thereafter, in operation 1006, transmission resources may be identified based on the checks made in operations 1002 and 1004. According to the flowchart 1000, if resources are allocated to the BS in operation 1002, the BS will not perform an opportunistic resource check in operation 1004. In operation 1008, data may be transmitted using the identified resources.

Fig. 11 shows a flow diagram for determining transmission opportunities in DTP by a base station in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations described in flowchart 1100 may be implemented in a BS (such as BS 200 in fig. 2) to access DTP resources of a particular BAU.

The flowchart 1100 may begin with operation 1102 to determine whether the BS intends to transmit data, i.e., whether the BS has data to transmit. If the BS does not have data to transmit, flowchart 1100 may continue to operation 1104 where the BS remains in an idle state. However, if it is determined that the BS has data to transmit in operation 1102, it may be determined whether the BS is assigned to a protected BAU in operation 1106. If the BS is assigned to a protected BAU, the flow diagram 1100 may continue with operation 1108 and the BS may transmit its data over the protected BAU. In one embodiment, the BS may transmit its data at the beginning of its assigned BAU without first sensing the channel.

It may be the case that a BAU is assigned to a protected user, but the user is idle during the time slot duration, which may be due to the transmission data buffer being empty or other reasons. Furthermore, due to geographical separation and/or transmission power requirements, secondary users (primary users not allocated as BAUs) may be able to transmit in a protected BAU without causing high interference that would affect the persistent transmission of the primary protected user. The BAU may also be marked as NA in the SAG, and thus is available for opportunistic transmission by all users. In the case of NA BAUs, the entire duration of the BAU may be considered ODTP and accessed in the manner described in more detail in fig. 12.

Returning to operation 1106, if it is determined that the BS is not assigned to a protected BAU, flowchart 1100 may continue to operation 1110 where it is subsequently determined whether the BS is assigned to an alternate transmission opportunity, i.e., a secondary transmission opportunity, in the BAU, such as secondary transmission opportunities 716b and 716c in fig. 7. If an alternative transmission opportunity is assigned to the BS as determined in operation 1110, the flowchart 1100 may continue with operation 1112 and the channel may be sensed during a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) prior to the transmission. In a non-limiting embodiment, the time duration T may be set by_CCADetects RF energy over one or more CCA periods to perform sensing. The location and duration of the CCA period may be specified in terms of a symbol index, a sample index, or a time or sample offset.

In operation 1114, a received power P may be calculated over a CCA period_RX. In one embodiment, P_RXMay be the total power from the other transmitters. In another embodiment, the received power measurement of each neighboring BS may be considered in the comparison operation. In this embodiment, the BS may detect signals transmitted by neighboring BSs, thereby allowing the BS to identify these neighbors.

In operation 1116, power P is received_RXMay be compared to a threshold. In one embodiment, the threshold may be a function TH (P) of the desired TX power of the BS_TX) As shown in fig. 8. In some embodiments, the threshold function may include a detection margin δ to control spatial multiplexing. In one embodiment, δ may be set to zero. In another embodiment, δ may be set to a positive value to control the level of spatial multiplexing by setting a larger value of δ to further prevent opportunistic transmission. In one embodiment, the value δ may be fixed. In another embodiment, the value δ may differ between BSs belonging to the same network and between base stations belonging to different networks. That is, δ may be present_inter-opAnd delta_intra-op. With this difference, spatial multiplexing can be more easily and generously allowed between BSs in the same network. In another embodiment, TH (-) may take the value δ as an input and may return an output threshold that is adjusted according to the value δ.

In one embodiment, the threshold or threshold function and the detection margin δ may be fixed to values or a specific function or may be selected among preconfigured values and functions. In another embodiment, the assignment may be dynamically by the SSM in the SAG, or negotiated between MNOs with or without assistance from the SSM, or may be determined by some other means.

Return to operation 1116 if necessary, if P_RXNot greater than the threshold, the flow diagram 1100 may proceed from operation 1116 to operation 1118, where the BS mayTo begin transmission at the assigned transmission opportunity offset after the CCA period and continue transmission for the remaining duration of the BAU. In another embodiment, the transmission may continue for a specified maximum channel occupancy time that is less than the remaining BAU duration.

If P is_RXAbove the threshold, the flowchart 1100 may continue from operation 1116 to operation 1120, where it is determined whether the transmit power P may be reduced_TX. If the transmit power cannot be reduced, the flowchart 1100 may proceed from operation 1120 to operation 1104 to allow the BS to return to an idle state for the remainder of the BAU. If the transmit power can be reduced, the transmit power can be updated in operation 1122 and cycled through operations 1114, 1116, 1120, and 1122 until the receive power does not exceed the threshold in operation 1116 so that the BS can continue operation 1118 for transmission.

Even if the BS is not assigned to the BAU as the primary BS in operation 1106 or the BS is not assigned to the secondary base station in operation 1110, the BS still has an opportunity to transmit as a third base station in an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP). Accordingly, if it is determined in operation 1110 that an alternate transmission opportunity is not assigned, flowchart 1100 may continue to operation 1124, where it is determined whether ODTP is available. If ODTP is not available, the flow diagram 1100 may continue with operation 1104 and the BS may remain idle for the remainder of the BAU. However, if ODTP is available in operation 1124, flowchart 1100 may continue to operation 1126 to sense a channel during a CCA period within ODTP. In the case of transmission in ODTP, the BS may have to delay the transmission after the additional backoff period, as shown by backoff period 1206 in fig. 12.

From operation 1126, the flowchart may continue to operation 1114 to evaluate the received power and provide the BS with an opportunity to reduce its transmit power, if possible. If the BS cannot reduce its power sufficiently to avoid interference with its neighbors' ongoing transmissions in ODTP, the BS will return to the idle state in operation 1104.

Opportunistic DTP access coordination

As previously described, any BS may opportunistically access ODTP regardless of the protected BAU or secondary TXOP assignment. ODTP may be accessed in a similar manner as the TXOP is assigned by first performing a CCA procedure (e.g., operations 1126, 1114, and 1116 in fig. 11) and transmitting when the channel is clear within the CCA period.

Fig. 12 illustrates an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP) access scheme for a base station according to various embodiments of the disclosure. The ODTP access scheme may be implemented in ODTP 1200, which is similar to ODTP 718 in fig. 7. In another embodiment, the ODTP access scheme may be implemented in an unassigned BAU (i.e., unassigned BAU), such as NA BAU 705 in fig. 7.

After the channel busy state 1202, there may be a minimum delay duration 1204D_minLeaving it in an idle state because the original user can resume its transmission. Thus, the minimum delay duration may be a means of providing higher priority to the BS reserving resources. During the duration of inactivity D_minThereafter, it may be assumed that the original owner has released the reserved resources. After the channel is sensed as idle for the delay duration, the BS will perform additional channel sensing using an optional random backoff selected from backoff period 1208. Backoff period 1208 may be formed by a group of time cells 1206. In one embodiment, the number of random back-off time units 1206 may be randomly determined. For example, it can be selected from [ X, Y ]]The range of values extracts the random number uniformly, where X and Y are non-negative integers representing the minimum and maximum possible values of the backoff period 1208, respectively. In one embodiment, X may be 0. In one embodiment, Y, the Contention Window Size (CWS), may be configured or signaled to the BS. In another embodiment, Y may vary and negotiate between operators. In one embodiment, Y may be common. In another embodiment, Y may be cell-specific. In yet another embodiment, Y may be operator specific. After successful channel sensing over the optional random backoff period, the BS may begin data transmission in the data transmission state 1210 until the end 1212 of ODTP. In another embodiment, there may be a designated MCOT, after which the BS will stop transmitting and release resources.

Coexistence measurement reporting

To facilitate configuration of the BSs by SSM, each BS may be configured to send Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) to the SSM. The CMR sent by a given BS may include, but is not limited to, the following list of information elements. The SSM may also specify which information elements to request below so that the BS may send a subset of the following information to the SSM or any desired entity.

Identification information of MNO and BS. The information element may include a Mobile Network Code (MNC), a Mobile Country Code (MCC), an Extended Cell Global Identifier (ECGI), a Physical Cell Identifier (PCI), and/or other similar and related identifiers.

A list of neighboring base stations. The information element may also include the associated power level measured at the BS or its mobile users (if available). Measurements may be specified per BAU.

List of neighbor BSs and their power levels. This information element may be reported by the current mobile user connected to the BS. These measurements may be specified whenever there is a change in the extended interference map between the other BSs and the mobile users reporting the BS's connections. The list may contain all other BSs detected by the BS, or may be limited to only a group of base stations exceeding a threshold within a reporting period, and an indication that the other BSs's BAUs were detected. The received power may be determined at the receiver of the BS by receiving a synchronization signal, a reference signal, or other signal transmitted by a neighboring BS and reported as a value measured at the receiver, e.g., in dBm, or some quantized representation of the value. The list may also indicate whether the neighbor BSs are allowed to be assigned to the same protected BAU or the BS explicitly requests to be assigned to the same BAU as these other BSs. This may occur when a BS has multiple neighboring BSs belonging to the same MNO network, which are able to coordinate access between them.

A list of specific base stations that are detected as causing harmful interference to their users. The information element may also include an index of the protected BAU in which the interference occurred. Therefore, the BS can explicitly request that orthogonal resources be assigned from these indicated BSs.

Desired TX power of BS. The information element may include a single value applicable to all BAUs, or a list of values that may be provided per BAU.

RSSI, RSRP and/or RSRQ measurements reported by a mobile user of a BS. The information element may include individual measurements compiled and reported in list form, or individual measurements aggregated in some manner, such as by taking an average measurement or other statistical data, or by computing a histogram of the measurements. The measurement may be reported as the original value measured at the mobile receiver or by some quantized value encoded from the original value. Individual measurements or aggregate measurements may be provided for each BAU.

Load or demand information of the BS. The information element may include an indicator indicating whether there is buffered data at the BS, the amount of buffered data (expressed as a total number of bytes or as a quantized or encoded value of a range of numbers of bytes), and an estimate of how many BAUs are requested by the base station for data transmission in the DTP. The load information reports may also be differentiated according to the priority of the different services.

And measuring the channel occupation. The information element may indicate the entire DTP or a single time slot or the percentage of time in the BAU that the channel is measured busy.

An indicator specifying that the original assignee BS is no longer using or requesting protected DTP BAUs.

An indicator specifying a DTP BAU index where the BAU detects strong interference.

A timestamp or time index indicating when the above measurements were performed.

In some embodiments, the transmission of the CMR may be triggered periodically with some fixed period, such as once every N cycles for some positive integer N, as shown in fig. 15. In other embodiments, the CMR may also be triggered aperiodically based on CMR requests sent from the SSM to the BS, as shown in FIG. 16. Each individual BS or network provider may also trigger a CMR when significant changes in, for example, interference levels or neighbor lists are noticed. The scope of this CMR update may be local (base station specific), network provider specific, or global.

Spectrum access authorization

As previously described, the SSM may send an SAG message to the BS or a network entity controlling one or more BSs to configure the BS and allocate resources in units of BAUs. The SAG may include, but is not limited to, the following information elements.

An identifier of a BS or network entity specifying an SAG intention.

The overall frame structure. The information element may include the number of DTP cycles, the DTP cycle size (i.e., the values of N and K from fig. 6), or alternatively, the number of slots and the slot length.

Threshold function parameters are detected. The information element may specify a function TH (P)_TX) And TH_max、TH_min。

The maximum allowed transmission power.

Contention window size. The information element may provide opportunistic channel access.

A guard margin δ for opportunistic channel access.

The assignment of the source is synchronized. This information element may be used to derive the timing of the DTP period transmission.

BAU assignment per MNO or BS. The information element may include an indicator specifying whether the BAU assignment is per MNO or per single BS. In one embodiment, the protected BAU assignment may be specified by the carrier frequency and bandwidth in the frequency dimension, the slot index in the time dimension (represented by the pair { start instance, duration } or { start instance, end instance }), or any combination of these or equivalent coding or representative parameters. In another embodiment, the BAU assignment may be specified by a bitmap, where the allocation list is encoded as a binary or vector, where each binary digit or bit value is set to "1" or a predefined value may indicate that the corresponding BAU index (or equivalently, slot and/or band index) is allocated to the receiver of the SAG. The positions of the BAUs corresponding to the binary digits in the bitmap may not be continuous, but may follow a pre-established pattern in which the BAUs are located non-continuously in time and/or frequency. In yet another embodiment, the BAU assignment may follow some pre-established pattern, indicated by parameters in the SAG.

TXOP offset assignment per MNO or BS. This information element may specify the location to which the TXOP is assigned and may follow the same format as the BAU assignment described above.

An indicator that indicates ODTP availability within a given BAU. The information element may also specify the start and duration of ODTP, if enabled.

Maximum channel occupancy time. The information element may specify a maximum duration of the transmission.

A time stamp or time index for indicating when the BS can apply the above parameters.

CMR and SAG signatures

Figure 13 illustrates a flow diagram of signaling of Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) and Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) according to various embodiments of the invention. The operations described in flowchart 1300 may be implemented in a BS, such as BS 200 in fig. 2. Further, flowchart 1300 may be performed by a BS as a means to register itself with an SSM (such as SSM 406 in fig. 4) for access to a network.

In operation 1302, a BS may join a network. In operation 1304, an initial CMR may be sent to the SSM. The CMR may include some or all of the information elements described above, and optionally, a connection notification information element that notifies the SSM that the cell is newly active. In one embodiment, the CMR may simply serve as a request to update the resource allocation in the SAG and does not necessarily contain any additional information elements. In operation 1306, the SAG message may be received using initial configuration information (such as an initial BAU or secondary transmission opportunity assignment) and any other configuration parameters. The SAG may be received from the SSM or a CN entity connected to the SSM, such as CN entity 504 in fig. 5.

Figure 14 shows a flow diagram of periodic and aperiodic signaling for CMR and SAG, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations described in flowchart 1400 may be implemented in a BS, such as BS 200 in fig. 2. Further, the operations of flowchart 1400 may be performed after the operations in flowchart 1300, i.e., after the BS has been accessed to the network.

In operation 1402, a trigger may be received to send a CMR. The triggers may be received periodically after some fixed duration, as illustrated in fig. 15, or non-periodically, as illustrated in fig. 16.

In operation 1404, the CMR may be sent to the SSM. Thereafter, if a change is required, an SAG may be received from the SSM to update the BAU allocation in operation 1406. Thus, in some embodiments, the SAG received in operation 1406 may not be a BS with a protected BAU.

Between receiving SAG list updates, each BS may query its SAG allocation's local cache to determine its assigned configuration parameters and current BAU allocation. In an alternative embodiment, a separate network entity, such as a core network node (e.g., CN entity 504 in fig. 5) within the MNO network of the BS, may contact the SSM on behalf of the BS and handle reception of CMR or constituent data elements from the BS, SAG messages from the SSM, and/or configuration of the BS based on the SAG parameters. In an alternative embodiment, the BS may send an updated CMR on its own to request a new BAU allocation from the SSM. This may be done, for example, in the case where the situation of the connected mobile users of the BS (including connection status, location or link performance) changes.

Figure 15 illustrates a signal flow diagram for periodic signaling of CMR and SAG according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps described in signal flow diagram 1500 may be implemented between a BS 1502 and an SSM 1504 in a communication network. For example, the steps in signal flow diagram 1500 may represent signaling between BS401 and SSM 406 in fig. 4.

In signal flow diagram 1500, a periodic coexistence measurement report timer may be triggered in S1506. In response, BS 1502 may send a CMR to SSM 1504 in S1508. In S1510, the SSM 1504 may send an SAG to the BS 1502.

Figure 16 shows a signal flow diagram for aperiodic signaling for CMR and SAG according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps described in signal flow diagram 1600 may be implemented between BS 1602 and SSM 1604 in a communication network. For example, the steps in signal flow diagram 1500 may represent signaling between BS401 and SSM 406 in fig. 4.

In S1606, SSM 1604 may send a CMR request to BS 1602. In response, the BS 1602 may transmit the requested CMR in S1608. Thereafter, in S1610, SSM 1604 may send an SAG to BS 1602.

Interference map calculation

Fig. 17 illustrates a flow diagram for computing a network interference graph and connection components in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations of flowchart 1700 may be implemented in an SSM, such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5.

The SSM may generate a network interference graph based on the information provided in the CMR. The network interference graph may facilitate assignment of the BAUs to different users. The interference graph may represent the interference relationship between BSs in the network.

In operation 1702, an interference graph G may be computed₁. The interference pattern G₁＝(V₁,E₁) May be V₁And E₁A function of where V₁Is a set of vertices v representing BSs in the network, E₁Is a set of edges e representing the interference relationship between BSs. If BS v_RXIs from BS v_TXExceeds the threshold (reported by the BS to the SSM in the CMR message), then the edge e is (v)_TX,v_RX) May be included in E₁In (1). The threshold may be a desired transmit power v_RXAs shown in operation 1116 of fig. 11, and is determined by the SSM based on the desired TX power reported in the CMR.

In some embodiments, interference graph G₁May not be a connected graph. A join graph may be defined as a graph in which (v) is plotted for all vertices₁,v₂E.g. V) pairs, there is a connection V₁And v₂The path of (2). Thus G₁There may be one or more connected component subgraphs where no path exists between the vertices of each component subgraph. In other words, G₁Can be divided into sets S_G＝{G₁,G₂,…G_MOne or more of the connected components G_CWhere M is the number of connected components, and S_GNo edge exists between any pair of subgraphs.

In operation 1704, an interference graph G may be generated₁Division into subgraphs S_G. G can be calculated by applying a known algorithm for this purpose₁Is connected to the other component.

In operation 1706, set S may be returned_GAnd may be used by the SSM to assign resources (i.e., the BAUs) to the BS. In some cases, the BAUs may be orthogonal, even non-orthogonal, to allow for higher resource efficiency. Since the constituent BSs of each component have no mutual interference relationship, SSM can be independently applied to each connection component G_CResource assignment is performed.

Spectrum assignment algorithm

An exemplary algorithm is provided in fig. 18 that an SSM or equivalent entity may use to assign BSs to BAUs within time/frequency/code slots or channels. The algorithm may be performed by SSM to divide the network into node sets that may be assigned to orthogonal resources, while the remaining node sets may share resources to improve spatial multiplexing. SSM may be performed by evaluating each BS in order of the number of interference relationships. For each BS, a new graph may be computed by taking the BS's subgraph and its neighbors in the interference graph, as well as any edges between these nodes, and then removing the BS and its neighboring edges from the subgraph. The resource reservation rate, which determines the proportion of resources assignable to the BS under equal sharing, can then be computed as a function of the number of nodes in each connected component (isolated subgraph) of the result graph. In form, the SSM may perform the following operations on one connection component of an interference graph G (which is denoted as G ═ V, E for simplicity, where V is a set of vertices representing BSs and E is a set of edges representing interference relationships between BSs).

Fig. 18 shows a flow diagram for computing resource reservation rates, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations described in flowchart 1800 may be implemented in an SSM, such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5.

Flowchart 1800 may begin at operation 1802 by identifying the vertex i in V that has the most edges in E, that is,wherein E is_vIs an edge set adjacent to the vertex v, and the connection is arbitrarily broken.

In operation 1804, a sub-graph G of G may be computed_i＝(V_i，E_i) In which V is_iIs a set containing a vertex i and its neighboring vertex u ∈ V, satisfyingWherein E ═ i, u, E_iComprising V in E_iAll edges (i.e., i and its neighbors u) that are shared by vertices in (b).

In operation 1806, a pass-through from G may be performed_iRemove vertex i and all its edges E_iTo calculate map G'_i＝(V′_i，E′_i). In operation 1808, FIG. G'_iCan be divided into connection components G'_ik＝(V′_ik，E′_ik) K is equal to {1, …, K }. SSM may consider sub-graph G 'first'_ik＝1For further processing.

In operation 1810, all connection components G 'may be calculated'_ikMaximum number of vertices N on_i. In operation 1812, the SSM may calculate the retention rate asWherein alpha is_iAre parameters that can be used to control the priority of different BS or MNO users. The resource reservation rate may be the fraction of resources in each DTP period allocated to BS i. By setting alpha_iEach user may be given equal priority 1. However, by increasing α_i> 1, BS i may be given a larger portion of the time domain resources.

In operation 1814, it may be determined whether all vertices of the connected component of G have been evaluated. If all vertices of the connected component of G have been evaluated, then flowchart 1800 may continue with operation 1816 and return resource reservation rates R { R ∈ V for all V ∈ V_vThe vector of. However, if all vertices of the connected component of G have not been evaluated, then flowchart 1800 may continue with operation 1818 and select the vertex in E with the next most polygon, and set the index with i equal to that vertex in operation 1820, and return to operation 1804.

Figures 19A-19C illustrate steps for assigning a BAU from a network interference graph according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps described in flowchart 1900 may be implemented in an SSM, such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5.

In a first step 1901, an interference map G may be calculated. In one embodiment, an interference graph may be computed in the manner described in operation 1702 of FIG. 17, where each vertex represents a BS and each edge represents an interference relationship between nearby BSs. In this case there is only one connected component, i.e. the whole graph G.

In a second step 1902, vertex A may be determined to have the most edges and subgraph G may be constructed_A. This step 1902 may correspond to operations 1802 and 1804 in fig. 18.

In a third step 1903, G 'may be calculated by removing vertex A and its edges'_A. Further, in third step 1903, G'_ACan be divided into three connected components. The two connected components contain two vertices, so after operation 1810 in FIG. 18, N_A2, and by operation 1812 in fig. 18, R is 1/3 (assuming α is_i＝1)。

In fourth step 1904 and fifth step 1905, operations 1804 through 1812 in FIG. 18 may be repeated for vertex B, which has the next most edges of all vertices in G. The process may then be repeated for vertices G, C, D, E, H, F and I, in this order and by any broken edge connections between counts until retention ratios { R } are calculated for all vertices_i}. Finally, one can choose from the ratio { R }_iThe resource allocation shown in the last step 1906 of fig. 19 is derived.

Fig. 20 shows a flow diagram for managing shared spectrum in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The operations of flowchart 2000 may be implemented in an SSM, such as SSM 406 in fig. 4 and 5.

The flowchart 2000 may begin at operation 2002 by acquiring Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from multiple BSs. The CMR may be obtained periodically or aperiodically. In some embodiments, CMRs may be obtained from multiple BSs after the SSM sends a CMR request.

In operation 2004, an interference relationship may be identified among the plurality of BSs based on the CMR. In one embodiment, interference between BSs may be determined based on a threshold power level such that at least some interference between base stations may be tolerated. The interference may be determined as described in operation 1116 in fig. 11.

In operation 2006, a set of BSs may be assigned to one or more of a plurality of Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) based on an interference relationship. The set of BSs may include the primary BS and the secondary BSs, and the secondary BSs may transmit in one or more BAUs when transmission of the secondary BSs does not interfere with transmission of the primary BSs.

In some embodiments, operation 2006 may include assigning the master BS to a priority transmission period in one or more BAUs, which allows the master BS to transmit in the priority transmission period without performing channel sensing; and assigning the secondary BS to an offset period in the one or more BAUs that allows the secondary BS to transmit in the offset period after performing channel sensing.

In some embodiments, operation 2006 may include assigning another master BS to one or more other BAUs of the plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationship. One or more other BAUs may be orthogonal to one or more BAUs when other primary BSs interfere with the primary BS.

In some embodiments, operation 2006 may further include assigning a third BS to the one or more BAUs for transmission in an Opportunistic Data Transmission Period (ODTP) in the one or more BAUs. After performing the listen before transmit procedure, the third BS may transmit in ODTP.

In operation 2008, a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) may be transmitted to the set of BSs, the SAG including a BAU assignment for the set of BSs.

Fig. 21 illustrates an example electronic device for managing shared spectrum in a network computing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 21, an electronic device 2100 for managing shared spectrum in a network computing system may include a processor 2110, a transceiver 2120, and a memory 2130. However, all of the components shown are not required. The electronic device 2100 may correspond to the server 300 of fig. 3. The electronic device 2100 may be implemented with more or fewer components than those shown in fig. 21. Further, according to another embodiment, the processor 2110, the transceiver 2120, and the memory 2130 may be implemented as a single chip. The processor 2110 may correspond to the processor 310 of fig. 3. The transceiver 2120 may correspond to the communication interface 320 and the I/O unit 325 of fig. 3.

The above-described components will now be described in detail.

Processor 2110 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the proposed functions, processes, and/or methods. The operations of the device 2100 may be implemented by the processor 2110.

In one embodiment, processor 2110 may obtain Coexistence Measurement Reports (CMRs) from a plurality of BSs, identify interference relationships between the plurality of BSs based on the CMRs, assign a set of BSs to one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) of a plurality of BAUs based on the interference relationships, wherein each of the plurality of BAUs is a time/frequency unit; wherein the set of BSs includes a primary BS and a secondary BS, and wherein the secondary BS may transmit in one or more BAUs and transmit a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) to the set of BSs when the transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with the transmission of the primary BS, wherein the SAG includes a BAU assignment for the set of BSs.

Transceiver 2120 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying a transmit signal and an RF receiver for down-converting a frequency of a receive signal. However, according to another embodiment, the transceiver 2120 may be implemented with more or fewer components than shown in the components.

The transceiver 2120 may be connected to the processor 2110 and transmit and/or receive signals. The signal may include control information and data. In addition, the transceiver 2120 may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output the signal to the processor 2110. The transceiver 2120 may transmit a signal output from the processor 2110 through a wireless channel.

The memory 2130 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the electronic device 2100. Memory 2130 may correspond to storage device 315, memory 330, or persistent storage 350. Memory 2130 may be connected to processor 2110 and store at least one instruction or protocol or parameter for the proposed function, process, and/or method. Memory 2130 may include Read Only Memory (ROM) and/or Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or a hard disk and/or CD-ROM and/or DVD and/or other storage devices.

Fig. 22 illustrates a Base Station (BS) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The above-described gNB, eNB, or BS may correspond to the BS 2200. For example, the base station 200 shown in fig. 2 may correspond to the BS 2200.

Referring to fig. 22, the BS 2200 may include a processor 2210, a transceiver 2220, and a memory 2230. However, all of the components shown are not required. The BS 2200 may be implemented by more or fewer components than those shown in fig. 22. Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the processor 2210, the transceiver 2220, and the memory 2230 may be implemented as a single chip.

The above-described components will now be described in detail.

Processor 2210 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the proposed functions, processes, and/or methods. The operations of BS 2200 may be implemented by processor 2210.

In one embodiment, processor 2210 may control transceiver 2220 to transmit a Coexistence Measurement Report (CMR) to a Shared Spectrum Manager (SSM), wherein the CMR indicates an interference relationship between the BS and a neighboring BS, and receive a Spectrum Access Grant (SAG) originating from the SSM, wherein the SAG comprises an assigned set of one or more Basic Allocation Units (BAUs) for the BS, wherein each of the one or more BAUs is a time/frequency unit, and wherein the assigned set indicates that the BS is a primary BS or a secondary BS that may transmit in the one or more BAUs when a transmission of the secondary BS does not interfere with a transmission of another primary BS assigned to the one or more BAUs. Further, processor 2210 may generate a CMR based on the assigned set of one or more BAUs and identify a transmission opportunity of the BS.

Transceiver 2220 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying a transmission signal and an RF receiver for down-converting the frequency of a reception signal. However, according to another embodiment, the transceiver 2220 may be implemented by more or fewer components than shown in the components.

Transceiver 2220 may be connected to processor 2210 and transmit and/or receive signals. The signal may include control information and data. In addition, the transceiver 2220 may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output the signal to the processor 2210. Transceiver 2220 may transmit the signal output from processor 2210 through a wireless channel.

The memory 2230 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the BS 2200. A memory 2230 may be connected to processor 2210 and store at least one instruction or protocol or parameter for the proposed function, process, and/or method. The memory 2230 may include Read Only Memory (ROM) and/or Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or a hard disk and/or CD-ROM and/or DVD and/or other storage devices.

Although the present invention has been described with exemplary embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.