Current Situation:

Spectrum is a very valuable, but limited, natural resource.  In most cases, spectrum has been allocated to specific applications, companies and even technologies on what is essentially a perpetual basis. The current static allocation regime has lead to inefficient utilization - both within a spectrum holder’s network as well as between network operators.    This has created a perception (widely accepted as a fact) of spectrum scarcity, yet industry studies show that 80% to over 90% of spectrum allocated for commercial and business use goes unused at any given time and location (see reports). The inability to dynamically transfer excess spectrum from one use (or user) to another creates an artificial scarcity.

Spectrum Bridge is developing new technologies and solutions that will deliver on an innovative approach to spectrum management and utilization called Universal Spectrum Access.

Universal Spectrum Access Overview:

Unlike the static command and control regime in practice today, Universal Spectrum Access  (USA) makes all types of available spectrum visible and dynamically accessible to all potential users. The objective of USA is to maximize the bandwidth available to wireless devices and applications within and across users, enterprises and networks. By making more spectrum more available, perceived scarcity can be cost-effectively addressed and alleviated using currently available spectrum allocations.

Universal Spectrum Access Components

USA is more than just better access to spectrum itself, it’s also about providing better access to better information about spectrum, as well as to real time network opportunities and constraints.

This leads to USA's fundamental departure from previous spectrum allocation approaches that see the scarcity problem as being one of “carving up” spectrum more efficiently.  USA takes a much more network-centric view and approaches the solution from a “coordination of network resources and operations” standpoint.  This requires both a view of multiple sources of available spectrum, as well as the operational conditions within and between wireless networks. This realization leads to a whole new view of spectrum management built around the optimized utilization of our finite spectrum resources.

Universal Spectrum Access Implementation

USA is a multi-layered approach to spectrum allocation:

• The Database Layer -- A Database Driven Architecture (DDA) for wireless networks
• The Information Layer -- Leveraging multiple resources to determine the attributes and availability of spectrum. SBI’s proprietary suite of spectrum intelligence tools including:  SpecEx, ShowMyWhitespace.com and SmartWaves, provide this information.
• The Transaction Layer – Matching spectrum availability with dynamic network information via Dynamic Spectrum Allocation (DSA).

Database Driven Architecture

The database driving USA contains more than just a list of available spectrum channels from the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS).  In order to support a network-centric, rather than a spectrum-centric view, data contained in the ULS  is supplemented with additional information such as:

• Secondary Market Spectrum availability, location, bandwidth and pricing
• Geographic Information Systems - including spectrum license boundaries, census block size, tower locations, protected incumbent zones, etc.
• Census and market population data - including density and growth trends, economic indexes and business metrics
• Spectrum service rules - including limitations and allocations

The database must also maintain relationships between this information and create metadata on demand at the request of the Dynamic Spectrum Allocation Engine.

Leveraging Multiple Sources of Spectrum

Most networks today utilize one or two sources of spectrum at most.  However, as demands from a growing user population and more bandwidth intensive applications multiply, spectrum from across all sources of available spectrum must be dynamically and intelligently allocated to maximize the utilization of this finite resource. This approach must be implemented if we are to meet the needs of our increasing wireless society.  Additional sources of available spectrum that must be considered under a dynamic allocation solution are:

• Spectrum offered on the secondary market
• White spaces (TV and other)
• Unlicensed bands (WiFi, etc.)
• Unused government controlled frequencies

Dynamic Spectrum Allocation Overview

Once the database has cataloged and categorized all available resources, constrains,  opportunities, etc., the dynamic spectrum allocation engine determines what spectrum provides a best fit for the user or application. This is based on a number of real time radio, network and user parameters including:

1. Absolute and relative location of radios and users
2. Application requirements
3. Regulatory service rules
4. Costs
5. Real time network measurements

Once these and other factors are considered, the allocation engine issues a spectrum certificate to the network that authorizes it to use a specific frequency, power output, channel plan, time period, transaction cost (if any), etc.   Additional allocations can be made as needed to meet QoS and bandwidth requirements on a dynamic basis.

From Vision to Execution

Our Universal Spectrum Access solution leverages Spectrum Bridge’s existing core products. SpecEx, ShowMyWhiteSpace.com, and SmartWaves are key components in the realization of our vision. These and other components are coming together to create a solution that maximizes the bandwidth available to wireless devices and applications - within and across users, enterprises and networks.