Abstract: A self-coexistence window reservation protocol for a plurality of Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) cells operating in a WRAN over a plurality of channels includes a sequence of self-coexistence windows that uniquely identifies a transmission period for each WRAN cell. A self-coexistence window reservation protocol is included within the first packet of a Coexistence Beaconing Protocol period identifying when each WRAN cell associated with a particular channel will transmit. When not actively transmitting, a WRAN cells remains in a passive, receiving mode to accept data. As the transmissions of each WRAN cell operating on a particular channel are scheduled, contention for a transmission period is eliminated.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) architectures for spectrum access networks are provided. Embodiments of the invention generally provide a radio frequency (RF) architecture for customer premise equipment (CPE) for use in, for example, IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area networks (WRANs). In some embodiments, the CPE RF architecture includes two receive chains with a directional antenna and an omni-directional antenna, respectively. The CPE RF architecture facilitates opportunistic out-of-band spectrum sensing and WRAN signal receiving that are performed in parallel with data transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for spectrum sharing and communication among several wireless communication networks with overlapping service areas (or cells); especially to Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRANs). Particular embodiments of the invention disclose using a conference channel to communicate between base stations. Other embodiments use slotted coexistence windows within frames to transmit and receive information, including for reserving transmission times within subsequent frames.

Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station can initiate contentions for an increased share of the frames available in the following superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.

Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station currently occupying a channel responds to requests from other base stations for an increased share of the frames available in a subsequent superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.

Abstract: A wireless system including a plurality of WRAN's operating on different channels identifies and addresses a number of important issues relating to the current CBP mechanism (in D0.3) used for inter-cell discovery and communication. The present invention provides fundamental remedies to respectively resolve these issues. Moreover, an Enhanced Coexistence Beaconing Protocol (CBP) is provided that allows efficient, scalable, and backward-compatible cross-channel inter-cell communications for IEEE 802.22 systems.

Abstract: A method and system by which base stations in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally transceivers in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how a base station can acquire the scheduled use of a share of the frames available in subsequent superframes of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by using a random number based contention process.

Abstract: A method for communications between neighboring wireless cells such as wireless regional area networks operating according to IEEE 802.22 specifications. The method involves scheduling inter-base station communications for over-the-air connections to allow neighboring base stations to communicate in environments where a single available channel is shared between the neighboring cells or where two or more channels used by two or more neighboring cells. In some embodiments, a bridge system, such as a bridge consumer premise equipment (CPE), positioned in an area of coverage overlap between two cells is used for inter-base station communications, and allocation and scheduling of bandwidth on the utilized channels is performed to provide interference free communications between the base stations. Existence announcements are provided in coexistence time slots and requests for bandwidth such as reserved and additional time slots are transmitted between the base stations using the coexistence time slots.

Abstract: A coexistence communications method for use between wireless networks includes adopting a super-frame structure for use in a wireless network having a plurality of frames, wherein a first frame includes a super-frame preamble, a super-frame control header, a data portion, and a regular self-coexistence window, an intermediate frame includes an OFDM symbol, a data portion, and a regular self-coexistence window, and a last frame includes an OFDM symbol, a data portion, and a joining self-coexistence window, using the self-coexistence windows to exchange inter-wireless network co-existence messages, and using a last reserved self-coexistence window to announce intra-wireless network negotiation decisions.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and in particular to a method of addressing zero-delay frequency switching for cognitive dynamic frequency hopping. The method combines regular (periodic) channel maintenance with dynamic frequency hopping over a cluster of vacated channels that are initially setup such that the switching delays for channel setup and channel availability check are eliminated.

Abstract: Data service transmission interruption is minimized by initially setting up a cluster of channels to transmit data services. As the need arises to switch channels due to the detection of an incumbent signal, the data services can be switched with substantially no delay. A group of channels from those available in a wireless network are chosen to form a cluster of channels. Each channel within the cluster is set up to convey data services with channel parameters being stored. A first operating channel is chosen from among the cluster of channels to transmit the data services. While the data services are being transmitted on the first operating channel, out-of-band spectrum sensing occurs on the other channels. Upon predetermined criteria a channel switch occurs. As each channel has already been set up the necessary channel parameters are retrieved from storage and restored without data service interruption.

Abstract: A self-coexistence window reservation protocol for a plurality of Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) cells operating in a WRAN over a plurality of channels includes a sequence of self-coexistence windows that uniquely identifies a transmission period for each WRAN cell. A self-coexistence window reservation protocol is included within the first packet of a Coexistence Beaconing Protocol period identifying when each WRAN cell associated with a particular channel will transmit. When not actively transmitting, a WRAN cells remains in a passive, receiving mode to accept data. As the transmissions of each WRAN cell operating on a particular channel are scheduled, contention for a transmission period is eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and in particular to a method of addressing zero-delay frequency switching for cognitive dynamic frequency hopping. The method combines regular (periodic) channel maintenance with dynamic frequency hopping over a cluster of vacated channels that are initially setup such that the switching delays for channel setup and channel availability check are eliminated.

Abstract: A common control channel for base station (“BS”)/consumer premise equipment (“CPE”) communication in areas of overlapping coverage by wireless regional area network (“WRAN”) cells operating on different working channels is disclosed. A common control channel is selected from among the various working channels sensed in each of a plurality of overlapping WRAN cells so as to enable BS/CPE and BS/BS communication. Once chosen, each CPE within the overlapping area communicates with the controlling BS via an enhanced coexistence beacon protocol messages. These messages include timing and other synchronization information.

Abstract: A self-coexistence window reservation protocol for a plurality of Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) cells operating in a WRAN over a plurality of channels includes a sequence of self-coexistence windows that uniquely identifies a transmission period for each WRAN cell. A self-coexistence window reservation protocol is included within the first packet of a Coexistence Beaconing Protocol period identifying when each WRAN cell associated with a particular channel will transmit. When not actively transmitting, a WRAN cells remains in a passive, receiving mode to accept data. As the transmissions of each WRAN cell operating on a particular channel are scheduled, contention for a transmission period is eliminated.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and more particularly to a method of addressing radio frequency sensing control and dynamic frequency selection control. A method called Cognitive Dynamic Frequency Hopping that is based on the selective Simultaneous Sensing and Data Transmissions is described. The Cognitive Dynamic Frequency Hopping method is further facilitated by a collision avoidance technique. The described method satisfies both reliable and timely RF sensing for guaranteeing licensed user protection, and QoS satisfaction for services of the dynamic spectrum access systems.

Abstract: For enhanced interoperability of safety and non-safety communications, a synchronous interval is divided into a safety channel interval and an open interval instead of a CCH (control channel) interval and SCH (service channel) interval. For a single-radio device, a control interval, in place of an open interval should be scheduled at least once every maximum service scheduling period. Such a control interval is dedicated for CCH (and SCH) operation. For a multi-radio device, a control interval is scheduled at least once every maximum control interval on one of the radios support non-safety services (e.g. tolling).

Abstract: Discovery of safety and non-safety capable single-radio devices in vehicular wireless environments is made possible through the use a two-bit indicator. A first indicator is associated with a type C device. A second indicator is associated with a non-type C device within one hop of a type C device. A third indicator is associated with a non-type C device within two hops of a type C device. A fourth indicator is associated with a non-type C device within three hops or more (out of range) of a type C device. Discovery of safety and non-safety capable single-radio vehicular devices within a protection range in multiple-channel based wireless vehicular environments is thus made possible.

Abstract: For enhanced interoperability of safety and non-safety communications, a dual-radio type T RSU for improving services includes a first radio dedicated to the control channel and a second radio dedicated to the safety channel. The control channel is divided into a number of synchronous intervals, each about 100 milliseconds in duration. The safety channel is also divided into a number of synchronous intervals, each about 100 milliseconds in duration.

Abstract: A method for communications between neighboring wireless cells such as wireless regional area networks operating according to IEEE 802.22 specifications. The method involves scheduling inter-base station communications for over-the-air connections to allow neighboring base stations to communicate in environments where a single available channel is shared between the neighboring cells or where two or more channels used by two or more neighboring cells. In some embodiments, a bridge system, such as a bridge consumer premise equipment (CPE), positioned in an area of coverage overlap between two cells is used for inter-base station communications, and allocation and scheduling of bandwidth on the utilized channels is performed to provide interference free communications between the base stations. Existence announcements are provided in coexistence time slots and requests for bandwidth such as reserved and additional time slots are transmitted between the base stations using the coexistence time slots.