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: 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: 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 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: Clean and reliable channel sensing during dynamic frequency hopping over a plurality of overlapping wireless regional area network (WRAN) cells is conducted using a minimum number of channels. By coordinating a phase-shift of the operation periods of each WRAN cell over a minimum number of working channels, interruption-free communication and data transmission for each of the WRAN cells as well as interference-free channel sensing can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for interoperations between single-radio (channel switching) devices and single-radio (always-on) devices includes single-radio (always-on) devices keep announcing safety messages on the safety channel at any time and keep monitoring packet transmissions on the safety channel at all times when it not transmitting in a normal mode; single-radio (channel switching) devices announce safety messages on the safety channel and keep monitoring packet transmissions on the safety channel during a safety channel interval; and once a single-radio (always-on) device detects the existence of a single-radio (channel-switching) device after successfully receiving at least one safety message transmitted by the single-radio (channel-switching) device during the safety channel interval, it enters to an interoperation mode, in which the single-radio (always-on) device shall transmit safety messages at least during the safety channel interval of the single-radio (channel-switching) device.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and more particularly to a method of addressing inter-systems (cells) coexistence and spectrum sharing. The described method of spectrum sharing called On-Demand Spectrum Contention, integrates Dynamic Frequency Selection and Transmission Power Control with iterative on-demand spectrum contentions and provides fairness, adaptability, and efficiency of spectrum access for dynamic spectrum access systems using active inter-system coordination.

Abstract: A Dynamic Frequency Hopping Community (DFH Community) is formed from a plurality of Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) cells wherein each of the plurality of WRAN cells within the DFH Community is a one-hop neighbor of the leader cell. The leader cell sets and distributes a hopping pattern for use among the WRAN cells based on, in part, the number of usable channels and whether a WRAN cell is shared by two groups in the DFH Community.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and more particularly to a method of addressing inter-systems (cells) coexistence and spectrum sharing. The described method of spectrum sharing, called On-Demand Spectrum Contention, integrates Dynamic Frequency Selection and Transmission Power Control with iterative on-demand spectrum contentions and provides fairness, adaptability, and efficiency of spectrum access for dynamic spectrum access systems using active inter-system coordination.

Abstract: A method for creating and maintaining semi-dynamic frequency hopping communities. Each community is a set of neighboring cells, such as wireless regional area networks (WRANs) according to IEEE 802.22, that follow a protocol defining coordinated frequency hopping operations, e.g., hopping is performed by community members according to a leader-defined hopping pattern rather than to channels selected in the prior operation period. Each community has one leader base station and one or more community member base stations. The leader determines membership, calculates hopping patterns for all members, and distributes the hopping information to the community members. Members provide their neighborhood and channel availability information, e.g., information about their sensing results and channel usage of neighboring WRANs.

Abstract: This invention relates to cognitive radio based wireless communications of dynamic spectrum access networks, and more particularly to a method of addressing messaging control for dynamic frequency selection. The method of the invention provides an efficient, reliable and flexible messaging mechanism for DFS decision-making that is critical for licensed incumbent protection and inter-system coexistence of dynamic spectrum access systems.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized, targeted requests are issued to base stations currently occupying targeted data frames. A contention resolution occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource. The winner of the base station is announced and after a predetermined period of time, the contention winner occupies the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized targeted requests are issued to base stations currently occupying targeted data frames. A contention resolution occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource. The winner of the base station is announced and after a predetermined period of time the contention winner occupies the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized, targeted requests are issued to base stations currently occupying targeted data frames. A contention resolution occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource. The winner of the base station is announced and after a predetermined period of time, the contention winner occupies the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized, targeted protocol is followed resulting in targeted requests issued to base stations currently occupying certain data frames. A contention resolution process occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource in which spectrum contention numbers generated by each base station vying for access to a shared spectrum are compared. The base station winning the contention is announced and after a predetermined period of time, the contention winner occupies the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized targeted requests are issued to base stations currently occupying targeted data frames. A contention resolution occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource. The winner of the base station is announced and after a predetermined period of time the contention winner occupies the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: A frame-based, on-demand spectrum contention protocol provides a fine grain allocation of a shared spectrum resource in a cognitive radio network. Each frame of a plurality of synchronized superframes is allocated independently based on contention criteria. As demands for increased spectrum resources are realized, targeted requests are issued to base stations currently occupying targeted data frames via vector messages. Such messages, carried by a beacon period within each data frame, identify to the current occupier of a data frame which data frames have been targeted for contention. A contention resolution occurs at the base station currently occupying the targeted spectrum resource and the results of which are communicated via other vector messages. After a predetermined period of time a vector message announces the release of the data allowing the contention winner to occupy the contended spectrum resource.

Abstract: The message flows of a distributed, cooperative, and real-time protocol for frame-based spectrum sharing called Frame-based On-Demand Spectrum Contention (FODSC) employs interactive MAC messaging on an inter-network communication channel to provide efficient, scalable, and fair inter-network spectrum sharing among the coexisting cognitive radio cells.

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: A protocol for inter-cell communication in a cognitive radio wireless access network using beacon period framing is disclosed. By establishing scheduled use of beacon periods within each frame of a super-frame among a plurality of participating cells in a wireless access network, efficient and reliable communication can take place eliminating beacon packet collisions and bandwidth wastage. Within each super-frame exits 16 data frames of fixed size which can each include both a data transmission portion and a beacon period. A protocol is established by which announcement, reserved, and free-to-use beacon periods are established within the super-frames associated with a particular spectrum. By coordinating communication between cells on the beacon period, collision between cells by simultaneous attempts to transmit or bandwidth wastage of periods in which no transmission takes place can be avoided.