METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING DYNAMIC SHARING OF SPECTRUM SERVICES

Abstract

An approach is provided for managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. The approach involves causing information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database. The approach also involves processing a request for spectrum sharing to cause a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based on a matching of one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing. The approach further involves causing one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based on the matching.

Description

BACKGROUND

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. Numerous organizations have forecast significant mobile broadband traffic growth over the coming 5-10 years worldwide. On average, those forecasts approach 80% compound annual growth rate. This high traffic growth leads to the conclusion that spectrum (current and planned) targeted for exclusive licensing by mobile broadband carriers could be exhausted before the end of the decade. On the other hand, in spite of the potential spectrum scarcity problem, spectrum utilization measurements in most countries, worldwide, have shown that there is a large amount of underutilized spectrum in the 300 MHz to 6 GHz range. Industry and regulatory agencies are aware of these facts and issues, and are thereby trying to adopt more flexible and dynamic regulatory framework to enable spectrum sharing or access, which is called Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), respectively. DSS and DSA may enable a secondary user or spectrum holder in need of spectrum availability to use spectrum assigned to, or owned by, a primary user or spectrum holder without any harmful interference.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises causing, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders. The method also comprises processing a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to cause, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders. The apparatus is also caused to process a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to cause, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders. The apparatus is also caused to process a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein. It is envisioned, however, that any system that incorporates features of any apparatus, method and/or system described herein are encompassed by the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a cloud spectrum services management platform, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services, according to one embodiment. The concept of Cloud Spectrum Services (CSS) has been proposed to realize a form of DSS/DSA that is centered on a network cloud. Specifically, the cloud may enable management of the dynamic (real-time) allocation, re-claiming, de-allocation, auditing, and optimized usage of rented spectrum between primary spectrum holders and operators/users/content providers, or in other words, alternate spectrum holders.

However, there are currently no interfaces and protocols that enable communications among entities such as primary spectrum holders, alternate spectrum holders, spectrum brokers or management services, and/or regulatory agencies to facilitate dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. Rather, any conventional services having DSS/DSA capability are either implemented by way of a static database where secondary systems can be in service (e.g., TV whitespace), or through spectrum sensing by secondary systems without any mutual coordination with primary services (e.g. DFS-enabled WiFi operation in a 5 GHz band).

To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to manage dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. For instance, the system 100 addresses the need for interfaces and protocols that enable communications among entities such as primary spectrum holders, alternate spectrum holders, spectrum brokers or management services, and/or regulatory agencies to facilitate dynamic sharing of available spectrum services by way of a cloud interface.

There are four major stakeholders in CSS: 1) a primary spectrum service holder having an exclusive right to use a specific spectrum service, 2) an alternate spectrum holder, e.g. a cellular or mobile broadband operator or service provider that may need to rent or borrow pieces of the spectrum owned or assigned to the primary spectrum service holder, 3) a regulatory agency that manages spectrum allocation and/or authorizes a renting or sharing deal between the primary spectrum service holder and the alternate spectrum service holder, and 4) a spectrum broker or management service that manages CSS transactions performed in the CSS cloud.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises user equipment (UE) 101a-101n (collectively referred to as UE 101) having connectivity to a CSS management platform 103, one or more primary spectrum service holders 107a-107n (collectively referred to as primary spectrum service holder 107), one or more alternate spectrum service holders 109a-109n (collectively referred to as alternate spectrum service holder 109), a CSS database 111, and one or more a spectrum service allocation regulators 113a-113n (collectively referred to as spectrum service allocation regulator 113) via a communication network 105. While all of the UE 101, CSS management platform 103, primary spectrum service holder 107, alternate spectrum service holder 109, CSS database 111 and spectrum service regulator 113 are all illustrated as having connectivity to the communication network 105, each of these features may or may not have direct connectivity to one another, according to various embodiments and system architectures.

According to various embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 may be operated by a spectrum broker or management service and be operatively connected to, or include, the CSS database 111. The CSS management platform 103 may also be configured to store various computational resources to perform CSS transactions in the CSS database 111 or in another memory associated with the CSS management platform 103.

According to various embodiments, the infrastructure of the alternate spectrum service holder 109 may be a radio access network (RAN) and/or a core network that has a capability to use various available spectrum services provided by the primary spectrum service holder 107 as rental spectrum, for example. Additionally, the UE 101 may be a CSS-capable multi-mode device, for example, capable of using various available spectrum services provided by the primary spectrum service holder 107.

In one or more embodiments, there may be any combination of one or more of the following four logical interfaces. For example, a first interface is defined between the primary spectrum service holder 107 and the CSS database 111. A second interface is defined between the alternate spectrum service holder 109 and the CSS management platform 103. A third interface is defined between the CSS management platform 103 and the CSS database 111. A fourth interface is defined between the primary spectrum service holder 107 and CSS management platform 103.

According to various embodiments, depending on CSS architecture, there may also, or alternatively, be other logical interfaces defined between the CSS management platform 103 and the UE 101, and/or the spectrum service allocation regulator 113. Or, the spectrum service allocation regulator may directly interface with the primary spectrum service holder 107.

In one or more embodiments, the primary spectrum service holder 107 provides the CSS management platform 103 and/or the CSS database 111 directly or by way of the CSS management platform 103 information, for instance, regarding which spectrum services such as radio resources are available for a particular period of time on a dynamic basis. The information regarding available spectrum services provided by the primary spectrum service holder 107 is accordingly stored in the CSS database 111.

According to various embodiments, the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 provides the CSS management platform 103 via an interface with one or more spectrum sharing requests regarding spectrum renting. For example, if the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 determines that additional spectrum services are needed beyond those currently available to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 or estimated as being available in the future to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101, the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 makes a request for spectrum sharing that is sent to the CSS management platform 103 so that a need for current or future spectrum services may be satisfied.

For example, the request for spectrum sharing may specify various service criteria or details regarding the request such as, but not limited to, one or more of a period of time during which the requested spectrum sharing is to occur, a price offering range for the requested spectrum sharing, a frequency range within which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur, a performance requirement associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing, and a spectrum service holder with which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur.

The primary spectrum service holder 107, along with the information regarding which spectrum services are available, may indicate various spectrum sharing criteria to CSS management platform 103 regarding renting conditions including, but not limited to, an asking price for sharing an available spectrum service, a performance data of the available spectrum service, a frequency range of the available spectrum service, and a spectrum sharing requestor with which the available spectrum service is allowed to be shared.

Based on a receipt of a request for spectrum service sharing, the CSS management platform 103 obtains information stored in the CSS database 111, and analyzes the alternate spectrum service holder 109's or the UE 101's requests for spectrum sharing, and may also consider any regulatory rules that are provided by the spectrum service allocation regulator 113 to cause an allocation of one or more available spectrum services to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101.

For example, the CSS management platform 103 may compare the various spectrum sharing criteria set by the primary spectrum service holder 107 with the service criteria provided by the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101. Based on this comparison, the CSS management platform 103 may determine whether a particular available spectrum service should be shared with the requesting alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101. The determination to share the available spectrum service may be based, for example, on a matching between the spectrum sharing criteria stored in the CSS database 111 and the service criteria provided by the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101. The matching may be based on an optimization routine associated with pairing the various spectrum sharing criteria and the various service criteria, for example. Then, based on the matching, a decision to share an available spectrum service stored in the CSS database 111 may be made and the available spectrum service may be allocated to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101.

For example, if a primary spectrum service holder 107 only wants to enable sharing/renting of its available spectrum services to certain competitor carriers at particular times, the CSS management platform 103 causes a decision to share available spectrum services to be made in accordance with that particular combination of spectrum sharing criteria. Or, for example, if a primary spectrum service holder 107 will only rent or share its available spectrum services for a particular minimum price, the CSS management platform 103 will only match an alternate spectrum service holder 109 or UE 101 that has a price offering that meets the asking price provided in the spectrum sharing criteria. According to various embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 may be configured to maximize the revenue produced by sharing available spectrum services. For example, if an alternate spectrum service holder 109 or a UE 101 provides service criteria including a price offering or a price range that exceeds the asking price for spectrum rental, the CSS management platform 103 will allocate the available spectrum services to the highest bidder (assuming multiple bidding alternate spectrum service holders 109 or UE 101's, for example) and/or, if there is only one bidding entity, will allocate the available spectrum service at the maximum of the offered range, rather than at the asking price which may be lower than the offered range.

In one or more embodiments, the various spectrum sharing criteria and/or the service criteria may be weighted such that certain criteria is more important than other criteria, so that the decision to share spectrum services may be based on a weighted matching. For instance, if a spectrum sharing criteria is set to be limited to a particular time has a weighting of “X”, but a price point for spectrum sharing is set as “Y” which is more heavily weighted than X, and a particular price point offered by the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 causes the timing limit to be overridden, the CSS management platform 103 may cause a decision to share the available spectrum service based on the price offering even though the primary spectrum service holder 107 would normally not allow spectrum sharing during the time at which the request for sharing spectrum services is made or the time at which the spectrum sharing is to occur. In other words, if a primary spectrum service holder 107 does not want to share spectrum services with a competitor such as alternate spectrum service holder 109 or UE 101 during peak hours, the primary spectrum service holder 107 may do so if the price is right.

It should be noted that the above examples are merely exemplary regarding potential matching, alignment, weighting, optimization and/or reasoning for comparing and matching an alternate spectrum service holder 109 or UE 101 with an available spectrum service provided by primary spectrum service holder 107. Any type of data or criteria, combination, or weighting scheme for spectrum sharing and/or service criteria may be provided to the CSS management platform 103 for consideration when making a determination to share available spectrum services and when allocating available spectrum services to an alternate spectrum service holder 107 and/or a UE 101.

Additionally, the CSS management platform 103 may consider any regulatory rules provided by the spectrum service allocation regulator 113 when determining to share the available spectrum service with the requesting alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101. For example, any regulatory rules that govern allocation of spectrum services by way of rental, borrowing, sharing, etc. may be considered when the CSS management platform 103 optimizes the matching of spectrum sharing criteria and service criteria, or the CSS management platform 103 may apply the regulatory rules after a determination to share the available spectrum services is made and the regulatory rules are applied to approve or disapprove of the decision to share the available spectrum services and/or the allocation of the available spectrum services to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101.

In one or more embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 updates the CSS database 111 regarding the allocation of the available spectrum services to the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101. The CSS management platform 103 may also advise the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 of a decision on their request for spectrum sharing by way of a notification message. The notification message may include specific details regarding the decision to share the available spectrum service and/or the allocation such as price paid, price to be paid, time for the allocation, frequency allocation, primary spectrum service holder details, etc.

The CSS management platform 103 may also report the allocation of the available spectrum service to the primary spectrum service holder 107 by way of a notification message. The notification message may include specific details regarding the decision to share the spectrum service and/or the allocation such as price paid, price to be paid, time for the allocation, frequency allocation, primary spectrum service holder details, etc.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a wired data network, a wireless network, a telephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), WiGig, wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).

By way of example, the UE 101, CSS management platform 103, primary spectrum service holder 107, alternate spectrum service holder 109, and optionally CSS database 111 and spectrum service allocation regulator 113 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of CSS management platform 103, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the CSS management platform 103 includes one or more components for managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the CSS management platform 103 includes a communication module 201, a control logic 203, a sharing decision module 205, a regulatory rules module 207, an allocation module 209, and optionally the CSS database 111, discussed above.

According to various embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 receives information regarding one or more available spectrum services provided by the primary spectrum service holder 107 by way of the communication module 201. The control logic 203 causes the information regarding the one or more available spectrum services to be stored in the CSS database 111. A request for spectrum sharing may be received by the communication module 201. Upon receipt of the request for spectrum sharing, the control logic 203 instructs the sharing decision module 205 to assess any information associated with the request for spectrum sharing such as service criteria discussed above and/or the source of the request for spectrum sharing such as alternate spectrum service holder 109 or UE 101. The sharing decision module 205 accordingly compares the information associated with the request for spectrum sharing with any information associated with the available spectrum services stored in the CSS database 111 such as, but not limited to, any spectrum sharing criteria and/or any regulatory rules managed by the regulatory rules module 207 to determine to share one or more of the available spectrum services with the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

As discussed above, the decision to share spectrum services may be made inclusive of any available regulatory rules or be made before any regulatory rules are applied to verify a decision to share the available spectrum services. Upon making a decision to share one or more available spectrum services, the control logic 203 causes the allocation module 209 to facilitate sharing of the available spectrum services by allocating one or more available spectrum services to the source of the request for spectrum sharing, i.e. the alternate spectrum service holder 107 or the UE 101.

Upon allocating the available spectrum services to the source of the request for spectrum sharing, the allocation module 209 notifies one or more of the primary spectrum service holder 107 and the alternate spectrum service holder 109 or the UE 101 that the allocation has occurred and may also indicate various details related to the decision to share the one or more available spectrum services such as price, time, provider, etc. by way of the communication module 201. Additionally, the allocation module 209 causes the CSS database 111 to be updated to reflect the allocated spectrum services.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the CSS management platform 103 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 4. In step 301, the CSS management platform 103 causes, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database. The information comprises one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services. The one or more spectrum sharing criteria is provided by the one or more spectrum service holders. According to various embodiments, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria may include one or more of a period of time during which the one or more spectrum services are available, an asking price for sharing the available spectrum service, a performance data of the available spectrum service, a frequency range of the available spectrum service, and a spectrum sharing requestor with which the available spectrum service is allowed to be shared.

Then, in step 303, the CSS management platform 103 processes a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing. The determination to share the one or more spectrum services is based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing. According to various embodiments, the one or more service criteria may include one or more of a period of time during which the requested spectrum sharing is to occur, a price offering range for the requested spectrum sharing, a frequency range within which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur, a performance requirement associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing, and a spectrum service holder with which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur. Additionally, the source of the request for spectrum sharing may by any of another spectrum service holder and/or a client such as UE 101 discussed above.

Next, in step 305, the CSS management platform 103 optionally determines one or more regulatory rules associated with a spectrum service allocation regulator and causes, at least in part, the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be further based on the one or more regulatory rules.

The process continues to step 307 in which the CSS management platform 103 causes, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching. Then, in step 309, the CSS management platform 103 causes, at least in part, the cloud spectrum service database to be updated based, at least in part, on the allocation of the one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

Next, in step 311, the CSS management platform 103 causes, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the one or more spectrum service holders associated with the one or more allocated spectrum services. According to various embodiments, the notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services may include one or more details relating to the determination to share the one or more spectrum services with the source of the spectrum sharing request. The process continues to step 313 in which the CSS management platform 103 causes, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

The processes described herein for managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a chip set or chip 400 upon which an embodiment may be implemented. Chip set 400 is programmed to manage a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services as described herein may include, for example, bus 401, processor 403, memory 405, DSP 407 and ASIC 409 components.

The processor 403 and memory 405 may be incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set 400 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 400 can be implemented as a single “system on a chip.” It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 400, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services.

In one or more embodiments, the chip set or chip 400 includes a communication mechanism such as bus 401 for passing information among the components of the chip set 400. Processor 403 has connectivity to the bus 401 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 405. The processor 403 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 403 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 401 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 403 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 407, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 409. A DSP 407 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 403. Similarly, an ASIC 409 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one or more embodiments, the processor (or multiple processors) 403 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 401 and placing information on the bus 401. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 403, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

The processor 403 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 405 via the bus 401. The memory 405 may include one or more of dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to manage a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. The memory 405 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

In one or more embodiments, the memory 405, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for managing a dynamic sharing of available spectrum services. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by system 100. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 405 is also used by the processor 403 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The memory 405 may also be a read only memory (ROM) or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 401 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the system 100. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. The memory 405 may also be a non-volatile (persistent) storage device, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the system 100 is turned off or otherwise loses power.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 403, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

While a number of embodiments and implementations have been described, the above discussion is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of various embodiments are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders;

processing a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing; and

causing, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining one or more regulatory rules associated with a spectrum service allocation regulator; and

causing, at least in part, the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be further based on the one or more regulatory rules.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, the cloud spectrum service database to be updated based, at least in part, on the allocation of the one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the one or more spectrum service holders associated with the one or more allocated spectrum services.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein the notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services comprises one or more details relating to the determination to share the one or more spectrum services with the source of the spectrum sharing request.

6. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein the one or more spectrum sharing criteria comprises a period of time during which the one or more spectrum services are available.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the one or more spectrum sharing criteria comprises one or more of an asking price for sharing the available spectrum service, a performance data of the available spectrum service, a frequency range of the available spectrum service, and a spectrum sharing requestor with which the available spectrum service is allowed to be shared.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein the one or more service criteria comprises one or more of a period of time during which the requested spectrum sharing is to occur, a price offering range for the requested spectrum sharing, a frequency range within which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur, a performance requirement associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing, and a spectrum service holder with which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur.

10. A method of claim 1, wherein the source of the request for spectrum sharing is another spectrum service holder.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

cause, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders;

process a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing; and

cause, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine one or more regulatory rules associated with a spectrum service allocation regulator; and

cause, at least in part, the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be further based on the one or more regulatory rules.

13. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, the cloud spectrum service database to be updated based, at least in part, on the allocation of the one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

14. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the one or more spectrum service holders associated with the one or more allocated spectrum services.

15. An apparatus claim 14, wherein the notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services comprises one or more details relating to the determination to share the one or more spectrum services with the source of the spectrum sharing request.

16. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a notification indicating the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be sent to the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

17. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more spectrum sharing criteria comprises a period of time during which the one or more spectrum services are available.

18. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more spectrum sharing criteria comprises one or more of an asking price for sharing the available spectrum service, a performance data of the available spectrum service, a frequency range of the available spectrum service, and a spectrum sharing requestor with which the available spectrum service is allowed to be shared.

19. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more service criteria comprises one or more of a period of time during which the requested spectrum sharing is to occur, a price offering range for the requested spectrum sharing, a frequency range within which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur, a performance requirement associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing, and a spectrum service holder with which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur.

20. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the source of the request for spectrum sharing is another spectrum service holder.

21. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to:

cause, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprising one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders;

process a request for spectrum sharing to cause, at least in part, a determination to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing; and

cause, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

22. A computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine one or more regulatory rules associated with a spectrum service allocation regulator; and

cause, at least in part, the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services to be further based on the one or more regulatory rules.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a control logic that causes, at least in part, information corresponding to one or more available spectrum services provided by one or more spectrum service holders to be stored in a cloud spectrum service database, the information comprises one or more spectrum sharing criteria respectively associated with the one or more available spectrum services, the one or more spectrum sharing criteria being provided by the one or more spectrum service holders;

a communication module that receives a request for spectrum sharing;

a sharing decision module that determines to share one or more of the one or more available spectrum services with a source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on a matching of the one or more spectrum sharing criteria stored in the cloud spectrum service database and one or more service criteria associated with the source of the request for spectrum sharing; and

an allocation module that causes, at least in part, one or more of the one or more available spectrum services to be allocated to the source of the request for spectrum sharing based, at least in part, on the matching.

24. An apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a regulatory rules module that determines one or more regulatory rules associated with a spectrum service allocation regulator,

wherein the allocation of the one or more available spectrum services is further based on the one or more regulatory rules.