Abstract: An OFDM communication system employs a cell time division time frame for a plurality of overlapping cells wherein the time frame comprises time slots with each time slot allocated to one of the overlapping cells and each time slot being either an information exchange time slot or a data time slot. Remote nodes (101-105) transmit resource requests for at least one subcarrier in a data time slot to one or more of the central nodes (107, 109) in the information exchange time slots of those nodes (107, 109). The central nodes (107, 109) broadcast information of uplink channel characteristics received in the request messages and the remote nodes (101-105) use this to determine whether to abandon or continue the resource request. Eventually, the remote node may decide to use the resource and thus to transmit in the associated data time slot. A distributed multi-cell resource allocation can be achieved based on distributed decisions in the remote stations.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101) for a radio communication system comprises a device token controller (403) which receives at least a first geographical radio resource token allocated to the wireless communication unit (101) by a radio resource token controller (117) of a network of the radio communication system. The first geographical radio resource token provides a first radio resource right allocation to the wireless communication unit (101) for a first geographical area. A radio resource manager (407) then determines a radio resource usage parameter in response to the first radio resource right allocation. Specifically, the radio resource manager (407) may only determine the radio resource usage parameter in response to the first radio resource right allocation if the location estimate is within the first geographical area. The radio communication system may be a heterogeneous communication system.

Abstract: An apparatus for resource sharing between a plurality of communication networks (103, 107, 111) each having a nominal resource allocation of a shared air interface resource and a resource exchange allowance is provided. The apparatus (201) comprises a sharing instigation processor (205) which initiates a temporary resource allocation of a first air interface resource from a nominal resource allocation of a first network (103). A network interface (201) receives offer messages from a plurality of networks (107, 111). Each offer message comprises a resource exchange offer value for at least part of the first air interface resource. A selection processor (207) selects a second network (107) for example by selecting the highest offer value for a given resource. An allocation message generator (211) transmits a resource allocation message to the second network (107) indicating a temporary allocation of at least part of the first air interface resource.

Abstract: A method of resource sharing between a plurality of communication networks each having a nominal resource allocation of a shared air interface resource and a resource exchange allowance is provided. A temporary resource allocation of a first air interface resource from a nominal resource allocation of a first network is initiated. Subsequently, a plurality of offer rounds are executed with each offer round comprising determining offer values for the first air interface resource. A second network is then selected in response to the determined offer values and subsequently a resource allocation message is transmitted to the second network. The resource allocation message indicates a temporary allocation of at least part of the first air interface resource from the first network to the second network. Consequently, the resource exchange allowance of the second network is reduced accordingly. Each offer round comprises receiving new offer values from the first plurality of networks.

Abstract: A method of resource sharing between a plurality of communication networks each having a nominal resource allocation of a shared air interface resource and a resource exchange allowance is provided. A temporary resource allocation of a first air interface resource from a nominal resource allocation of a first network is initiated (403). Subsequently, a plurality of offer rounds are executed (405) with each offer round comprising determining offer values for the first air interface resource. A second network is then selected (407) in response to the determined offer values and subsequently a resource allocation message is transmitted (409) to the second network. The resource allocation message indicates a temporary allocation of at least part of the first air interface resource from the first network to the second network. Consequently, the resource exchange allowance of the second network is reduced (411) accordingly. Each offer round comprises receiving new offer values from the first plurality of networks.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises a set of base stations (201,203) which transmit downlink resource exchange discovery messages to remote terminals in resource allocations of a Media Access Control, MAC, frame structure. The discovery messages may indicate that a base station has resource available for reallocation to another base station or that a base station is seeking resource to be allocated from another base station. A remote terminal (205) comprises a receiver (401, 403) which receives a first message of the downlink resource exchange discovery messages from at least a first base station (201). A discovery message transmit processor (407) generates a second message, which is an uplink resource exchange message comprising resource exchange data determined from the first message, and transmits this to a second base station (203). The second base station (203) then initiates a temporary air interface resource reallocation with the first base station in response to receiving the second message.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit (101) for a radio communication system comprises a device token controller (403) which receives at least a first geographical radio resource token allocated to the wireless communication unit (101) by a radio resource token controller (117) of a network of the radio communication system. The first geographical radio resource token provides a first radio resource right allocation to the wireless communication unit (101) for a first geographical area. A radio resource manager (407) then determines a radio resource usage parameter in response to the first radio resource right allocation. Specifically, the radio resource manager (407) may only determine the radio resource usage parameter in response to the first radio resource right allocation if the location estimate is within the first geographical area. The radio communication system may be a heterogeneous communication system.

Abstract: An OFDM communication system employs a cell time division time frame for a plurality of overlapping cells wherein the time frame comprises time slots with each time slot allocated to one of the overlapping cells and each time slot being either an information exchange time slot or a data time slot. Remote nodes (101-105) transmit resource requests for at least one subcarrier in a data time slot to one or more of the central nodes (107, 109) in the information exchange time slots of those nodes (107, 109). The central nodes (107, 109) broadcast information of uplink channel characteristics received in the request messages and the remote nodes (101-105) use this to determine whether to abandon or continue the resource request. Eventually, the remote node may decide to use the resource and thus to transmit in the associated data time slot. A distributed multi-cell resource allocation can be achieved based on distributed decisions in the remote stations.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises a set of base stations (201,203) which transmit downlink resource exchange discovery messages to remote terminals in resource allocations of a Media Access Control, MAC, frame structure. The discovery messages may indicate that a base station has resource available for reallocation to another base station or that a base station is seeking resource to be allocated from another base station. A remote terminal (205) comprises a receiver (401, 403) which receives a first message of the downlink resource exchange discovery messages from at least a first base station (201). A discovery message transmit processor (407) generates a second message, which is an uplink resource exchange message comprising resource exchange data determined from the first message, and transmits this to a second base station (203). The second base station (203) then initiates a temporary air interface resource reallocation with the first base station in response to receiving the second message.

Abstract: An apparatus for resource sharing between a plurality of communication networks (103, 107, 111) each having a nominal resource allocation of a shared air interface resource and a resource exchange allowance is provided. The apparatus (201) comprises a sharing instigation processor (205) which initiates a temporary resource allocation of a first air interface resource from a nominal resource allocation of a first network (103). A network interface (201) receives offer messages from a plurality of networks (107, 111). Each offer message comprises a resource exchange offer value for at least part of the first air interface resource. A selection processor (207) selects a second network (107) for example by selecting the highest offer value for a given resource. An allocation message generator (211) transmits a resource allocation message to the second network (107) indicating a temporary allocation of at least part of the first air interface resource.