Dynamic Property Rights Spectrum Access: Flexible Ownership Based Spectrum Management

Abstract

Abstract-In this paper we develop a framework for operator competition based on short term ownership of spectrum resources and devise a dynamic spectrum access method called "Dynamic Property Rights Spectrum Access (D-Pass)". In the D-Pass model, spectrum portions are allocated to operators on a short term basis (few sessions) by a SPS (Spectrum Policy Server) that serves as a controller/enforcer as well as a clearinghouse for spectrum allocations. Prior to each short term allocation, the SPS optimally determines a specific partition of spectrum resources among the operators to maximize a system related objective function. The operators are charged by the SPS for the amount of spectrum they are allocated. Given the spectrum allocation, the operators compete with each other for users present in the system through demand responsive pricing, in the form of an iterative bidding scheme reminiscent of simultaneous ascending auctions. At every iteration, the operators make rate and price offers for each user considering the bandwidth allocated to them and their costs associated with serving the users. The users respond by declaring the probabilities with which they will accept the service offers made. We consider two different objective functions for the SPS to maximize while determining the exact partition of the spectrum resources: (1) the total expected bandwidth utilization, (2) the minimum acceptance probability that a user accepts the offered service. We demonstrate several tradeoffs between these objectives through numerical experiments and illustrate the effect of bandwidth cost on these tradeoffs. Our results also suggest that employing short term allocation of resources could potentially lead to performance gains as opposed to static allocation of resources, especially in regimes where the bandwidth is relatively expensive.

Dynamic spectrum access models: toward an engineering perspective in the spectrum debate

“…The dynamic spectrum access models considered rely on a quasi-centralized mechanism that coordinates spectrum sharing while retaining the distributed decision making of users. The framework here is enabled by the presence of a spectrum policy server [8][9][10], which functions as a controller/enforcer as well as a clearinghouse for spectrum allocations. In this framework there is a dynamic competition phase in which operators compete for users of spectrum.…”

“…In [8][9][10] this issue is addressed via the introduction of a spectrum policy server (SPS). The SPS is a central server responsible for coordinating spectrum access in a specified geographical region, as shown in Fig.…”

“…The SPS determines the optimal partition of the available spectrum among the operators to maximize the expected bandwidth utilization in the system. The SPS mediates the operator competition through the realization of an iterative bidding scheme [9] reminiscent of a simultaneous ascending auction [13].…”

A Monitoring Network for Spectrum Governance

“…Also, the vast amount of measurement data can be used as input for DSA enabled radios to facilitate the search for the appropriate white space. There exists already quite some literature that describes how to allocate [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], manage [8], [9], [10], [11], standardize [12], [13], [14], [15], and use the spectrum as secondary user [16], [17], [18], [19] (e. g. Spectrum User Rights (SUR), Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), Dynamic Spectrum Management (DSM)) in an efficient way. Moreover, how it affects current regulation [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27] that argue the need for a monitoring network to assure compliance of (DSA) radio equipment with regulatory rules [20], [23].…”

Spectrum Handoff in Cognitive Radio Networks: A Survey

“…Thus, the persistent increase in demand of spectrum cannot be fulfilled unless an alternate scheme to regulate the scarce spectrum in not found. This new scheme is the dynamic spectrum access (DSA) 11,13 wherein cognitive (or secondary) users are allowed to opportunistically utilize the idle licensed bands, referred to as spectrum hole or white space, without interfering with the existing (or primary) users. If spectrum is utilized on time or frequency basis, the spectrum opportunities appear in the form of holes.…”