Cognitive channel assignment in wireless networks

Abstract

An apparatus and method for assigning subchannel(s) for communication between frequency agile mobile station(s) and a frequency agile base station. A received power level may be identified for each subcarrier in a set of subcarriers available for data transmission. A minimum power level needed to establish communications may be allocated. A detection threshold set to avoid interference with other devices currently transmitting on the set of subcarriers may be determined using the minimum uplink power level. A subset of subcarriers not already assigned may be selected where each subcarrier in the subset of subcarriers has a received power level that is less than the detection threshold. A subchannel that satisfies a bandwidth requirement may be formed where the subchannel consists of selected subcarriers in the set of subcarriers available for data transmission between the frequency agile mobile station(s) and the frequency agile base station.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frequency agile base station comprising:
 at least one frequency agile receiver configured to receive communications from at least one frequency agile mobile station on at least one subcarrier in a set of subcarriers;   at least one frequency agile transmitter configured to transmit communications to at least one frequency agile mobile station on at least one subcarrier in the set of subcarriers;   a power level detector configured to identify a received power level for at least one subcarrier in the set of subcarriers;   an uplink detection threshold determination module configured to determine an uplink detection threshold set to avoid interference with other devices currently transmitting on at least one subcarrier in the set of subcarriers;   an uplink subcarrier selection module configured to select an uplink subset of subcarriers not already assigned, each subcarrier in the uplink subset of subcarriers having a received power level that is less than the uplink detection threshold;   an uplink subchannel forming module configured to form an uplink subchannel that satisfies an uplink bandwidth requirement, the uplink subchannel consisting of selected subcarriers in the set of subcarriers available for uplink data transmission from the frequency agile mobile station to the frequency agile base station;   a downlink detection threshold determination module configured to determine a downlink detection threshold set to avoid interference with other devices currently transmitting on at least one subcarrier in the set of subcarriers;   a downlink subcarrier selection module configured to select a downlink subset of subcarriers not already assigned, each subcarrier in the downlink subset of subcarriers having a received power level that is less than the downlink detection threshold; and   a downlink subchannel fanning module configured to form a downlink subchannel that satisfies a downlink bandwidth requirement, the downlink subchannel consisting of selected subcarriers in the set of subcarriers available for downlink data transmission between the frequency agile base station and at least one of the at least one agile mobile station.