Computerized methods and apparatus for spectrum access

Abstract

A system and computerized method for controlling access to shared spectrum in which access is prioritized among different classes of devices so that top priority devices have immediate access to the shared spectrum and lower priority devices contend for access. In some embodiments, the system and computerized method comprises managing a set of priority classes of devices to use the shared spectrum and granting rights to one or more of the requesting devices to use a portion of the shared spectrum during a requested use period based on a decision making process.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method for controlling access to shared spectrum, the method
 comprising:   receiving, by a spectrum access system, a registration request from a device to use shared spectrum;   creating, by the spectrum access system, a registration record for the device based on the registration request;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, an application from the requesting device, the application comprising a request for permission to make future requests to the spectrum access system;   updating, by the spectrum access system, the registration record for the requesting device such that the requesting device can make requests to use a bandwidth in the shared spectrum;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, an access authorization request from the requesting device, the access authorization request comprising a request to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum;   managing, by the spectrum access system, a decision making process that utilizes at least an eligibility information in the access authorization request from the requesting device to decide whether to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum; and   granting, by the spectrum access system, rights to the requesting device to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum based on the decision making process.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 managing, by the spectrum access system, a set of priority classes of devices to use the shared spectrum, wherein each priority class from the set of priority classes has different access rights to the shared spectrum.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises:
 a first priority class that has a top priority to use the shared spectrum relative to at least one other priority class; and   a second priority class that has a priority below the first priority class.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises a third priority class that has a priority below the second priority class for using the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises a fourth priority class that has a priority below the third priority class for using the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the device comprises a network infrastructure node. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the requesting device is associated with a plurality of different priority classes based on at least one of geography, frequency, or time for using bandwidths in the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the requesting device can make requests to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum during a use period, wherein, during the use period:
 the spectrum access system revokes a spectrum assignment;   the requesting device relinquishes the spectrum assignment; or   the spectrum assignment expires.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the requesting device contends with other devices for use of the shared spectrum based on a bidding process, such that devices valuing access to the shared spectrum more, as indicated by their bid, are more likely to be granted access to the shared spectrum than devices valuing access less. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving the application from the requesting device during an application period during which devices associated with a priority class can apply with the spectrum access system for permission to contend with other devices from the same priority class for access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the spectrum access system moderates a dynamic auction process to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a federal entity conducts a dynamic auction process to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the spectrum access system grants rights to the requesting device to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum at least based on past spectrum usage of the requesting device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the spectrum access system collects real-time sensing information from the requesting device to monitor usage of the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         22 . A method for controlling access to shared spectrum, the method comprising:
 managing, by the spectrum access system, a set of priority classes associated with devices that may use the shared spectrum, the set of priority classes including at least a first priority class;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, a registration request from a device associated with the first priority class to use shared spectrum managed by the spectrum access system;   creating, by the spectrum access system, a registration record for the device associated with the first priority class based on the registration request, the registration record comprising data indicative of a class for the device, wherein the class is used to group the device with other devices that comprise similar properties;   storing, by the spectrum access system, the registration record in a database to register the device with the spectrum access system, wherein the registered device is permitted to contend with other devices associated with the first priority class for use of the shared spectrum such that:
 the device can make an application to the spectrum access system, the application comprising a request for permission to make future requests to the spectrum access system; and 
 the device can make an access authorization request to the spectrum access system to use a bandwidth in the shared spectrum; and 
   granting, by the spectrum access system, rights to the device to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum.   
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling access to shared spectrum, the method comprising:
 managing, by the spectrum access system, a set of priority classes associated with devices that may use the shared spectrum, the set of priority classes including at least a first priority class;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, an application from a device associated with the first priority class, wherein the application comprises a request for permission to make future requests to the spectrum access system, the application further comprising a set of priority application levels, wherein each priority application level comprises at least one of a frequency range or a geographic area;   retrieving, by the spectrum access system, a registration record for the device in a database accessible to the spectrum access system indicative of the device being registered with the spectrum access system to use the shared spectrum;   approving, by the spectrum access system, one or more of the priority application levels from the set of priority application levels for the device based on the registration record;   transmitting, by the spectrum access system, a response to the device granting the device permission to request priority use of the approved one or more priority application levels, wherein the approval is valid during an application validity period; and   updating, by the spectrum access system, the registration record for the device to include the approved one or more priority application levels such that the device may request use of a bandwidth in the shared spectrum during the application validity period for the shared spectrum.   
     
     
         24 . A method for controlling access to shared spectrum, the method comprising:
 managing, by the spectrum access system, a set of priority classes associated with devices that may use the shared spectrum;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, an access authorization request from a requesting device, wherein the access authorization request comprises:
 a request to use a bandwidth in the shared spectrum managed by the spectrum access system; and 
 a use period during which the device intends to use the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum; and 
   managing, by the spectrum access system, a decision making process for the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum between one or more devices associated with the set of priority classes, the decision making process utilizing at least an eligibility information in the access authorization request from the requesting device; and   granting, by the spectrum access system, rights to the requesting device to use the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum during the use period based on the decision making process.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the requesting device is associated with a lower priority class and comprises a network infrastructure node, and wherein the requested spectrum comprises spectrum for the network infrastructure node required to service one or more user equipment. 
     
     
         26 . A method for controlling access to shared spectrum, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a spectrum access system, an access authorization request from a requesting device to use a bandwidth in a shared spectrum managed by the spectrum access system during a use period;   receiving, by the spectrum access system, spectrum sensing measurements from at least one infrastructure node or user equipment;   combining, by the spectrum access system, the received spectrum sensing measurements with real time accounting streaming data from the at least one infrastructure node or user equipment to monitor spectrum usage by one or more devices;   managing, by the spectrum access system, a decision making process for the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum between the one or more devices based on the combination of the received spectrum sensing measurements and the real time accounting streaming data; and   granting, by the spectrum access system, rights to the requesting device to use the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum during the use period based on the decision making process.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the spectrum sensing measurements comprise at least one of Channel State Information (CSI), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), or band sweeping. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the spectrum access system monitors transmission in a spectral bandwidth over at least one of a geographic location, frequency, or time, based on the spectrum sensing measurements. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the real time accounting streaming data comprises information associated with at least one of radio resource management that has taken place at the infrastructure nodes, mobile broadband sessions that have occurred, or SMS or circuit switched activity that has occurred. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the spectrum access system determines how much of the shared spectrum allocated to the one or more devices is being used at any given time based on the real time accounting streaming data. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein, based on the combination of the received spectrum sensing measurement and the real time accounting streaming data, the spectrum access system further performs at least one of:
 calculating efficiency of spectrum usage of the shared spectrum;   tuning access authorization period durations;   determining reserve bid amounts; or   monitoring spectrum usage of the one or more devices for anticompetitive behavior.   
     
     
         32 . A system for controlling access to shared spectrum, the system comprising:
 at least one memory configured to store instructions for execution by a processor; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive a registration request from a requesting device to use shared spectrum; 
 create a registration record for the requesting device based on the registration request; 
 receive an application from the requesting device, the application comprising a request for permission to make future requests to the spectrum access system; 
 update the registration record for the requesting device such that the requesting device can make requests to use a bandwidth in the shared spectrum; 
 receive an access authorization request from the requesting device, the access authorization request comprising a request to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum; 
 manage a decision making process that utilizes at least an eligibility information in the access authorization request from the requesting device to decide whether to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum; and 
 grant rights to the requesting device to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum based on the decision making process. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to manage a set of priority classes of devices to use the shared spectrum, wherein each priority class from the set of priority classes has different access rights to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises:
 a first priority class that has a top priority to use the shared spectrum relative to at least one other priority class; and   a second priority class that has a priority below the first priority class.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises a third priority class that has a priority below the second priority class for using the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the set of priority classes further comprises a fourth priority class that has a priority below the third priority class for using the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the requesting device is associated with a plurality of different priority classes based on at least one of geography, frequency, or time for using bandwidths in the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the requesting device comprises a network infrastructure node. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the requesting device can make requests to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum during a use period, wherein, during the use period, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 revoke a spectrum assignment;   relinquish the spectrum assignment; or   allow the spectrum assignment to expire.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the requesting device contends with other devices for use of the shared spectrum based on a bidding process, such that devices valuing access to the shared spectrum more, as indicated by their bid, are more likely to be granted access to the shared spectrum than devices valuing access less. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to receive the application from the requesting device during an application period during which devices associated with a priority class can apply with the spectrum access system for permission to contend with other devices from the same priority class for access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to moderate a dynamic auction process to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein a federal entity conducts a dynamic auction process to grant the requesting device access to the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 32 , the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to grant rights to the requesting device to use the bandwidth in the shared spectrum at least based on past spectrum usage of the requesting device. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 32 , the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to collect real-time sensing information from the requesting device to monitor usage of the shared spectrum. 
     
     
         46 . A system for controlling access to shared spectrum, the system comprising:
 at least one memory configured to store instructions for execution by a processor; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive an access authorization request from a requesting device to use a bandwidth in a shared spectrum managed by the spectrum access system during a use period; 
 receive spectrum sensing measurements from at least one infrastructure node or user equipment; 
 combine the received spectrum sensing measurements with real time accounting streaming data from the at least one infrastructure node or user equipment to monitor spectrum usage by one or more devices; 
 manage a decision making process for the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum between the one or more devices based on the combination of the received spectrum sensing measurements and the real time accounting streaming data; and 
 grant rights to the requesting device to use the requested bandwidth in the shared spectrum during the use period based on the decision making process. 
   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the spectrum sensing measurements comprise at least one of Channel State Information (CSI), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), or band sweeping. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to monitor transmission in a spectral bandwidth over at least one of a geographic location, frequency, or time, based on the spectrum sensing measurements. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the real time accounting streaming data comprises information associated with at least one of radio resource management that has taken place at the infrastructure nodes, mobile broadband sessions that have occurred, or SMS or circuit switched activity that has occurred. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to determine how much of the shared spectrum allocated to the one or more devices is being used at any given time based on the real time accounting streaming data. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein, based on the combination of the received spectrum sensing measurement and the real time accounting streaming data, the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to perform at least one of:
 calculating efficiency of spectrum usage of the shared spectrum;   tuning access authorization period durations;   determining reserve bid amounts; or   monitoring spectrum usage of the one or more devices for anticompetitive behavior.