Systems and methods for dynamic whitespace spectrum management

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamic white space management are described. First, local handling of channel queries, in which a channel query by a white space device (WSD) is handled by a local dynamic spectrum management (DSM) server, if the DSM server has all the information necessary for providing a response to the channel query. Second, a search extension, in which a WSDB passes part of a search for available channels to a local DSM server. Third, assisting of an available channel calculation, in which a DSM server provides spectrum sensing information to WSDBs to improve the available channel calculation within the WSDBs. And fourth, dynamic bandwidth management to meet the coexistence requirements. In addition, the content of the messages and procedures that enable the above value-adding functions and interactions with the WSDB systems are described.

1 . A method for dynamic spectrum management comprising:
 receiving whitespace spectrum data from a whitespace data repository server, the whitespace spectrum data including available frequency range data;   storing supplemental spectrum usage data, wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data comprises information regarding spectrum usage within the whitespace spectrum distinct from the whitespace spectrum usage data from the whitespace data repository server, and wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data is based on spectrum measurements;   receiving a channel query message from a whitespace device;   identifying a list of one or more channels for use by the whitespace device, the list determined based on the whitespace spectrum data and the supplemental spectrum usage data; and,   transmitting a channel availability reply message to the whitespace device in response to the channel query message including the list.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the preferred frequency range data comprises a channel list. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spectrum measurement data is obtained from a whitespace device access point, WSD-AP. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data includes information relating to overlapping coverage of whitespace access points. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the channel query message includes information identifying a range of spectrum of interest. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the range of spectrum of interest comprises a list of channels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a channel acknowledgement message from the whitespace device, the channel acknowledgement message including an indication of a channel selected for use by the whitespace device based on the channel availability reply message. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the channel acknowledgement message includes channel-specific control messaging requirements. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the channel-specific control messaging requirements include indication of the use of a heartbeat mechanism to indicate continued usage. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data includes data received from whitespace devices other than the whitespace device from which the channel query message was received. 
     
     
         11 . A dynamic spectrum management, DSM, apparatus comprising:
 a whitespace database management module configured to store whitespace spectrum data from a whitespace data repository server, the whitespace spectrum data including available frequency range data;   a supplemental data storage module configured to store supplemental spectrum usage data, wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data comprises information regarding spectrum usage within the whitespace spectrum distinct the whitespace spectrum usage data from the whitespace data repository server and wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data is based on spectrum measurements;   a channel list generation module configured to identify a list of one or more channels for use by the whitespace device, the list determined based on the whitespace spectrum data and the supplemental spectrum usage data; and   a communication module adapted to receive a channel query message from a whitespace device and transmit a channel availability reply message in response to the channel query message, the channel availability reply message including the list.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the DSM apparatus further comprises a whitespace device access point, WSD-AP, including transceivers configured to communicate with whitespace device, WSD, clients. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the channel query message includes a range of spectrum of interest. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data includes data received from whitespace devices other than the whitespace device from which the channel query message was received. 
     
     
         15 . A method for dynamic spectrum management comprising:
 receiving whitespace spectrum data from a whitespace data repository server, the whitespace spectrum data including available frequency range data;   receiving a channel query message from a whitespace device, the channel query message identifying a range of spectrum of interest for use by the whitespace device; and   transmitting a channel availability reply message to the whitespace device in response to the channel query message, the channel availability reply message identifying a portion of frequency, the portion of frequency determined based on the whitespace spectrum data.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the channel availability reply message to the whitespace device includes channel-specific control messaging requirements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the channel-specific control messaging requirements include indication of the use of a heartbeat mechanism to indicate continued usage. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 storing supplemental spectrum usage data, wherein the supplemental spectrum usage data comprises information regarding spectrum usage within the whitespace spectrum in addition to the whitespace spectrum usage data from the whitespace data repository server. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 receiving from the whitespace device a channel acknowledgement message indicating a channel selected by the whitespace device for use. 
 
     
     
         20 . A dynamic spectrum management, DSM, apparatus comprising:
 a transceiver: and   a processor configured to:
 receive whitespace spectrum data from a whitespace data repository server, the whitespace spectrum data including available frequency range data; 
 receive a channel query message from a whitespace device, the channel query message identifying a range of spectrum of interest for use by the whitespace device; 
 identify a portion of frequency, the portion of frequency determined based on the whitespace spectrum data; and 
 transmit a channel availability reply message in response to the channel query message, the channel availability reply message identifying the portion of frequency.