A laboratory testbed for licensed shared access

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept and its end-to-end implementation as a laboratory testbed. The demo shows the role of key elements of the LSA framework, the feasibility of the LSA process and how a broadband operator can use the LSA mechanism to access additional bandwidth in order to meet increasing demand for wireless broadband while ensuring Incumbent's spectrum rights. The Licensee is allowed to use the spectrum within the agreed constraints of frequency, geographical limits, time frame and maximum emitted power. In case of need of the spectrum by the Incumbent, LSA System ensures evacuation of the license on-demand. On receiving an evacuation request from the incumbent via the LSA System, the Licensee reconfigures its network, evacuating the LSA frequencies and hands over its users to alternative networks. To this end, a laboratory testbed of the LSA architecture has been implemented. The demonstrator is based on a prototype TDD-FDD LTE mobile communication network conforming to 3GPP specifications. The EPC and eNodeBs are implemented using AmarisoftTM LTE simulator whereas the radio front-end of the eNodeB is based on USRP.