Abstract
This paper proposes the design of enabling technologies for practical wireless communication systems operating in the TV white space (TVWS). The main objective of this paper is to cover a macro perspective on the system design blocks including: (a) targeted use case applications and governing regulations, (b) channelization, physical (PHY) layer and medium access control (MAC) layer designs, and (c) achievable throughput and range. It is the intention of this paper to serve as a general guideline for designing wireless communication systems operating in TVWS. The core system design addresses both PHY and MAC layer issues with realistic system considerations. In the PHY layer, a channelization design that fits into the area-specific TV channels and a transceiver that enables data exchange in the TV bands are designed. In the MAC layer, a cognitive engine that manages access to vacant TV channels and MAC functionalities that facilitate effective medium access are also proposed. As a result, the system is capable of supporting up to a typical throughput of 80 Mbps, and a maximum number of 40 users, assuming all users performing the most bandwidth-hungry application in the use case scenario. The corresponding operating range is found reach up to 400 m.
Highlights
The recent regulatory development [1,2,3] has opened up new opportunities for unlicensed wireless communication systems to utilize unoccupied TV channels (a.k.a TV White Space or TV white space (TVWS)) in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) bands
The enabling technology shall consist of a system design capable of delivering the characteristics and performance as required by the targeted application use cases, and at the same time, capable of complying to the rules set by the regulations
Up-to-date, the several regulators actively participating in TVWS regulations are the United States (US) Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the United Kingdom (UK) Office of Communications (OFCOM), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), and the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
Summary
The recent regulatory development [1,2,3] has opened up new opportunities for unlicensed wireless communication systems to utilize unoccupied TV channels (a.k.a TV White Space or TVWS) in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) bands. In order to harvest and utilize the new spectrum resources, the system has to possess the appropriate enabling functionalities to operate in the vacant TV channels within the boundaries set by local primary-user protection regulations For this purpose, in this paper, we have proposed a full system design taking into consideration all three elements: the potential application use cases, the governing regulations, and the corresponding cross-layer system design. The contribution of this paper is threefold: (a) it verified that wireless technology operating in the TVWS does offer encouraging opportunities, (b) providing an overall crosslayer MAC and PHY cognitive system design that considers practical applications and regulations, and (c) providing realistic performance evaluation (e.g., throughput, coverage, etc.) in response to related requirements.
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