Fair and regulated spectrum allocation in licensed shared access networks

Abstract

We propose a novel Licensed Shared Access (LSA) spectrum allocation framework in this paper. The spectrum is made available to the licensee mobile network operators (MNOs) at specific time instants, in a specific service area, and for a specific time period. We propose a spectrum allocation algorithm which aims at providing resources to the MNOs in such a way that they can utilize them to serve their users and the resource allocation is fair at the same time. We also introduce a penalty mechanism whose output is a reduced spectrum allocation for the MNOs which violate the LSA spectrum use regulations. Our proposed algorithms are evaluated numerically and our results show that we can both guarantee fairness in spectrum allocation and penalize the MNOs that misbehave in regards to the LSA spectrum usage limitations imposed by the incumbent.