Field Trial of Licensed Shared Access with Enhanced Spectrum Controller Power Control Algorithms and LTE Enablers

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a field trial of the Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using TD-LTE network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project spectrum band 40 (2.3–2.4 GHz) in Finland. In the field trial, the LTE network shared the spectrum with a program making and special events Incumbent. New LSA concept elements, LSA Repository for Incumbent protection information and LSA Controller for controlling the mobile broadband network in the same spectrum band were implemented in the trial environment. The trial utilized commercially available network elements like multimode multiband terminals, LTE base stations, core network and network management system. Incumbent spectrum usage data was collected to the LSA repository, which further converts it to spectrum availability information for the LSA controller. The trial goes beyond previous LSA demonstrations by presenting LSA controller power control concept algorithm that formulate the optimization objective as a function of base station cell transmit powers. An advantage of this procedure is that considering aggregated interference from the LTE network to Incumbent and adjusting the transmit power levels do not result in abrupt changes in the received signal quality and results better overall throughput. The developed LSA controller was implemented as self-organizing network solution integrated into network management system. Numerical results are presented to quantify the duration of the LSA procedure flow. The performance results on the LSA system workflow indicated that in the program, making special event use case the LSA band can be managed timely manner and the Incumbents’ rights can be protected.