Live field trial of Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using LTE network in 2.3 GHz band

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a live field trial of the new Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using a TD-LTE network in the 2.3 GHz spectrum band in Finland. In the trial a live LTE network shares the spectrum from incumbent programme making and special events (PMSE) service including cordless cameras without causing harmful interference. The trial implements the new LSA concept and the required new building blocks including LSA Repository for spectrum availability information and LSA Controller for commanding the mobile communication network in the band. The trial uses a real TD-LTE base station, real network management system, and real core network. Incumbent spectrum usage data is collected to the LSA Repository and used by the LSA Controller to retrieve available spectrum bands. LSA Controller uses the network management system to configure the base station according to the spectrum availability information. Incumbent spectrum users' rights are protected by evacuating the LSA band and handing users over from the LTE network to other networks when requested by the incumbent spectrum user. Numerical results are presented to quantify the duration of the LSA band evacuation process. The demonstration shows that the new LSA concept can be implemented with existing network elements and a minimum amount of new components. The first performance results on the LSA band evacuation times indicate that the LSA band can be evacuated and released in good time and the incumbents' rights can be protected.