Abstract

Traditionally, interference protection is guaranteed through a policy of spectrum licensing, whereby wireless systems get exclusive access to spectrum. This is an effective way to prevent interference, but it leads to highly inefficient use of spectrum. Cognitive radio along with software radio, spectrum sensors, mesh networks, and other emerging technologies can facilitate new forms of spectrum sharing that greatly improve spectral efficiency and alleviate scarcity, if policies are in place that support these forms of sharing. On the other hand, new technology that is inconsistent with spectrum policy will have little impact. This paper discusses policies that can enable or facilitate use of many spectrum-sharing arrangements, where the arrangements are categorized as being based on coexistence or cooperation and as sharing among equals or primary-secondary sharing. A shared spectrum band may be managed directly by the regulator, or this responsibility may be delegated in large part to a license-holder. The type of sharing arrangement and the entity that manages it have a great impact on which technical approaches are viable and effective. The most efficient and cost-effective form of spectrum sharing will depend on the type of systems involved, where systems under current consideration are as diverse as television broadcasters, cellular carriers, public safety systems, point-to-point links, and personal and local-area networks. In addition, while cognitive radio offers policy-makers the opportunity to improve spectral efficiency, cognitive radio also provides new challenges for policy enforcement. A responsible regulator will not allow a device into the marketplace that might harm other systems. Thus, designers must seek innovative ways to assure regulators that new devices will comply with policy requirements and will not cause harmful interference.

Highlights

  • When airplanes were new, pilots flew as they pleased, without risk of midair collision

  • Emerging technology, including cognitive radio [2], mesh networks, location technologies, spectrum sensors, and even micropayment schemes will make this possible, if and only if we simultaneously develop spectrum policies that make effective use of the new technology

  • Some of the most heated debates over spectrum policy in the last few years have been over the creation of new spectrum “commons.” In any commons model, spectrum is shared, and no one is given clear priority

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Summary

Introduction

Pilots flew as they pleased, without risk of midair collision. Some cognitive radio systems considered by researchers are based on the assumption that all devices fully cooperate to reduce interference, even when these devices are owned and operated by countless independent users While this is not impossible with corresponding policy reform, designers who do not realize that they are implicitly proposing a dramatic change in policy may be disappointed in the limited impact of their technical innovations. Successful innovation requires consideration of the entire system, where a system includes wireless technology, spectrum policy, and the human beings who interact with both This includes feasible and cost-effective technical mechanisms through which devices can minimize the interference they cause (and perhaps maximize the interference they tolerate).

Defining Features of Spectrum-Sharing Paradigms
Models for Spectrum Sharing
Sharing Among Equal Primary Devices
Sharing Between Primary and Secondary
Sharing Among Equal Secondaries Devices
Sharing Among Equal Regional Infrastructures
Regulator or License-Holder in Control
Policy Enforcement
Conclusion
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