Spectrum database as a service (SDaaS) for broadband innovation and efficient spectrum utilization

Abstract

Broadband innovations for future wireless networks involves rapid sharing of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources by means of dynamic spectrum access techniques (DSA) to satisfy immediate portfolio of heterogeneous demands of wireless IP services. In this paper a cloud framework for spectrum database as a service (SDaaS) for the application layer is introduced. The SDaaS framework can provide a wide range of vital capabilities needed for unlocking the DSA-based networks: (i) SDaaS can be used as the best short-term solution for minimising any harmful interference that might be introduced to the co-channels and adjacent-channels of the incumbent users subject to a dynamic spectrum sharing policy. Examples of such network architectures are those based on the TV white spaces (TVWS) technologies. (ii) SDaaS can be used as a toolbox by regulators in the development of efficient dynamic spectrum regulations at a national level. (iii) Such regulations can be enforced and monitored through an SDaaS environment suggested in this paper. Moreover, multi-tenancy and schema-sharing techniques are utilised at the inter-regional level to allow the cross-border harmonisation of RF spectrum regulation to negate the problem of IP communication islands.