Methods and systems for dynamic spectrum arbitrage

摘要

Methods and system are provided for managing and monitoring allocation of RF spectrum resources based on time, space and frequency. A network may be enabled to allocate excess spectrum resources for use by other network providers on a real-time basis. Allocated resources may be transferred from one provider with excess resources to another in need of additional resources based on contractual terms or on a real-time purchase negotiations and settlements. A network may be enabled to monitor the use of allocated resources on real-time basis and off-load or allow additional users depending on the spectrum resources availability. Public safety networks may be enabled to make spectrum resources available to general public by allocating spectrum resources and monitoring the use of those resources. During an emergency, when traffic increases on a public safety network, the public safety networks may off-load bandwidth traffic to make available necessary resources for public safety users.

主权项

1. A dynamic spectrum arbitrage method, comprising:
establishing a communication link between a communications server and a first dynamic spectrum controller (DSC) in a first communication network; determining in the communications server an amount of radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources available for allocation within the first communication network based on information received via the communication link; allocating a portion of available RF spectrum resources of the first communication network for access and use by a second communication network; sending a first communication message to the second communication network, the first communication message including information suitable for informing the second communication network that use of allocated RF spectrum resources may begin, wherein a mobile device in the second communication network is handed off to an eNodeB of the first communication network in order to use the allocated RF spectrum resources; recording a transaction in a transaction database identifying an amount of RF spectrum resources allocated for use by the second communication network; receiving in the communications server a quality of service (QoS) degrade request from the first DSC in response to the eNodeB attempting to locally restrict or degrade the QoS for the mobile device connected to the eNodeB based on detecting network congestion in the eNodeB of the first communication network, wherein the QoS degrade request includes information collected in the eNodeB of the first communication network and identifies the mobile device using the allocated RF spectrum resources of the first communication network and anchored to a packet gateway in the second communication network; and sending the QoS degrade request received from the first DSC in the first communication network to a second DSC in the second communication network that communicates the QoS degrade request to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) component in the second communication network, wherein the PCRF determines a course of action needed to recover additional RF spectrum resources.