WO2013113359A1

WO2013113359A1 - Mechanism for controlling a communication by using white space database

Info

Publication number: WO2013113359A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/051447
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Menzel
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
Priority date: 2012-01-30
Filing date: 2012-01-30
Publication date: 2013-08-08
Also published as: EP2810467A1

Abstract

There is provided a communication control mechanism using a database system in which information about available communication resources are stored. After a secondary user is registered at the database, suitable communication resources are selected by the database and a resource usage command is sent by the database to the secondary user, preferably in regular intervals, to indicate the permitted communication resources. The permission can be immediately ended by sending a corresponding release command to the secondary user.

Description

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING A COMM UNICATION BY USING WHITE

SPACE DATABASE

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mechanism for controlling a communication by using a database system in which information about available spectrum or communication resources are stored, such as a white space database system. Specifically, the present invention is related to an apparatus, a method and a computer program product which provide a mechanism by means of which control of communications and operations of secondary users is improved by using a database system comprising information about available spectrum or communication resources, such as a white space database system.

The following meanings for the abbreviations used in this specification apply:

BS : base station

BTS : base transceiver station

eNB : enhanced node B

O&M : operation and maintenance

TV: television

UE: user equipment

WS : white space

In the last years, an increasing extension of communication networks, e.g. of wire based communication networks, such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), DSL, or wireless communication networks, such as the cdma2000 (code division multiple access) system, cellular 3rd

generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) communication networks like the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), enhanced communication networks based e.g. on LTE or LTE-A, cellular 2nd generation (2G) communication networks like the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), the General Packet Radio System (GPRS), the Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), or other wireless communication system, such as the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), took place all over the world. Various organizations, such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks (TISPAN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000), 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the WiMAX Forum and the like are working on standards for telecommunication network and access environments.

Due to the growing demand of bandwidth and access to e.g. wireless communication systems, while at the same time the available communication spectrum for such wireless communication networks can not be increased endlessly, solutions are searched in order to meet the increasing demands.

One approach for increasing the available communication resources for wireless communication services is to use communication resources of communication spectra which are exclusively reserved for or allocated to specified incumbent service providers. One example of such a communication spectrum is that reserved for television services (TV bands). Another example is spectrum reserved for satellite services. The idea is that since not all parts of this spectrum are used at every location and/or every point of time the spectrum owner or incumbent allows to use these unused or free communication resources by secondary users, such as communication networks like IMT based networks using systems according to 3GPP, LTE or the like.

In order to make information available which parts or resources of the communication spectrum is provided by the incumbent for secondary user access, it is proposed to establish database systems where corresponding information can be stored and retrieved. Such a database system is also referred to as white space (WS) database. WS database means generally a database that stores information necessary for identifying the free communication resources, such as in which sub-band, in which geographical areas and/or at which points in time a certain incumbent service (such as TV service) does not use its exclusively allocated spectrum. Such a database system is also capable to determine from these data under which conditions (i.e. transmit power, channels) and at which locations/times a secondary user may access the spectrum parts which are unused by the incumbent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for controlling a communication by using a database system in which information about available communication resources are stored, such as a white space database system. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism by means of which a communication can be controlled in such a manner that a communication spectrum is efficiently used on the basis of database operations.

These objects are achieved by the measures defined in the attached claims. According to an example of an embodiment of the proposed solution, there is provided, for example, an apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one interface to at least one other network element, and a memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one processor comprises a spectrum resources selection portion configured to select from stored data indicating free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user, and a resource controlling portion configured to cause transmission of a resource usage command to a secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources.

Furthermore, according to an example of an embodiment of the proposed solution, there is provided, for example a method comprising selecting from stored data indicating free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user, and causing transmission of a resource usage command to a secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources.

According to further refinements, these examples may comprise one or more of the following features:

- spectrum resource data from the incumbent service provider may be received and processed for determining and storing the data indicating the free spectrum resources of the spectrum allocated to the incumbent service provider;

- a registration processing with at least one secondary user may be conducted, wherein the registration processing may comprise receiving and processing of interference related information about the secondary user comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting;

- the selecting of the set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user from the stored data may be conducted only for a secondary user being registered, wherein the selecting may comprise determining of suitable spectrum resources for the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of the interference related information about the secondary user;

- the resource usage command may be transmitted to the secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and a request from the incumbent service provider; - an acknowledgment may be received and processed in response to the resource usage command;

- it may be determined that an acknowledgment is not received, wherein then the selection of spectrum resources for the secondary user from which the acknowledgment is not received may be reset;

- send an immediate release command may be sent to the secondary user for instructing a stop of usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command;

- the resource usage command may further comprise at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission;

- the mechanism may be implemented in a white space database system, wherein the secondary user may be one of an operation and maintenance element, a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, or a group of communication network control elements of a wireless communication network, wherein the spectrum resources may be communication resources. According to an example of an embodiment of the proposed solution, there is provided, for example, an apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one interface to at least one other network element, and a memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one processor comprises a resource usage command processing portion configured to receive and process a resource usage command from a database system, the resource usage command indicating a set of permitted spectrum resources selected from free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider, and a spectrum resources using portion configured to determine spectrum resources from the set of permitted spectrum resources for a usage in a spectrum based function.

Furthermore, according to an example of an embodiment of the proposed solution, there is provided, for example a method comprising receiving and processing a resource usage command from a database system, the resource usage command indicating a set of permitted spectrum resources selected from free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider, and determining spectrum resources from the set of permitted spectrum resources for a usage in a spectrum based function.

- a registration processing may be conducted with the database system, wherein the registration processing may comprise revealing of interference related information comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting;

- the set of spectrum resources permitted to be used for a spectrum based function may be received after conducting the registration processing, wherein the spectrum resources indicated in the set of permitted spectrum resources may be related to the interference related information ;

- the resource usage command may be received on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and an arbitrary time;

- an acknowledgment may be sent in response to the resource usage command;

- an immediate release command may be received and processed for stopping usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command;

- the resource usage command further may comprise at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission;

- the usage of spectrum resources indicated in the set of permitted spectrum resources may be stopped in case the resource usage command comprises information about expiring time of permission and the time is expired ;

- the mechanism may be implemented in at least one of an operation and maintenance element and a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, wherein the database system may be a white space database system, wherein the spectrum based function may be a communication function and the spectrum resources may be communication resources.

In addition, according to examples of the proposed solution, there is provided, for example, a computer program product for a computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of the above defined methods, when said product is run on the computer. The computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored. Furthermore, the computer program product may be directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures. By virtue of the proposed solutions, it is possible to provide a mechanism by means of which provision of free (white space) spectrum or communication resources to secondary users or communications can be efficiently controlled by using a database system in which information about the available communication resources are stored. In addition, it is possible in improve the efficient usage of a communication spectrum on the basis of database operations. Specifically, by means of the proposed solutions, the usability of exclusively licensed but inefficiently or not-used spectrum of an incumbent spectrum user is improved. Moreover, since mechanisms for increasing controllability and security level of a provision of communication resources for white space operations can be increased, implementation of the proposed solutions in a database-O&M-interface can increase the willingness of a incumbent service provider to permit a secondary user the access to free resources of the communication spectrum of the incumbent. The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon referring to the description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of network elements and information flow according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a control procedure according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a processing executed in a network element serving as a part of a database system according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a processing executed in a network element serving as secondary user according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a block circuit diagram of a network element serving as a part of a database system including processing portions conducting functions according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows a block circuit diagram of a network element serving as a secondary user including processing portions conducting functions according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of network elements and information flow according to a comparative example.

Fig. 8 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a control procedure according to a comparative example.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, examples and embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. For illustrating the present invention, the examples and embodiments will be described in connection with a white space database system provided, for example, according to regulations of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and a cellular communication network based on a 3GPP system. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to an application using such types of databases and communication systems, but is also applicable in other types of database systems and systems, as long as the database system provides information about free spectrum resources available at the incumbent's spectrum, such as frequency ranges, bandwidths, free time periods etc., which is also referred to hereinafter as communication resources of incumbent service providers and the secondary user or system is capable to use such spectrum resources for an own function, and the like. It is to be noted that the term "secondary user" is used in the context of the present application as a synonym for a device or group of devices which uses in corresponding operations parts of the spectrum provided by the incumbent. For example, secondary users are represented by an communication network control element, such as a BTS, a group of BTS, an O&M entity of a communication network controlling one or more BTSs, or another device, such as a radar system control device or the like. It is to be noted that examples of embodiments of the invention are described to be applied in connection with communication systems, so that spectrum resources used by a secondary user are referred to as communication resources, due to the fact that a spectrum related function using the free resources is a communication function. However, other spectrum related functions may also use such spectrum resources for another purpose than communication such as a radar system or the like, so that the following examples are to be understood as being applicable to cases where the resources are generally spectrum resources rather than specific communication resources. A basic system architecture of a communication network of which parts may represent a secondary user according to examples of embodiments of the invention, may comprise a commonly known architecture of one or more communication systems comprising a wired or wireless access network subsystem and a core network. Such an architecture may comprise one or more access network control elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways or base transceiver stations, such as a base station (BS) or eNB, which control a coverage area also referred to as a cell and with which one or more communication elements or terminal devices such as a UE or another device having a similar function, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a UE or attached as a separate element to a UE, or the like, are capable to communicate via one or more channels for transmitting several types of data. Furthermore, core network elements such as O&M elements, gateway network elements, policy and charging control network elements, mobility management entities and the like may be comprised. In the following, network elements belonging to an O&M system or being a base station, BTS, eNB and the like are also referred to as communication network control element which is one example of a secondary user. It is to be noted that the general functions and interconnections of the described elements, such as communication network control elements and databases, depend on the actual network type and configuration, but are known to those skilled in the art and described in corresponding specifications. Hence, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. However, it is to be noted that several additional network elements and signaling links may be employed for a communication to or from a communication network control element like a BS or BTS or a database system like a WS database, besides those described in detail herein below. Furthermore, the described network elements and database system elements, such as communication network control elements like BSs or eNBs and WS database, and the like, as well as corresponding functions as described herein may be implemented by software, e.g. by a computer program product for a computer, and/or by hardware. In any case, for executing their respective functions, correspondingly used devices, nodes or network elements may comprise several means and components (not shown) which are required for control, processing and communication/signaling functionality. Such means may comprise, for example, one or more processor units including one or more processing portions for executing instructions, programs and for processing data, memory means for storing instructions, programs and data, for serving as a work area of the processor or processing portion and the like (e.g. ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and the like), input means for inputting data and instructions by software (e.g. floppy disc, CD-ROM, EEPROM, and the like), user interface means for providing monitor and manipulation possibilities to a user (e.g. a screen, a keyboard and the like), interface means for establishing links and/or connections under the control of the processor unit or portion (e.g. wired and wireless interface means, an antenna, etc.) and the like. It is to be noted that in the present specification processing portions should not be only considered to represent physical portions of one or more processors, but may also be considered as a logical division of the referred processing tasks performed by one or more processors.

With regard to Figs. 7 and 8 a comparative example is shown for explaining a basic concept for a mechanism for controlling a communication by using a database system in which information about available communication resources are stored, such as a white space database system.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of network elements and information flow according to the comparative example, and Fig. 8 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a control procedure according to the comparative example. Specifically, a database system, such as a WS database 110 is provided for storing information regarding available or free resources of a communication spectrum allocated to an incumbent. Reference sign 130 denotes a part of the incumbent system, such as a controller or server or the like, which communicates with the WS database 110 so as to provide communication resource data identifying those communication resources which are available for being accessed by a secondary user. For example the controller 130 sends information indicating longterm and shortterm spectrum availability requirements for its own services (e.g. frequency bands with information where (location) and when (time) they are required by the incumbent's service). On the basis of this information, the WS database 110 is able to determine free communication resources (e.g . free frequency bands with corresponding location and time settings).

On the other hand, at least one secondary user 120 is present, such as a O&M entity or BTS of a wireless communication system. According to the present comparative example, in case the secondary user 120 intends to start a communication function or the like, such as wireless communication with some UE or the like, as shown in Fig. 8, it sends a channel request in message M 100 to the WS database 110 so as to request the required communication resources. The WS database responds in message M l 10 with a channel response message in which information about available/free communication resources is provided and/or an access to corresponding communication resources is granted, for example.

In other words, according to the comparative example described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8, a concept for WS database operation is provided where the secondary user 120 queries the WS database 110 to get information which channel it is allowed to be used by a certain BTS or the like ("control on demand" vs. "control on order" concept).

However, according to the comparative example, in a case where due to unforeseen changes regarding the initially indicated longterm and shortterm spectrum availability requirements the original determination of free communication resources by the WS database 110 is not correct anymore, so that changes in the database entries are present (e.g. as a result of changed radio deployment by the incumbent), the operation of the secondary user, i.e. a communication function conducted on the formerly free and now again required communication resources is not impacted directly. A corresponding change (such as a release of the corresponding communication resources) will be enforced by the secondary user only after a new query originated by the secondary user (i .e. a new message M 100, for example). Thus, it is not guaranteed that the incumbent is getting access to the communication resources of his (exclusively allocated) spectrum without interference from the secondary user. Furthermore, it is to be noted that in an operation based on the comparative example a secondary user may have the opportunity to get information about the spectrum of the incumbent without being authorized. For example, in case the secondary user makes multiple database queries, he may get sufficient information so as to enable him to re-engineer the communication resources, such as a radio deployment, of the incumbent, which may be otherwise confidential information.

In order to provide an improved mechanism for controlling a communication by using a database system in which information about available communication resources are stored, such as a white space database system, according to examples of embodiments of the invention, there is provided a configuration as depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, for example.

With regard to Fig. 1, a diagram illustrating a general configuration of network elements according to examples of embodiments of the invention is shown . It is to be noted that the configuration shown in Fig. 1 depicts only those devices, elements and network parts which are useful for understanding principles underlying the examples of embodiments of the invention. As also known by those skilled in the art there may be several other network elements or devices involved in a connection between the shown elements, which are omitted here for the sake of simplicity. Moreover, it is to be noted that the general functions of the elements described in connection with Fig. 1 as well as of reference points/interfaces therebetween are known to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is also omitted here for the sake of simplicity.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a configuration of network elements and an information flow according to examples of embodiments of the invention, and Fig. 2 shows a signaling diagram illustrating a control procedure according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

A database system, such as a WS database 10 is provided for storing information regarding available or free resources of a communication spectrum allocated to an incumbent. Reference sign 30 denotes a part of the incumbent system, such as a controller or server or the like, which communicates with the WS database 10 so as to provide communication resource data usable for identifying those communication resources which are available for being accessed by a secondary user. For example the controller 30 sends information indicating longterm and shortterm spectrum availability requirements for its own services (e.g. frequency bands with information where (location) and when (time) they are required by the incumbent's service). On the basis of this information, the WS database 10 is able to determine free communication resources (e.g. free frequency bands with corresponding location and time settings) which are stored for further processes.

Reference sign 20 denotes one of possible plural secondary users, wherein the secondary user may be, for example, an O&M entity or BTS of a wireless communication system.

According to examples of embodiments of the invention, when the secondary user 20 intends to conduct a communication function where free communication resources of incumbent's communication spectrum shall be employed, such as a channel within a white space area, the secondary user 20 (e.g. each BTS using correspondingly allocated resources or each O&M entity controlling BTSs in a white space area) first carries out a registration procedure with the WS database 10, as shown in Fig. 2 at M 10. During this registration procedure, the secondary user 20 (i.e. the O&M/BTS) provides, besides identification information, such as IDs, security related information such as authentication keys, access keys etc., transmission path related information, such as type etc. of an interface to be used for communication between the secondary user and the WS database, also interference-related information, such as parameters relevant for interference determination, like location information, transmitter information such as antenna height/pattern/channel information, information regarding a minimum or maximum required number of carriers, etc.

After the registration procedure is successfully completed, in message M20, the WS database 10 sends a channel usage command message to the secondary user 20. For example, the channel usage command message may be sent in regular predetermined intervals (see e.g. message M30), or at arbitrary points of time (e.g. when a corresponding transmission is caused by an instruction from the incumbent system controlled 30, to be described later). According to examples of embodiments of the invention, as an option, the secondary user 20 sends an acknowledgment message ACK (messages M25 and M35) when receiving the channel usage command messages M20 and M30. With the channel usage command messages, the WS database 10 provides the secondary user 20 (O&M/BTS) with information per each BTS regarding the permitted channels which are assigned to a communication of the secondary user 20. Furthermore, according to examples of embodiments of the invention, information regarding a maximum transmit power, a time of usage, and an expiry time (i .e. how long is the channel assignment valid) can be provided. The latter mentioned expiry time may cause the secondary user 20, for example, to stop immediately the usage of the communication resources being permitted in the preceding channel usage command (e.g . release immediately the channels in question), for example when no further channel usage command is received before the end of the expiry time. That is, according to examples of embodiments of the invention, the WS database 10 is assumed to be a master node for an information delivery functionality to the secondary user 20. By means of examples of embodiments of the invention, since it is not possible for a secondary user to conduct multiple database queries, since the information are provided to the secondary user under the control of the database, confidentiality of deployment of the incumbent is increased, since the secondary user is not able to determine for example which channels in which geographical area are used by the incumbent.

Furthermore, according to examples of embodiments of the invention, it is possible to immediately end the permission to use all or part of the free resources by the secondary user. For example, an immediate release command can be sent from the WS database to the secondary user 20 (e.g. to the O&M system or directly to the BTSs) at an arbitrary time (see e.g. message M40 in Fig. 2) which is controlled for example by an instruction from the incumbent. This immediate release command has to be followed by the secondary user 20 e.g. by releasing the communication resources indicated (i .e. all or part of the resources). Thus, it is possible to quickly and reliably release spectrum parts used by the secondary user 20 if this is necessary. Hence, a concern of incumbent spectrum users regarding usage of unused resources by secondary users, i.e. that it takes too much time until the spectrum is released by the secondary user and is again available for the incumbent, for example in emergency cases (e.g. when a rescue organisation needs immediately its spectrum back after a major accident; when armed forces need their spectrum back for defense activities after a foreign/terrorist attack) is obsolete, and a very fast and efficient tool to free the communication spectrum band, that is under normal conditions shared/leased to a secondary user (e.g. an IMT-operator) is provided.

According to examples of embodiments of the invention, the release of the spectrum used by the secondary user can be accelerated since the release is directly triggered/instructed by the incumbent. According to examples of embodiments of the invention such an instruction (such as the immediate release command) is forwarded to the secondary users via the WS database 10. Alternatively, in case corresponding information are available at the incumbent controller side (e.g. address information of the secondary users), the secondary users may be instructed directly from the incumbent side. Thus, it is not necessary to wait, as in the comparative example described above, until the secondary user queries again the WS database before a change in the availability of communication resources impacts the real operation, and because the incumbent/the database has the possibility to address the O&M/all BTS directly by sending an immediate spectrum release command message or the like.

According to examples of embodiments of the invention, the channel usage commands (messages M20, M30 etc.) are sent at regular predetermined intervals. In other words, the update times of the channel usage command messages are determined by the WS database 10 and are consequentially more under control of the incumbent side. According to further examples of embodiments of the invention, the predetermined intervals are variable. That is, update intervals may be shortened, for example, according to instructions from the incumbent side e.g. in a step-wise manner. This may be applied, for example, in case a likeliness of a necessary spectrum usage by the incumbent increases (e.g. if a warning level of e.g. terrorist attacks is increased by an intelligence service).

Furthermore, in examples of embodiments of the invention where ACK messages (e.g. messages M25, M35) are send by the secondary user 20 in response to the channel usage command messages, when also using shortened update intervals in combination with the ACK message processing, a knowledge of the reliability of the interface between the WS database 10 and the secondary user 20 (e.g. a database-O&M-interface) can be achieved. This is useful to increase the reliability that an immediate spectrum release command message is really received and executed by the secondary user 20 (O&M/BTSs), in case it is issued.

According to further examples of embodiments of the invention, in case the function of sending ACK messages M25, M35 is present, and the WS database 10 does not receive an ACK in response to one channel usage command message, for example within a preset period of time, it is decided in the WS database to reset the allocation of communication resources to the secondary user, i.e. to make these resources available to other secondary users. This decision may be postponed until a predetermined number of attempts to receive an ACK is executed (e.g. by repeated transmission of a resource usage command message). Thus, waste of resources is avoided in case, for example, a secondary user has left a corresponding communication area or is switched off.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a processing executed in a database system such as WS database 10 of Figs. 1 and 2 according to examples of embodiments of the invention. In step S 100, the WS database conducts a processing for establishing the database. That is, communication with a controller element of the incumbent of the communication spectrum is conducted in which for example the longterm and shortterm spectrum availability requirements for the communication resources by the incumbent service provider on "his" spectrum are provided, and this information is processed so as to determine and store data indicating free communication resources of the communication spectrum which are accessible by secondary users (white space operation). It is to be noted that step S 100 may be conducted independently from the other operation at suitable point of times, or in relation to the following processing, e.g. triggered by a registration procedure start of a secondary user as described below. Furthermore, a processing for processing new information from the incumbent, e.g. information regarding a changed shortterm spectrum availability requirement for the communication resources by the incumbent service provider on "his" spectrum which is in accordance with the processing of step S 100 can be conducted as soon as corresponding information is received from the incumbent side, which leads to a changed database content to be considered in a selection of resources for the secondary user.

In step S 110, the WS database conducts a registration processing with at least one secondary user which is interested to get access to communication resources in the incumbent communication spectrum. In this registration procedure, the WS database obtains interference related information from the secondary user which comprises at least one of location information

(where is the secondary user located), transmitter and/or antenna properties (antenna height/pattern), channel setting information, carrier setting information (maximum and/or minimum number of carriers, i.e. amount of desired resources, etc. Based on this information, the WS database determines interference relevant parameters for selecting of suitable communication resources for the secondary user from the free communication resources determined in step S100, for example.

In step S 120, the WS database conducts a selection of a set of communication resources permitted to be used by the secondary user out of the free communication resources of the incumbent communication spectrum, wherein the processing results of step S 110, i.e. the interference relevant parameters are considered. It is to be noted that in case, for example, the secondary user is a O&M entity controlling, for example, one or more subunits, such as one or plural BTS, and corresponding information such as number and kind of subunits (BTS), sort of required resources of each BTS, etc., is available from the data received in the registration procedure, according to examples of embodiments of the invention, the WS database is configured to determine and select suitable resources of the free resources for each individual BTS.

In step S 130, a resource usage command is transmitted by means of suitable communication to the secondary user wherein the set of permitted communication resources is indicated. The resource usage command may comprise for example information regarding the permitted communication resources, such as channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of the communication resources, and information about expiring time of permission . Furthermore, if a separation of the resources in one or more subsets for individual BTS or the like is conducted, then the respective subsets are also indicated in the resource usage command.

In step S140, it is determined whether or not the permission to use the communication resources by the secondary user is to be ended. This may be the case, for example, in case the incumbent has issued an instruction or the like to send an immediate release command .

If the decision is negative, the processing returns to step S 120 where again resources for the set of permitted communication resources are selected from the data stored in the WS database (for example, the preceding set of communication resources is maintained or a modified set is generated, depending on entries and/or changes in the database regarding the longterm/shortterm spectrum availability requirements of the incumbent's system), and a (new) resource usage command is issued in step S 130, for example after a predetermined interval (before expiry of a possible expiring time).

On the other hand, in case the permission is to be ended, step S150 is executed where, for example, an immediate release command is issued to the secondary user in question, so as to stop usage of all or part of the communication resources indicated in the preceding resource usage command. Alternatively, in case an expiring time is indicated in the preceding resource usage command, it may be sufficient to inhibit sending of a further resource usage command.

It is to be noted that it may also be checked whether the permitted resources are to be modified, e.g. in case at least some of the permitted resources have to be changed (since the spectrum availability requirements indicate that formerly free resources are now again used by the incumbent service, or a stepwise change is instructed by the incumbent) or the incumbent system has sent new information regarding an own usage of resources (changed shortterm requirements, for example). In this case, a correspondingly new resource usage command is generated and transmitted, which may be done already before the end of a usual interval (i.e. arbitrarily).

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a processing executed in a secondary user such as a O&M entity or BTS 20 of Figs. 1 and 2 according to examples of embodiments of the invention.

In step S200, a registration processing with the WS database system is conducted, wherein interference related information comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting are revealed. Step S200 is the counterpart step of step SI 10 of Fig. 3, for example.

In step S210, the secondary user 20 receives and processes a resource usage command from the WS database system, wherein the resource usage command indicates a set of permitted communication resources selected from free communication resources of the communication spectrum allocated to the incumbent service provider 30. According to examples of embodiments of the invention, the receipt of the channel usage command may be acknowledged towards the WS database. In step S220, the secondary user determines those communication resources from the set of permitted communication resources which are used in an own communication function. For example, the communication resources indicated in the set of permitted communication resources are used in a communication conducted by the secondary user according to the settings indicated in the channel usage command, for example if the secondary user is a BTS. In case the secondary user is an O&M entity, information regarding the determined communication resources are forwarded to the individual BTS controlled by the O&M entity, for example according to indications which resources are to be used for which BTS, or the like. It is to be noted that the secondary user may also decide not to use some or all of the permitted resources, e.g. in case the requirements have been changed (i.e. no or less additional resources are required). This may be indicated by different means to the WS database, for example, by sending an acknowledgement message for the receipt of the channel usage command together with an indication regarding which resources are not needed, or e.g. in case no resources at all are required, by not sending an acknowledgment message to the database for the receipt of the channel usage command. The WS database may determine from the indication in the acknowledgement message which resources are not needed, i.e. that they can be used by other secondary users, or determine the missing of an acknowledgement message and reset the selection/allocation of the communication resources to this secondary user.

In step S230, it is checked whether the permission for using the permitted communication resources is ended. For example, it is determined that the permission is ended when an immediate release command is received (either from the incumbent or from the WS database), or when no further channel usage command is received after a predetermined time

(transmission interval or end of expiring time).

In case the determination in step S230 is negative, the processing returns to step S210 for receiving and processing a next channel usage command.

On the other hand, in case the determination in step S230 is positive and the permission has ended, step S240 is executed where the usage of all or a part of the communication resources indicated in the preceding channel usage command as permitted communication resources is immediately stopped.

In Fig. 5, a block circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a database system element, such as of WS database, is shown, which is configured to implement the processing for controlling a communication as described in connection with the examples of embodiments of the invention. It is to be noted that the database system element or WS database 10 shown in Fig. 5 may comprise several further elements or functions besides those described herein below, which are omitted herein for the sake of simplicity as they are not essential for understanding the invention. Furthermore, even though reference is made to a WS database, the database system element may be also another device having a similar function, such as a module etc., which can also be part of another network element or server, or the like.

The WS database 10 may comprise a processing function or processor 11, such as a CPU or the like, which executes instructions given by programs or the like related to the communication control mechanism. The processor 11 may comprise one or more processing portions dedicated to specific processing as described below, or the processing may be run in a single processor. Portions for executing such specific processing may be also provided as discrete elements or within one or more further processors or processing portions, such as in one physical processor like a CPU or in several physical entities, for example. Reference sign 12 denote transceiver or input/output (I/O) units (interfaces) connected to the processor 11. The I/O units 12 may be used for communicating with an incumbent controller element and/or at least one secondary user like a O&M entity or BTS. The I/O unit 12 may be a combined unit comprising communication equipment towards several network elements, or may comprise a distributed structure with a plurality of different interfaces for different network elements. Reference sign 13 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor 11 and/or as a working storage of the processor 11.

The processor 11 is configured to execute processing related to the above described communication control mechanism. In particular, the processor 1 1 comprises a sub-portion 111 as a processing portion which is usable for conducting a registration processing with secondary users. The portion 111 may be configured to perform processing according to step SI 10 of Fig. 3, for example. Furthermore, the processor 11 comprises a sub-portion 112 usable as a portion for determining the free communication resources from the incumbent communication spectrum. The portion 112 may be configured to perform processing according to step S 100 of Fig. 3, for example. In addition, the processor 11 comprises a sub-portion 113 as a processing portion which is usable for selecting the permitted resources. The portion 113 may be configured to perform processing according to step S 120 of Fig. 3, for example. Furthermore, the processor 11 comprises a sub-portion 114 usable as a portion for conducting a processing for generating and sending the resource usage command. The portion 114 may be configured to perform processing according to step S 130 of Fig. 3, for example. Moreover, the processor 11 comprises a sub-portion 115 usable as a portion for conducting a processing for ending permission of the usage of the communication resources. The portion 115 may be configured to perform processing according to steps S140 and S 150 of Fig. 3, for example. In addition, the processor 11 comprises a sub-portion 116 usable as a portion for processing information from the incumbent side regarding changes in the resource usage by the incumbent system (e.g. changed shortterm requirements).

In Fig. 6, a block circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a secondary user, such as of an O&M entity or BTS 20 as shown in Fig. 1, is shown, which is configured to implement the processing for communication control as described in connection with the examples of embodiments of the invention. It is to be noted that the secondary user (O&M/BTS) 20 shown in Fig. 6 may comprise several further elements or functions besides those described herein below, which are omitted herein for the sake of simplicity as they are not essential for understanding the invention. Furthermore, even though reference is made to a O&M entity or BTS, the secondary user may be also another network element or device having a similar function, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a O&M entity or BTS or attached as a separate element thereto, or the like.

The secondary user 20 may comprise a processing function or processor 21, such as a CPU or the like, which executes instructions given by programs or the like related to the above described communication control mechanism. The processor 21 may comprise one or more processing portions dedicated to specific processing as described below, or the processing may be run in a single processor. Portions for executing such specific processing may be also provided as discrete elements or within one or more further processors or processing portions, such as in one physical processor like a CPU or in several physical entities, for example. Reference sign 22 denotes transceiver or input/output (I/O) units or interfaces connected to the processor 21. The I/O units 22 may be used for communicating with database elements, such as the WS database 10. The I/O units 22 may be a combined unit comprising communication equipment towards several of the network element in question, or may comprise a distributed structure with a plurality of different interfaces for each network element in question. Reference sign 23 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor 21 and/or as a working storage of the processor 21.

The processor 21 is configured to execute processing related to the above described communication control mechanism, for example. In particular, the processor 21 comprises a sub-portion 211 as a processing portion which is usable for conducting a registration processing with the WS database 10.

The portion 211 may be configured to perform processing according to step S200 according to Fig. 4, for example. Furthermore, the processor 21 comprises a sub-portion 212 as a processing portion which is usable as a portion for processing a resource usage command wherein also an acknowledgment process (sending of an ACK) may be included. The portion

212 may be configured to perform a processing according to step S210 according to Fig. 4, for example. Moreover, the processor 21 comprises a sub-portion 213 as a processing portion which is usable as a portion for conducting a determination of communication resources being indicated in the resource usage command for actual usage in a communication function thereof. The portion 213 may be configured to perform processing according to step S220 according to Fig. 4, for example. In addition, the processor 21 may comprise a sub-portion 214 as a processing portion which is usable as a portion for conducting a processing for ending the usage of the (permitted) communication resources, i.e. for releasing the resources. The portion 214 may be configured to perform a processing according to steps S230 and S240 according to Fig. 4, for example.

It is to be noted that examples of embodiments of the invention are not related to a specific spectrum band of the incumbent communication spectrum. That is, the communication spectrum to be considered may comprise parts of one or more different spectra, such as microwave spectrum, radio spectrum, optical spectrum etc.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that examples of embodiments of the invention are not only applicable to communication systems as such, but also to systems using some part of an electromagnetic spectrum for other purposes than communication, such as only for transmission/reception functions like a radar system. In such a case, the term "communication resource" is to be understood as a spectrum resource usable for the respective spectrum based function of the secondary user, such as radar detection or the like.

According to a further example of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided, for example, an apparatus comprising spectrum resources selection means for selecting from stored data indicating free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user, and resource controlling means for transmitting a resource usage command to a secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources.

According to a further example of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided, for example, an apparatus comprising resource usage command processing means for receiving and processing a resource usage command from a database system, the resource usage command indicating a set of permitted spectrum resources selected from free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider, and spectrum resources using portion for determining spectrum resources from the set of permitted spectrum resources for a usage in a spectrum based function.

For the purpose of the present invention as described herein above, it should be noted that

- an access technology via which signaling is transferred to and from a network element may be any technology by means of which a network element or sensor node can access another network element or node (e.g. via a base station or generally an access node). Any present or future technology, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Access Network), WiMAX

(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE, LTE-A, Bluetooth, Infrared, and the like may be used; although the above technologies are mostly wireless access technologies, e.g. in different radio spectra, access technology in the sense of the present invention implies also wired technologies, e.g. IP based access technologies like cable networks or fixed lines but also circuit switched access technologies; access technologies may be distinguishable in at least two categories or access domains such as packet switched and circuit switched, but the existence of more than two access domains does not impede the invention being applied thereto, - usable communication networks, stations and transmission nodes may be or comprise any device, apparatus, unit or means by which a station, entity or other user equipment may connect to and/or utilize services offered by the access network; such services include, among others, data and/or (audio-) visual communication, data download etc. ;

- a user equipment or communication network element (station) may be any device, apparatus, unit or means by which a system user or subscriber may experience services from an access network, such as a mobile phone or smart phone, a personal digital assistant PDA, or computer, or a device having a corresponding functionality, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a UE or attached as a separate element to a UE, or the like;

- method steps likely to be implemented as software code portions and being run using a processor at a network element or terminal (as examples of devices, apparatuses and/or modules thereof, or as examples of entities including apparatuses and/or modules for it), are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language as long as the functionality defined by the method steps is preserved;

- generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the invention in terms of the functionality implemented;

- method steps and/or devices, apparatuses, units or means likely to be implemented as hardware components at a terminal or network element, or any module(s) thereof, are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as a microprocessor or CPU (Central Processing Unit), MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., using for example ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field-programmable

Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components; in addition, any method steps and/or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as software components may for example be based on any security architecture capable e.g. of authentication, authorization, keying and/or traffic protection ;

- devices, apparatuses, units or means can be implemented as individual devices, apparatuses, units or means, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device, apparatus, unit or means is preserved; for example, for executing operations and functions according to examples of embodiments of the invention, one or more processors may be used or shared in the processing, or one or more processing sections or processing portions may be used and shared in the processing, wherein one physical processor or more than one physical processor may be used for implementing one or more processing portions dedicated to specific processing as described,

- an apparatus may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor;

- a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example. As described above, there is provided a communication control mechanism using a database system in which information about available communication resources are stored. After a secondary user is registered at the database, suitable communication resources are selected by the database and a resource usage command is sent by the database to the secondary user, preferably in regular intervals, to indicate the permitted communication resources. The permission can be immediately ended by sending a corresponding release command to the secondary user.

Although the present invention has been described herein before with reference to particular embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications can be made thereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor,

at least one interface to at least one other network element, and a memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one processor comprises

a spectrum resources selection portion configured to select from stored data indicating free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user, and

a resource controlling portion configured to cause transmission of a resource usage command to a secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

a spectrum resource data storing portion configured to receive and process spectrum resource data from the incumbent service provider for determining and storing the data indicating the free spectrum resources of the spectrum allocated to the incumbent service provider.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

a registration processing portion configured to conduct a registration processing with at least one secondary user, wherein the registration processing comprises receiving and processing of interference related information about the secondary user comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the spectrum resources selection portion is configured to conduct selecting of a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user from the stored data only for a secondary user being registered, wherein the selecting comprises a determination of suitable spectrum resources for the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of the interference related information about the secondary user.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resource controlling portion is further configured to cause transmission of the resource usage command to the secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and a request from the incumbent service provider.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

an acknowledgment processing portion configured to receive and process an acknowledgment in response to the resource usage command.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the acknowledgement processing portion is further configured to determine that an acknowledgment is not received, wherein the spectrum resources selection portion is further configured to reset the selection of spectrum resources for the secondary user from which the acknowledgment is not received.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

a release commanding portion configured to cause sending of an immediate release command to the secondary user for instructing a stop of usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resource usage command further comprises at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus is comprised in a white space database system and the secondary user is one of an operation and maintenance element, a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, or a group of communication network control elements of a wireless communication network, wherein the spectrum resources are communication resources.

11. A method comprising

selecting from stored data indicating free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider a set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user, and

causing transmission of a resource usage command to a secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising

receiving and processing spectrum resource data from the incumbent service provider for determining and storing the data indicating the free spectrum resources of the spectrum allocated to the incumbent service provider.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising

conducting a registration processing with at least one secondary user, wherein the registration processing comprises receiving and processing of interference related information about the secondary user comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting .

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein

the selecting of the set of spectrum resources permitted to be used by a secondary user from the stored data is conducted only for a secondary user being registered, wherein the selecting comprises determining of suitable spectrum resources for the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of the interference related information about the secondary user.

15. The method according to any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising causing transmission of the resource usage command to the secondary user for indicating the set of permitted spectrum resources on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and a request from the incumbent service provider.

16. The method according to any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising receiving and processing an acknowledgment in response to the resource usage command.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising

determining that an acknowledgment is not received, and

resetting the selection of spectrum resources for the secondary user from which the acknowledgment is not received.

18. The method according to any of claims 11 to 17, further comprising causing to send an immediate release command to the secondary user for instructing a stop of usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command.

19. The method according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the resource usage command further comprises at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission.

20. The method according to any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the method is implemented in a white space database system, wherein the secondary user is one of an operation and maintenance element, a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, or a group of communication network control elements of a wireless communication network, wherein the spectrum resources are communication resources.

21. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor,

at least one interface to at least one other network element, and a memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the at least one processor comprises a resource usage command processing portion configured to receive and process a resource usage command from a database system, the resource usage command indicating a set of permitted spectrum resources selected from free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider, and

a spectrum resources using portion configured to determine spectrum resources from the set of permitted spectrum resources for a usage in a spectrum based function.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

a registration portion configured to conduct a registration processing with the database system, wherein the registration processing comprises revealing of interference related information comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein

the set of spectrum resources permitted to be used for a spectrum based function is received after conducting the registration processing, wherein the spectrum resources indicated in the set of permitted spectrum resources are related to the interference related information.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the resource usage command processing portion is configured to receive the resource usage command on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and an arbitrary time.

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the at least one processor further comprises

an acknowledgment portion configured to cause sending of an acknowledgment in response to the resource usage command.

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the at least one processor further comprises a release command processing portion configured to receive and process an immediate release command for stopping usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command.

27. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the resource usage command further comprises at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the processor further comprises a spectrum resource usage stopping portion configured to stop the usage of spectrum resources indicated in the set of permitted spectrum resources in case the resource usage command comprises information about expiring time of permission and the time is expired.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the apparatus is comprised in at least one of an operation and maintenance element and a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, and the database system is a white space database system, wherein the spectrum based function is a communication function and the spectrum resources are communication resources.

30. A method comprising

receiving and processing a resource usage command from a database system, the resource usage command indicating a set of permitted spectrum resources selected from free spectrum resources of a spectrum allocated to an incumbent service provider, and

determining spectrum resources from the set of permitted spectrum resources for a usage in a spectrum based function.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising

conducting a registration processing with the database system, wherein the registration processing comprises revealing of interference related information comprising at least one of location information, transmitter properties, antenna properties, channel setting, carrier setting.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein

33. The method according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the resource usage command is received on the basis of at least one of a predetermined interval and an arbitrary time.

34. The method according to any of claims 30 to 33, further comprising causing of sending an acknowledgment in response to the resource usage command.

35. The method according to any of claims 30 to 34, further comprising receiving and processing an immediate release command for stopping usage of all or a part of the permitted spectrum resources indicated in the resource usage command.

36. The method according to any of claims 30 to 35, wherein the resource usage command further comprises at least one of channel information, maximum transmit power information, time information for permitted usage of spectrum resources, and information about expiring time of permission.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising stopping the usage of spectrum resources indicated in the set of permitted spectrum resources in case the resource usage command comprises information about expiring time of permission and the time is expired.

38. The method according to any of claims 30 to 37, wherein the method is implemented in at least one of an operation and maintenance element and a communication network control element of a wireless communication network, wherein the database system is a white space database system, wherein the spectrum based function is a communication function and the spectrum resources are communication resources.

39. A computer program product for a computer, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of any of claims 11 to 20 or 30 to 38 when said product is run on the computer.

40. The computer program product according to claim 39, wherein

the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored, and/or

the computer program product is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.