TPRC 2024: The 52nd Research Conference on Communications, Information and Inter

Link to paper

Abstract:
Future G networks will require more dynamic, agile support for the management of radio frequency spectrum on a fine-grained basis. The radio access network (RAN) technologies necessary to enable Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) have progressed significantly over the past 20 years, but the challenges of realizing the potential for DSA requires the co-evolution of the technologies, business models/market structures, and regulatory policy for wireless networks. This paper discusses a bottom-up, multi-disciplinary approach to DSA. In particular, we focus on the use of standards-based Spectrum Consumption Models (SCMs), and review on-going research to incorporate SCMs in an automated management framework based on incentive-compatible, technically-sound spectrum access contracts, or Spectrum Access Agreements (SAAs). This work is being undertaken as part of the NSF National Radio Dynamic Zone (NRDZ) research initiative and this paper provides an introduction to the core concepts of the SCM/SAA framework, project goals, and preliminary insights into how the SCM/SAA can help improve spectrum management and advance R&D efforts to enable the transition to a shared spectrum future. The SCM/SAA research represents a bottom-up effort to develop the techno-economic tools to facilitate market-based experimentation and development of spectrum sharing markets, business models, and applications to complement and render more economically viable and relevant emerging DSA technologies and top-down regulatory reforms aimed at lowering spectrum sharing barriers.