SP311250WO00
1/67
4
Description
Title of Invention
COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE, COMMUNICATION CONTROL
5 METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001]
10 The present disclosure relates to a communication control device, a
communication control method, a communication device, a communication method,
and a communication system.
Background Art
15 [0002]
Secondary usage of a frequency is discussed as a method for alleviating
future depletion of frequency resources. The secondary usage of a frequency is that
part of or all the frequency channels preferentially allocated to a system is
secondarily used by the other system. Typically, a system which is preferentially
20 allocated with a frequency channel is called primary system and a system which
secondarily uses the frequency channel is called secondary system.
[0003]
A TV white space is an exemplary frequency channel whose secondary
usage is discussed (see Non-Patent Literatures 1 and 2). The TV white space is a
25 channel which is not used by a TV broadcast system depending on an area among
frequency channels allocated to the TV broadcast system as a primary system. The
TV white space is opened to a secondary system so that the frequency resource can
be efficiently utilized. A standard for a physical layer (PHY) and a MAC layer for
enabling the secondary usage of the TV white space can employ IEEE802.22,
30 IEEE802.11af and ECMA (European Computer Manufacturer Association)-392
(CogNea, see Non-Patent Literature 3 described later).
SP311250WO00
2/67
[0004]
The secondary system is generally required to operate so as not to give a
fatal interference to the primary system during the secondary usage of the frequency
band. An important technique therefor is transmission power control. For
5 example, Patent Literature 1 described later proposes therein a method for
calculating a path loss from a base station as a secondary system to a reception
device as a primary system and a discrete frequency width between frequency
channels and determining maximum transmission power of the secondary system
based on the calculation result.
10
Citation List
Non-Patent Literature
[0005]
Non-Patent Literature 1: "SECOND REPORT AND ORDER AND
15 MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER", [online], [searched on October 12,
2010], Internetublic/attachmatch/FCC-08-
260Al.pdf>
Non-Patent Literature 2: "SE43-Cognitive radio systems-White spaces (470-
790MHz)", [online], [searched on October 12, 2010],
20 Internet
Non-Patent Literature 3: "Standard ECMA-392 MAC and PHY for
Operation in TV White Space", [online], [searched on October 12, 2010],
Internet
Patent Literature
[0006]
Patent Literature 1: JP 2009-100452 A
30 Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
SP311250WO00
3/67
[0007]
However, with the method described in Patent Literature 1 described above,
the base station in a secondary system does not take into account the possibility of
the presence of the other secondary system, and thus the acceptable interference
5 amount to the primary system can be exceeded when a plurality of secondary
systems are present.
[0008]
It is therefore desirable to provide a mechanism capable of preventing fatal
interferences to the primary system upon secondary usage of a frequency band even
10 when a plurality of secondary systems are present.
Solution to Problem
[0009]
According to an embodiment, there is provided a communication control
device including a communication unit configured to make communication with one
15 or more secondary communication nodes operating a secondary system using at least
one of a frequency channel allocated to a primary system and a frequency channel
adjacent to the frequency channel, a determination unit configured to determine an
upper limit number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be
allocated with transmission power, and a power allocation unit configured to allocate
20 transmission power to each secondary system or each secondary communication
node in each secondary system based on the determined upper limit number and the
acceptable interference amount of the primary system.
[0010]
Further, the determination unit may determine the upper limit number based
25 on a communication quality requirement of each secondary system.
[0011]
Further, the determination unit may determine the upper limit number by
evaluating a difference between the interference amount to the primary system
estimated by a communication quality requirement of each secondary system and the
30 acceptable interference amount of the primary system.
[0012]
/
SP311250WO00
4/67
#
Further, when a plurality of frequency channels are used by one or more
secondary systems, the power allocation unit may allocate transmission power to
each secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary
system such that a sum of the interference amounts to the primary system caused by
5 secondary usage of the frequency channels does not exceed the acceptable
interference amount.
[0013]
Further, the determination unit may determine a first upper limit number of
frequency channels allocated to the primary system and a second upper limit number
10 of other frequency channels, and the power allocation unit uses the first upper limit
number and the second upper limit number to allocate transmission power to each
secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system.
[0014]
Further, the power allocation unit may tentatively distribute transmission
15 power to secondary systems using a frequency channel per frequency channel used
by the secondary system, and then redistributes transmission power in secondary
systems using a different frequency channel based on the tentatively-distributed
transmission power. I
[0015]
20 The power allocation unit may distribute or redistributes transmission power
in secondary systems, and then corrects transmission power to be allocated to each
secondary system based on a comparison between the acceptable interference
amount and the interference amount at a point where a sum of the interference
amounts is the largest within a service area of a primary system.
25 [0016]
Further, the communication unit may receive priority information for
defining a priority of a secondary system from another device, and the power
allocation unit allocates transmission power based on the transmission power
tentatively distributed to a secondary system having a higher priority, and then
30 redistributes transmission power to the remaining secondary systems.
SP311250WO00
5/67
[0017]
Further, the communication unit may receive priority information for
defining a priority of a secondary system from another device, and the power
allocation unit uses a weight depending on the priority to weight transmission power
5 to be allocated to each secondary system or each secondary communication node in
each secondary system.
[0018]
When a new secondary system starts to operate, the power allocation unit
may request a secondary system having excess transmission power among existing
10 secondary systems to reduce transmission power.
[0019]
The determination unit may determine a position of a reference point of the
primary system when estimating the interference amount to the primary system by
use of information received from a data server in the primary system.
15 [0020]
Further, the power allocation unit may determine transmission power
allocation based on the acceptable interference amount of the primary system, and a
path loss depending on a distance between the primary system and each secondary
system, and the distance between the primary system and each secondary system is a
20 minimum distance between the position of each secondary system and an outer
periphery of a service area of the primary system or a node of the primary system.
[0021]
Further, the power allocation unit may determine transmission power
allocation based on the acceptable interference amount of the primary system, and a
25 path loss depending on a distance between the primary system and each secondary
system, and the distance between the primary system and each secondary system is a
distance between the position of each secondary system and a certain point on an
outer periphery of a service area of the primary system or within the outer periphery.
[0022]
30 Further, the power allocation unit may ignore a secondary system for which
a distance from the primary system or a path loss depending on the distance exceeds
SP311250WO00
6/67
*
a predetermined threshold when calculating transmission power allocation.
[0023]
Further, the threshold may be set per frequency channel.
[0024]
5 Further, the power allocation unit may notify a power allocation result to a
secondary communication node in response to a request from the secondary
communication node received by the communication unit.
[0025]
Further, the power allocation unit may notify a power allocation result to a
10 secondary communication node without depending on a request from the secondary
communication node.
[0026]
Further, the power allocation unit may employ a margin for reducing an
interference risk upon transmission power allocation, and the communication control
15 device further comprises a margin setting unit configured to set the margin based on
the number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes in operation or
the maximum number of operable secondary systems or secondary communication
nodes per frequency channel.
[0027]
20 Further, the margin setting unit may set a margin per frequency channel
such that the margin of a frequency channel at the center of a band is relatively larger
than the margins of frequency channels at the ends.
[0028]
Further, according to another embodiment, there is provided a
25 communication control method using a communication control device for making
communication with one or more secondary communication nodes operating a
secondary system by use of at least one of a frequency channel allocated to a primary
system and a frequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel, including
determining an upper limit number of secondary systems or secondary
30 communication nodes to be allocated with transmission power, and allocating
transmission power to each secondary system or each secondary communication
SP311250WO00
7/67
#
node in each secondary system based on the determined upper limit number and the
acceptable interference amount of the primary system.
[0029]
Further, according to another embodiment, there is provided a
5 communication device operating a secondary system by use of at least one of a
frequency channel allocated to a primary system or a frequency channel adjacent to
the frequency channel, including a communication unit configured to receive a
transmission power allocation result from a communication control device
configured to allocate transmission power to each secondary system or each
10 secondary communication node in each secondary system based on an upper limit
number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated
with transmission power and the acceptable interference amount of the primary
system, and a control unit configured to restrict transmission power for
communication with another secondary communication node based on the
15 transmission power allocation result received by the communication unit.
[0030]
Further, according to another embodiment, there is provided a
communication method by a communication device operating a secondary system by
use of at least one of a frequency channel allocated to a primary system and a
20 frequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel, including receiving a
transmission power allocation result from a communication control device
configured to allocate transmission power to each secondary system or each
secondary communication node in each secondary system based on an upper limit
number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated
25 with transmission power, and the acceptable interference amount of the primary
system, and restricting transmission power for communication with another
secondary communication node based on the transmission power allocation result.
[0031]
Further, according to another embodiment, there is provided a
30 communication system including one or more secondary communication nodes
operating a secondary system by use of at least one of a frequency channel allocated
I
SP311250WO00
8/67
to a primary system and a frequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel, and a
communication control device configured to control communication with the one or
more secondary communication nodes. The communication control device includes
a communication unit configured to communicate with the one or more secondary
5 communication nodes, a determination unit configured to determine an upper limit
number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated
with transmission power, and a power allocation unit configured to allocate
transmission power to each secondary system or each secondary communication
node in each secondary system based on the determined upper limit number and the
10 acceptable interference amount of the primary system. Each of the one or more
secondary communication nodes includes a communication unit configured to
receive a transmission power allocation result from the communication control
device, and a control unit configured to restrict transmission power for
communication with another secondary communication node based on the received
15 transmission power allocation result.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0032]
As described above, with the communication control device, the
20 communication control method, the communication device, the communication
method and the communication system according to the present disclosure, it is
possible to prevent fatal interferences to a primary system upon secondary usage of a
frequency band even when a plurality of secondary systems are present.
25 Brief Description of Drawings
[0033]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining interferences caused in nodes
of a primary system upon secondary usage of a frequency.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an in-band interference and
30 an inter-band interference.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a structure of a
SP311250WO00
9/67
communication system according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an exemplary schematic flow of an
interference control processing performed in the communication system according to
one embodiment.
5 [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a
communication control device according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a flow of a power adjustment
processing by the communication control device according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of an upper limit number
10 determination processing according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a simultaneous usage number
in a limited sense and a simultaneous usage number in a broad sense by way of
example.
[Fig. 9A] Fig. 9A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first example of
15 excluded targets for power allocation depending on a distance from a primary system.
[Fig. 9B] Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second example of
excluded targets for power allocation depending on a distance from a primary system.
[Fig. 10A] Fig. 10A is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a flow of a power
allocation processing according to one embodiment.
20 [Fig. 10B] Fig. 1 OB is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a flow of the
power allocation processing according to one embodiment.
[Fig. IOC] Fig. IOC is a flowchart illustrating a third example of a flow of the power
allocation processing according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a power
25 readjustment processing according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a
secondary system management table according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 13A] Fig. 13A is a flowchart illustrating a first example of a flow of a
processing when the start of operating a secondary system is denied according to one
30 embodiment.
[Fig. 13B] Fig.l3B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a processing
SP311250WO00
10/67
when the start of operating a secondary system is held according to one embodiment.
[Fig. 13C] Fig. 13C is a flowchart illustrating a second example of a flow of a
processing when the start of operating a secondary system is denied according to one
embodiment.
5 [Fig. 14A] Fig. 14A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first example of a
definition of a distance between a primary system and each secondary system.
[Fig. 14B] Fig. 14B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second example of a
definition of a distance between a primary system and each secondary system.
[Fig. 14C] Fig. 14C is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third example of a
10 definition of a distance between a primary system and each secondary system.
[Fig. 14D] Fig. 14D is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fourth example of a
definition of a distance between a primary system and each secondary system.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a
secondary communication node according to one embodiment.
15 [Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a
communication control device according to one variant.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining setting of margins
depending on a frequency channel position in a band.
20 Description of Embodiment
[0034]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this
specification and the drawings, elements that have substantially the same function
25 and structure are denoted with the same reference signs, and repeated explanation is
omitted.
[0035]
Hereinafter, "Description of Embodiment" will be described in the
following order.
30 1. Outline of system
2. Basic interference control model
i
SP311250WO00
11/67
3. Exemplary structure of communication control device (manager)
4. Exemplary structure of communication device (secondary communication node)
5. Adaptive setting of margins
6. Conclusion
5 [0036]
<1. Outline of system>
Problems and an outline of a communication system according to one
embodiment will be first described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.
[0037]
10 [ 1 -1. Problems associated with embodiment]
Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining interferences caused in
nodes of a primary system upon secondary usage of a frequency. With reference to
Fig. 1, there are illustrated a primary transmission station 10 for providing services of
the primary system, and a primary reception station 20 positioned within a boundary
15 12 of a service area of the primary system. The primary transmission station 10
may be a TV broadcast station, or a wireless base station or relay station in a cellular
communication system, for example. When the primary transmission station 10 is a
TV broadcast station, the primary reception station 20 is a receiver having an antenna
or tuner for receiving TV broadcast. When the primary transmission station 10 is a
20 wireless base station in a cellular communication system, the primary reception
station 20 is a wireless terminal operating in the cellular communication system. In
the example of Fig. 1, a channel Fl is allocated to" the primary transmission station
10. The primary transmission station 10 can provide TV broadcast services,
wireless communication services or some other wireless services (which will be
25 referred to as primary service below) by transmitting wireless signals on the channel
Fl.
[0038]
Fig. 1 illustrates communication nodes 200a, 200b, 200c and 200d of a
plurality of secondary systems (which will be referred to as secondary
30 communication node below). Each secondary communication node uses the
channel Fl allocated to the primary system or a near channel F2 or F3 to operate the
i
SP311250WO00
12/67
secondary system. In the example of Fig. 1, the secondary communication node
200a positioned outside a guard area between the boundary 12 and a boundary 14
uses the channel Fl. The secondary communication nodes 200b and 200c positioned
within the guard area use the channels F2 and F3 near the channel Fl, respectively.
5 The secondary communication node 200d positioned outside the guard area uses the
channel F2.
[0039]
Under the circumstances of Fig. 1, the primary reception station 20 may be
influenced by an interference caused by a wireless signal transmitted from each
10 secondary communication node when receiving a primary service. Fig. 2 is an
explanatory diagram for explaining an in-band interference and an inter-band
interference. In the example of Fig. 2, the channel Fl is used by the primary system.
When the channel Fl is secondarily used by the secondary communication node
200a of Fig. 1, an interference can occur in the same channel. The channel F2 is
15 adjacent to the channel F1. The channel F3 is adjacent to the channel F2. A guard
band is provided between the channel Fl and the channel F2 and between the
channel F2 and the channel F3, respectively. It is ideal that when the channels F2
and F3 are used by other systems, the primary system is not interfered. However, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, a considerable interference can actually occur in a near channel
20 (such as channels F2, F3 and other channels) due to out-band radiation.
[0040]
With an existing method, each secondary communication node illustrated in
Fig. 1 controls its transmission power thereby to restrict an interference to be given
to the primary system in a one-to-one relationship with the primary system.
25 However, when a plurality of secondary systems are operated by a plurality of
secondary communication nodes, interferences caused by the individual secondary
systems are accumulated, consequently causing a risk that the primary system is
subjected to a fatal interference. The existing method cannot sufficiently restrict
such a risk thereby to secure a safe operation of the primary system.
30 [0041]
[1-2. Outline of communication system]
SP311250WO00
13/67
•
Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a structure of a
communication system 1 according to one embodiment. With reference to Fig. 3,
the communication system 1 includes the primary transmission station 10, a data
server 30, a communication control device 100 and the secondary communication
5 nodes 200a and 200b. In the example of Fig. 3, only the secondary communication
nodes 200a and 200b are illustrated as the secondary communication nodes, but more
secondary communication nodes may be actually present. In the following
explanation of the present specification, when the secondary communication nodes
200a and 200b (as well as other communication nodes) do not need to be particularly
10 discriminated from each other, an alphabet subsequent to the numeral is omitted and
they are collectively referred to as secondary communication node 200.
[0042]
The data server 30 is a server device having a database storing therein data
on secondary usage. The data server 30 provides data indicating secondarily usable
15 channels and position data on the transmission station 10 of the primary system to
the secondary communication node 200 in response to an access from the secondary
communication node 200. The secondary communication node 200 registers
information on the secondary system in the data server 30 when starting secondary
usage. Communication between the data server 30 and the secondary
20 communication node 200 may be made via an arbitrary network such as Internet.
Refer to Non-Patent Literature 1 describing secondary usage of TV white space for
an exemplary specification of the data server.
[0043]
The communication control device 100 serves as a secondary system
25 manager for adjusting transmission power used by each secondary communication
node 200 such that interferences due to the operation of the secondary systems do not
cause a fatal impact on the primary system. The communication control device 100
is accessible to the data server 30 via a network such as Internet, and acquires data to
be used for adjusting transmission power from the data server 30. The
30 communication control device 100 is communicably connected to each secondary
communication node 200. The communication control device 100 adjusts
;
SP311250WO00
14/67
#
transmission power of the secondary systems in response to a request from the
secondary communication node 200 or the primary system or periodically. The
communication control device 100 may be mounted on physically the same device as
the data server 30 or any secondary communication node 200, not limited to the
5 example of Fig. 3.
[0044]
Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an exemplary schematic flow of an
interference control processing performed in the communication system 1.
[0045]
10 At first, the secondary communication node 200 registers the information on
the secondary system in the data server 30 when starting secondary usage (step S10).
The information registered herein includes ID, class and positional data of a device
starting secondary usage, for example. The data server 30 notifies, to the secondary
communication node 200, information for configuring the secondary system such as
15 channel number list of secondarily usable frequency channels, acceptable maximum
transmission power and spectrum mask according to the registration of the
information on the secondary system. A cycle of accesses to the data server 30 by
the secondary communication node 200 may be determined based on a law
regulating frequency usage. For example, for FCC (Federal Communications
20 Commission), there is discussed a requirement that when a position of a secondary
communication node changes, position data should be updated every at least 60
seconds. There is further recommended that a list of usable channel numbers
should be confirmed by a secondary communication node every at least 30 seconds.
However, an increase in accesses to the data server 30 causes an increase in
25 overheads. Thus, a cycle of accesses to the data server 30 may be set to be longer
(such as integral multiple of a defined cycle). The access cycle may be dynamically
set depending on the number of active nodes (the cycle may be set to be longer
because of a low risk of interference when the number of nodes is low, for example).
The access cycle may be instructed to the secondary communication node 200 by the
30 data server 30 upon initial registration of the information on the secondary system,
for example.
SP311250WO00
15/67
[0046]
The communication control device 100, for example, periodically receives
information on the primary system from the data server 30, and updates the
information stored therein by use of the received information (step Sll). The
5 received information may include one or more among position data of the
transmission station 10 as a primary system, height of antenna, width of guard area,
list of channel numbers of frequency channels, acceptable interference amount of the
primary system, position data on reference point for interference calculation
described later, list of IDs of registered secondary communication nodes 200, and
10 other parameters (such as adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR), fading margin,
shadowing margin, protection ratio and adjacent channel selection (ACS)). The
communication control device 100 may receive all or part of the information on the
primary system (such as list of channel numbers) indirectly from the secondary
communication node 200. As described later, when a distribution margin is
15 adaptively set for distributing transmission power, the communication control device
100 may receive the parameters to be used for setting a distribution margin from the
data server 30. The parameters to be used for setting a distribution margin may
include the number of active secondary systems or the number of secondary
communication nodes per channel, or its representative value (such as inter-band
20 maximum value).
[0047]
Then, the secondary communication node 200 configures a secondary
system based on the information notified from the data server 30 (step SI2). For
example, the secondary communication node 200 selects one or a plurality of
25 channels from the secondarily usable frequency channels, and transmits a beacon to
its surroundings on the selected channels. Then, the secondary communication
node 200 establishes communication with a device responding to the beacon.
[0048]
Thereafter, an interference control request is transmitted from the secondary
30 communication node 200 to the communication control device 100 or from the
communication control device 100 to the secondary communication node 200 (step
SP311250WO00
16/67
•
SI3). The interference control request may be transmitted from the secondary
communication node 200 in response to a detected wireless signal from a different
secondary system from the secondary system operated by the secondary
communication node 200, for example. Instead, the interference control request
5 may be actively transmitted from the communication control device 100 to each
secondary communication node 200, for example. The interference control request
may be transmitted before configuring the secondary system in step SI2.
[0049]
When a response is returned to the interference control request, mutual
10 authentication and application level information are exchanged between the
communication control device 100 and the secondary communication node 200 (step
SI4). The information on the secondary system is transmitted from the secondary
communication node 200 to the communication control device 100 (step SI5). The
information transmitted herein may include ID, class and position data of the
15 secondary communication node 200, channel number of frequency channel (used
channel) selected by the secondary communication node 200, information on
communication quality requirements (Quality of Service (QoS)), priority information
•
and communication history.
[0050]
20 Then, the communication control device 100 performs a power adjustment
processing based on the information acquired from the data server 30 and the
secondary communication node 200 (step SI6). The power adjustment processing
by the communication control device 100 will be described below in detail. Then,
the communication control device 100 notifies a power allocation result to the
25 secondary communication node 200, and requests to reconfigure the secondary
system (step SI7).
[0051]
Then, the secondary communication node 200 reconfigures the secondary
system based on the power allocation result notified from the communication control
30 device 100 (step SI8). Then, when finishing reconfiguring the secondary system,
the secondary communication node 200 reports a reconfiguration result to the
SP311250WO00
17/67
communication control device 100 (step SI9). Then, the communication control
device 100 updates the information on the secondary system stored therein in
response to the report from the secondary communication node 200 (step S20).
[0052]
5 <2. Basic interference control model>
The power adjustment processing by the communication control device 100
in step S16 in the above sequence may be a processing based on an interference
control model described later, for example. The mathematical formulas for the
interference control model will be described herein by use of a true value expression,
10 but the interference control model can cope with a decibel value expression by
conversion of the mathematical formulas.
[0053]
At first, a reference point for interference calculation is assumed as i, a
frequency channel allocated to the primary system is assumed as fj, and the
15 acceptable interference amount of the primary system is assumed as IaCceptabie(i, fj)-
A single secondary system k secondarily using the channel fj is assumed to be
positioned on the outer periphery of the guard area. Then, the following relational
formula is established for maximum transmission power Pmax(fj, k) of the secondary
system, a path loss L(i, fj, k) for a minimum discrete distance (guard area width), and
20 the acceptable interference amount IaccePtabie(i, fj)-
[0054]
[Math. 1]
[0055]
25 The position of the reference point may be determined based on the
information received from the data server 30 by the communication control device
100 in step Sll in Fig. 4. When the reference point is previously defined, the
position data indicating the position of the reference point (such as latitude and
•
SP311250WO00
18/67
longitude) may be received from the data server 30. The communication control
device 100 may dynamically determine the position of the reference point by use of
the position data of the nodes, the service area or the guard area of the primary
system received from the data server 30, and the position data received from each
5 secondary communication node 200.
[0056]
When a plurality of secondary systems are present, transmission power
allocation to each secondary system is required to meet the following relational
formula obtained by extending formula (1).
10 [0057]
[Math. 2]
W*('./y>* f>(/,,*)L(/,/,,*)-^,*)
J/-IU.I
[0058]
15 Herein, the first term in the right side in formula (2) indicates a sum of the
interference amounts caused by the secondary systems secondarily using the same
channel as the channel fj allocated to the primary system. Mj is the number of
secondary systems secondarily using the same channel, P(fj, k) is power allocated to
the k-the secondary system (or a master secondary communication node for
20 managing the secondary systems or all the secondary communication nodes
including the master and the slaves), L(i, fj, k) is a path loss between the k-th
secondary system and the reference point i of the primary system, and G(fj, k) is a
gain component. The second term indicates a sum of the interference amounts
caused by the secondary systems secondarily using a near channel different from the
25 channel fj. Oj is the number of near channels, jj is an index of a near channel, Njj is
the number of secondary systems secondarily using a near channel, kk is an index of
the secondary system secondarily using a near channel, and H(fj, fy, kk) is a loss
SP311250WO00
19/67
component for the secondary system kk from the near channel fjj to the channel fj.
Mj and Njj may be the number of active secondary systems (or secondary
communication nodes).
[0059]
5 The gain component G in formula (2) may be mainly determined based on
the factors indicated in Table 1.
[0060] I
[Table 1]
Table 1. Factors of gain component between systems
Sign Factor
t>T3 (e e\ Protection ratio between channels with frequency separated
by fjj-fj
Shadowing margin
(Standard deviation of) shadowing
o
'. ". ". '. '. ". '.
, N Signal identification degree bv antenna directivity of primary
DdirU, fj) , . . , , « > . ,
reception station at channel fj(fjj) and reference point i
Signal identification degree by polarized wave of primary
reception station at channel ij(fjj) and reference point i
., Y Antenna gain of primary reception station at channel fj(fii)
Grant U, fj tost«)/ .
and reference point l
_ ,. » Feeder loss of primary reception station at channel fj(fjj) and
LfU, fj(orjj)) . .
reference point i
10 [0061]
For example, for the protection ratio PR in Table 1, the following concept
may be applied. That is, the acceptable interference amount from the secondary
system secondarily using a channel fcR to the primary system using a channel fas is
assumed as Iacceptabie- Further, required reception power of the primary system is
15 assumed as Preq(fBs)- The following formula is established between the parameters.
[0062]
[Math. 3]
SP311250WO00
20/67
* acceptable = *nq \JBS ) ' *R\JCR ~" JBS ) ( 3 )
[0063]
When the protection ratio is in a decibel expression, the following formula
may be used instead of formula (3).
5 [0064]
[Math. 4]
* acceptable = *nq \JBS) ' *" • « • «s ^ 4 j
[0065]
The loss component H in formula (2) depends on selectivity and leakage
10 ratio of a near channel, for example. Refer to "Technical and operational
requirements for the possible operation of cognitive ratio systems in the "white
spaces" of the frequency band 470-790 MHz"(ECC Report 159, 2010) for the details
of the gain component and the loss component.
[0066]
15 <3. Exemplary structure of communication control device (manager)>
An exemplary structure of the communication control device 100 for
adjusting transmission power between the secondary systems according to the
interference control model will be described below.
[0067]
20 [3-1. Entire structure]
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the
communication control device 100 according to the present embodiment. With
reference to Fig. 5, the communication control device 100 comprises a
communication unit 110, a data acquisition unit 120, a storage unit 130, an upper
25 limit number determination unit 140 and a power allocation unit 150.
SP311250WO00
21/67
[0068]
The communication unit 110 operates as a communication interface for
communication between the communication control device 100, and the data server
30 and the secondary communication node 200. The communication between the
5 communication control device 100, and the data server 30 and the secondary
communication node 200 may be realized by any of wired communication, wireless
communication or a combination thereof, respectively.
[0069]
The data acquisition unit 120 acquires various items of data to be used by
10 the communication control device 100 for adjusting transmission power between the
secondary systems from the data server 30 and the secondary communication node
200. For example, the data acquisition unit 120 receives the information on the
primary system from the data server 30. For example, the data acquisition unit 120
may receive the information on the secondary system from the secondary
15 communication node 200. Then, the data acquisition unit 120 stores the acquired
data in the storage unit 130.
[0070]
The storage unit 130 stores programs and data to be used for adjusting
transmission power by use of a storage medium such as hard disk or semiconductor
20 memory. For example, the storage unit 130 stores therein information previously
defined by a protocol or regulation, as well as the information acquired by the data
acquisition unit 120. The data stored in the storage unit 130 is output to each unit
upon the processing by the upper limit number determination unit 140 and the power
allocation unit 150. The storage unit 130 stores a power allocation result by the
25 power allocation unit 150.
[0071]
The upper limit number determination unit 140 determines an upper limit
number of transmission power allocation targets. The number of transmission
power allocation targets may be counted as the number of secondary systems or may
30 be counted as the number of secondary communication nodes participating in the
secondary systems. For example, when communication is multiplexed in a time
SP311250WO00
22/67
division manner in the secondary system, one secondary communication node
transmits a wireless signal within a secondary system at a timing. Thus, in this case,
the number of secondary systems and the number of secondary communication nodes
do not need to be discriminated. An upper limit number determined by the upper
5 limit number determination unit 140 may be used as the numbers Mj and Njj of
secondary systems in the right side of formula (2) described above by the power
allocation unit 150 described later.
[0072]
In the present embodiment, the upper limit number determination unit 140
10 determines an upper limit number of transmission power allocation targets based on
the communication quality requirement of each secondary system, for example.
More specifically, for example, the upper limit number determination unit 140
estimates the interference amount to the primary system when transmission power
meeting the communication quality requirement of each secondary system is
15 allocated to the secondary system. Then, the upper limit number determination unit
140 evaluates a difference between the estimated interference amount and the
acceptable interference amount of the primary system. Then, the upper limit
number determination unit 140 determines the maximum number of secondary
systems not exceeding the acceptable interference amount of the primary system as
20 the upper limit number of transmission power allocation targets. An exemplary
processing by the upper limit number determination unit 140 will be described below
more specifically.
[0073]
The power allocation unit 150 allocates transmission power to each
25 secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system
based on the upper limit number determined by the upper limit number determination
unit 140 and the acceptable interference amount of the primary system. At this time,
when a plurality of frequency channels are used by one or more secondary systems,
(in the situation of Fig. 1, for example), the power allocation unit 150 distributes
30 transmission power between the secondary systems such that a sum of the
interference amounts to the primary system caused by the use of the frequency
SP311250WO00
23/67
channels does not exceed the acceptable interference amount of the primary system
(IacceptabieO, fj)in formula (1)). An exemplary processing of the power allocation unit
150 will be described below more specifically.
[0074]
5 [3-2. Detailed processing]
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a flow of a power adjustment
processing in step S16 in Fig. 4. With reference to Fig. 6, a power adjustment
processing by the communication control device 100 can be divided into three stages.
The first stage is an upper limit number determination processing by the upper limit
10 number determination unit 140 (step SI 10). The second stage is to select a
secondary system as a power allocation target (step SI30). The third stage is a
power allocation processing by the power allocation unit 150 (step SI40). Each of
the three stages will be described below in detail.
[0075]
15 (1) Upper limit number determination processing
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of the upper limit
number determination processing by the upper limit number determination unit 140.
[0076]
With reference to Fig. 7, the upper limit number determination unit 140
20 acquires the information on the primary system provided from the data server 30
from the storage unit 130 (step Sill). The information acquired herein includes
data on the acceptable interference amount of the primary system, and on the
positions of the boundaries of the service area and the guard area of the primary
system. The upper limit number determination unit 140 acquires the information on
25 the secondary system collected from the secondary communication nodes 200 from
the storage unit 130 (step SI 12). The information acquired herein includes
information on communication quality requirements per secondary system and
position data on the secondary communication nodes 200. The information on
communication quality requirements may include minimum required signal-to-noise
30 ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR), or requested transmission
power, for example.
SP311250WO00
24/67
[0077]
Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 determines tentative
transmission power corresponding to the required communication quality for each
secondary system (step SI 13). The tentative transmission power corresponding to
5 the required communication quality may be minimum transmission power required
for meeting a required minimum SIR, for example. Instead, the tentative
transmission power corresponding to the required communication quality may be
requested transmission power. For example, in the FCC rule, maximum
transmission power fixed per device authentication class is defined. The upper limit
10 number determination unit 140 may determine maximum transmission power defined
for an authentication class of the secondary communication node 200 as tentative
transmission power instead of determining the tentative transmission power
according to the required communication quality as in the example of Fig. 7.
[0078]
15 Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 determines a path loss
depending on a position of the secondary communication node 200 for each
secondary system (step SI 14). A method for calculating a path loss may be a
method using a propagation curve described in the following literature 1 or literature
2, for example.
20 Literature 1: "BPR-10: Application Procedures and Rules for Digital
Television (DTV) Undertakings" (Industry Canada, BPR-10, Issue 1, August 2010)
Literature 2: "Method for point-to-area predictions for terrestrial services in
the frequency range 30 MHz to 3000 MHz" (Recommendation ITU-R P. 1546-4,
October 2009)
25 When a propagation curve is used, a reference table indicating the propagation curve
is previously stored in the storage unit 130. Then, the upper limit number
determination unit 140 determines a path loss corresponding to a distance between
the secondary communication node 200 and the reference point of the primary
system with reference to the propagation curve. The upper limit number
30 determination unit 140 may determine a path loss depending on a distance between a
position of the closest node to the reference point among the slave nodes of the
SP311250WO00
25/67
secondary system operated by the secondary communication nodes 200 and the
reference point, not depending on the position of the secondary communication node
200. For the calculation, only the slave nodes which are estimated to have a higher
interference level than the secondary communication node 200 may be considered
5 based on the parameters such as antenna height or antenna gain of each node.
[0079]
Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 calculates the
estimated interference amount to be given to the primary system by finding a product
of the tentative transmission power and the path loss for each secondary system (step
10 S115).
[0080]
Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 initializes a variable t
for storing the number of secondary systems to 1 (step SI 16). Then, the upper limit
number determination unit 140 selects t secondary systems (step SI 17). The
15 selection of the secondary systems may be made according to an arbitrary standard
such as order of time when the secondary system starts to operate, order of priority,
or random system. Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 calculates
a sum of the estimated interference amounts of the t selected secondary systems (step
S118).
20 [0081]
Then, the upper limit number determination unit 140 determines whether the
calculated sum of the estimated interference amounts is larger than the acceptable
interference amount of the primary system (step SI 19). When the sum of the
estimated interference amounts is not larger than the acceptable interference amount
25 of the primary system, t+1 is substituted into t in step SI 20 (that is, t is incremented),
and the processing returns to step SI 17. On the other hand, when the sum of the
estimated interference amounts is larger than the acceptable interference amount of
the primary system, the processing proceeds to step S121.
[0082]
30 In step S121, the upper limit number determination unit 140 determines an
upper limit number of power allocation targets per frequency channel based on the
SP311250WO00
26/67
*
channels used by the t-1 secondary systems (step S121). For example, when the
channels used by ti secondary systems among the t-1 secondary systems are equal to
the frequency channels allocated to the primary system, the upper limit number
determination unit 140 determines the upper limit number for the same channel as t\.
5 Similarly, the upper limit number determination unit 140 also determines an upper
limit number of other frequency channels.
[0083]
The upper limit number determination unit 140 may select a plurality of
combinations of t secondary systems for selecting the secondary systems in step
10 SI 17. In this case, when the sum of the estimated interference amounts is larger
than the acceptable interference amount of the primary system also for any selected
combination, the processing in step SI 19 may transit to step S121.
[0084]
The upper limit number of power allocation targets determined by the upper
15 limit number determination unit 140 may be the upper limit number of secondary
systems or secondary communication nodes for which simultaneous secondary usage
is permitted. "Simultaneous" herein is not "simultaneous" in a limited sense strictly
indicating the same point of time on the time axis but may be "simultaneous" in a
broad sense containing a certain offset in a temporal range. Fig. 8 illustrates a
20 simultaneous usage number in a limited sense and a simultaneous usage number in a
broad sense. In the example of Fig. 8, the simultaneous usage number in a limited
sense does not exceed 3 at any point of time. On the other hand, the simultaneous
usage number in a broad sense is 4 in the first period Tl, 5 in the second period T2, 2
in the third period T3, and 4 in the fourth period T4. The simultaneous usage
25 number in a broad sense is handled so that a time resolution of interference control is
lowered while loads for the control processing can be restricted.
[0085]
(2) Selection of secondary systems as power allocation targets
In the second stage of Fig. 6, the power allocation unit 150 selects the
30 secondary systems as transmission power allocation targets from among the
secondary systems operated by the secondary communication nodes 200 registered in
SP311250WO00
27/67
*
the data server 30 (step SI30). The secondary systems as transmission power
allocation targets refer to as many as the secondary systems not exceeding the upper
limit number determined in the first stage among the secondary systems which can
give a considerable level of interference to the primary system.
5 [0086]
For example, for a secondary communication node 200 for which a distance
between the secondary communication node 200 and the primary system exceeds a
predetermined threshold, the power allocation unit 150 determines that an
interference caused by the secondary system operated by the secondary
10 communication node 200 is ignorable. The secondary system for which it is
determined that an interference is ignorable is excluded from the transmission power
allocation targets. The secondary systems can operate by their own requested
transmission power without conforming to the power allocation by the
communication control device 100.
15 [0087]
A threshold for determining whether an interference is ignorable may be a
common threshold for all the frequency channels or may be a different threshold per
frequency channel. A threshold for the path loss depending on the distance may be
used instead of a threshold for the distance.
20 [0088]
For example, Fig. 9A illustrates a threshold Dl common for all the
frequency channels for the distance from the boundary 12 of the service area of the
primary system. The positions of the five secondary communication nodes 200 are
also schematically illustrated. In the example of Fig. 9A, the first, third and fourth
25 secondary communication nodes 200 among the five secondary communication
nodes 200 are not away from the boundary 12 of the service area of the primary
system to the outside beyond the threshold Dl. Thus, the first, third and fourth
secondary communication nodes 200 may be the transmission power allocation
targets by the power allocation unit 150. For the fourth secondary communication
30 node 200 positioned within the service area of the primary system, a distance to be
compared with the threshold Dl may be assumed as zero. On the other hand, the
SP311250WO00
28/67
distances from the second and fifth secondary communication nodes 200 to the
boundary 12 exceed the threshold Dl, respectively. Thus, a wireless signal
transmitted from the second and fifth secondary communication nodes 200 has an
ignorable level of interference given to the primary system, and the second and fifth
5 secondary communication nodes 200 are excluded from the transmission power
allocation targets by the power allocation unit 150.
[0089]
Fig. 9B illustrates two thresholds D2 and D3 for the distances from the
boundary 12. The threshold D2 is a threshold applied to the secondary system
10 secondarily using the same channel (the channel Fl in the example of Fig. 9B) as the
frequency channel allocated to the primary system. The third threshold D3 is a
threshold applied to the secondary system secondarily using a different frequency
channel from the channel Fl. In the example of Fig. 9B, the second and fifth
secondary communication nodes 200 among the five secondary communication
15 nodes 200 secondarily use the channel Fl. The second secondary communication
node 200 is not away from the boundary 12 to the outside beyond the threshold D2.
On the other hand, the distance between the fifth secondary communication node 200
and the boundary 12 exceeds the threshold D2. Thus, the fifth secondary
communication node 200 is excluded from the transmission power allocation targets
20 by the power allocation unit 150. The first, third and fourth secondary
communication nodes 200 secondarily use the channel F2. The first and fourth
secondary communication nodes 200 are not away from the boundary 12 to the
outside beyond the threshold D3. On the other hand, the distance between the third
secondary communication node 200 and the boundary 12 exceeds the threshold D3.
25 Thus, the third secondary communication node 200 is excluded from the
transmission power allocation targets by the power allocation unit 150. Under the
condition with the same transmission power and path loss, an interference from the
same channel is typically more fatal than an interference from a near channel, and
thus the threshold D2 may be set to be larger than the threshold D3.
30 [0090]
In this way, the secondary systems for which an interference is ignorable are
SP311250WO00
29/67
excluded from the transmission power allocation targets, and thus the calculation
amount for the power allocation processing described later can be reduced. A
different threshold per frequency channel is used, thereby evaluating an impact of
interference more accurately.
5 [0091]
Then, the power allocation unit 150 compares the number of remaining
secondary systems not excluded with the upper limit number determined by the
upper limit number determination unit 140. Then, when the number of secondary
systems exceeds the upper limit number, the power allocation unit 150 determines to
10 deny transmission power allocation to as many as the secondary systems
corresponding to the differential. For example, the power allocation unit 150 may
determine the secondary systems for which transmission power allocation is denied
based on the priority of the secondary system, the communication history or the
communication quality requirement. The secondary communication node 200 in
15 the secondary system for which transmission power allocation is denied may wait for
transmission power to be allocated. The power allocation unit 150 performs the
power allocation processing described later on as many as the secondary systems
equal to or less than the upper limit number determined by the upper limit number
determination unit 140.
20 [0092]
(3) Power allocation processing
(3-1) First example
Fig. 10A is a flowchart illustrating the first example of a flow of the power
allocation processing by the power allocation unit 150. In the first example, the
25 power allocation unit 150 tentatively distributes transmission power to the secondary
systems secondarily using the frequency channel per frequency channel, and then
redistributes the tentatively-distributed transmission power in consideration of an
impact between the different frequency channels. Then, the power allocation unit
150 corrects the distributed or redistributed transmission power to meet formula (2)
30 in the interference control model.
[0093]
SP311250WO00
30/67
With reference to Fig. 10A, the power allocation unit 150 first acquires the
information on the primary system provided from the data server 30 from the storage
unit 130 (step S141). The power allocation unit 150 acquires the information on the
secondary system collected from the secondary communication nodes 200 from the
5 storage unit 130 (step S142). Then, the power allocation unit 150 repeats the
processing in step SI43 per frequency channel used by the secondary system.
[0094]
In step S143, the power allocation unit 150 tentatively distributes
transmission power between the secondary systems using a channel of interest (step
10 SI43). The tentative distribution of transmission power may be performed
according to any of three systems including fixed margin system, equal system and
unequal system described later, for example.
[0095]
(Fixed margin system)
15 The first system is a fixed margin system. In the fixed margin system, a
fixedly-preset distribution margin MI (and safety margin SM) is used so that
transmission power to be distributed to each secondary systems is easily calculated.
In this case, calculation cost for distributing transmission power is reduced.
Transmission power P(fj, k) tentatively distributed to the k-th secondary system using
20 the frequency channel fj is derived from the following formula.
[0096]
[Math. 5]
P(fJ,k) = ImvlaUe(i,fj)/L(i,fi,k)-G(fJ,k)-MI-SM (5)
[0097]
25 (Equal system)
The second system is an equal system. In the equal system, transmission
power distributed in the respective secondary systems is equal to each other. That is,
transmission power is equally distributed in a plurality of secondary systems. The
transmission power P(fj, k) tentatively distributed to the k-th secondary system using
SP311250WO00
31/67
the frequency channel fj is derived from the following formula.
[0098]
[Math. 6]
Mj
P{fj,k)^Iampaik{i,fl)IJJ{L{i,fpkk)-G(fpkk)} (6)
5 [0099]
(Unequal system)
The third system is an unequal system. In the unequal system, more
transmission power is distributed to a secondary system having a larger distance
from the primary system. Thereby, a chance of secondary usage can be entirely
10 enhanced. The transmission power P(fj, k) tentatively distributed to the k-th
secondary system using the frequency channel fj is derived from the following
formula.
[0100]
[Math. 7]
P(fj,*) = IK^*.0,fj)'mfj.*)-G ' ( / * ) = _ *-ia'1 . . — (13)
[0111]
10 Of course, a weight in the weighting distribution system may be further
applied to each mathematical formula described above for redistribution.
[0112]
Then, the power allocation unit 150 searches a point where the interference
amount evaluated based on the redistributed transmission power is the strictest within
15 the service area of the primary system (step S145). For example, a point i' where
the interference amount is the strictest is searched as in the following formula (14) or
formula (14').
[0113]
[Math. 12]
SP311250WO00
35/67
#
f - aurgmxn 0 N *"' (14)
J -zZ(iK(/j.«)-^./^»)-c?(/J.«)//rc/i./jr.**)>
f zu ^
I'-argmin „ „ *•« (14')
' -iXinf^Myw^MyGif^MysMiBif^kk))
•K Jj*i ifaM J
[0114]
Then, the power allocation unit 150 calculates a correction coefficient A for
power distribution as in the following formula based on the total interference amount
5 and the acceptable interference amount IacceptabieO. fj) a t the point i' (step SI46).
[0115]
[Math. 13]
A = — — - — . — { 1 5 )
^PXf^kyui'j^kyG^k)
^i^{p,{fMMyL{i\fMMyGuMM)fmftj,M)}
. •*«wwa6fel' *Ji)
A = M • (15 )
In/y4)-^/^)-c(/^)-w
^iinfM^Hi^^-Gif^kkysM/Hifjj^m
[0116]
10 Formula (15') can be used when the applied interference margin reduction
system is applied to power distribution.
[0117]
SP311250WO00
36/67
#
Then, the power allocation unit 150 uses the calculated correction
coefficient A to correct transmission power to be allocated to the secondary system
according to the following formula (step S147).
[0118]
5 [Math. 14]
P"(fj,k) = P'(Jj,k)-A (16)
[0119]
(3-2) Second example
Fig. 1 OB is a flowchart illustrating the second example of a flow of the
10 power allocation processing by the power allocation unit 150. In the second
example, the power allocation unit 150 tentatively distributes transmission power to
the secondary systems secondarily using the frequency channel per frequency
channel as in the first example, and then redistributes the tentatively-distributed
transmission power in consideration of an impact in different frequency channels.
15 In the second example, the power allocation unit 150 determines the tentativelydistributed
transmission power in a stepwise manner depending on a priority per
secondary system or frequency channel, for example.
[0120]
In the example of Fig. 10B, at first, the power allocation unit 150 tentatively
20 distributes transmission power per channel for all the frequency channels used by the
secondary systems, as in the first example (step S141 to step SI43). Then, the
power allocation unit 150 determines whether the tentatively-distributed transmission
power meets formula (2) in the interference control model (step S149). When
formula (2) is not met, the processing proceeds to step SI 50.
25 [0121]
In step SI50, the power allocation unit 150 determines power distribution in
the secondary system with a higher priority among the secondary systems for which
power distribution is not determined (step SI50). For example, the power
allocation unit 150 may determine the transmission power tentatively distributed to
SP311250WO00
37/67
the secondary system with a higher priority as transmission power to be allocated to
the secondary system. Instead, the power allocation unit 150 may determine a value
obtained by multiplying the tentatively-distributed transmission power by a weight
depending on the priority as transmission power to be allocated to the secondary
5 system.
[0122]
Then, the power allocation unit 150 employs an inter-band interference, and
redistributes transmission power to the remaining secondary systems for which
power distribution is not determined (step S151). The calculation formulas for
10 redistribution may be the same as the above formula (12) or (13).
[0123]
Thereafter, when formula (2) is met in step SI49, the power allocation unit
150 determines the tentatively-distributed transmission power or redistributed
transmission power as transmission power to be allocated to the secondary system
15 for all the secondary systems (step S152).
[0124]
(3-3) Third example
In the third example of the power allocation processing, the power
allocation unit 150 determines transmission power allocation without tentatively
20 distributing transmission power per frequency channel, unlike the first example and
the second example.
[0125]
When a difference between the left side and the right side in formula (2) is
assumed as Dj, formula (2) can be expressed as follows.
25 [0126]
[Math. 15]
'«W./,)« £w,,*>-w,.*)- J l' « wJ• P rl n x-/2
= 4-
: : : (18)
/ (i f \ IrUQi *** MJ+NjjfOfJ n rx
/ acceptabkV* JOf ) J [_ rAff+Njj J \_ Oj J
10
[0129]
A coefficient asj for the transmission power Ps for the s-th secondary system
at the j-th frequency channel, which appears in formula (18), can be calculated based
on the path loss L, the gain component G and the loss component H in the
15 interference control model. Thus, the power allocation unit 150 can calculate the
transmission power vector (Pi, ..., PMJ+NJJ) by calculating a coefficient matrix of
formula (18) and then deriving the solution of formula (18).
[0130]
It is assumed that the acceptable interference amount vector is IaCceptabie, the
20 transmission power vector is Ptx, and the coefficient matrix is A. Formula (18) is
expressed as follows. An element of the vector D corresponding to the margin may
be a fixed value or zero.
[0131]
[Math. 17]
SP311250WO00
39/67
Acceptable = A ' P
t X
+ D U9>
[0132]
For example, when the number of secondary systems Mj+Njj is equal to the
number of frequency channels Oj, the power allocation unit 150 can calculate the
5 transmission power vector (Pi, ..., PMJ+NJJ) as follows by use of the inverse matrix of
the coefficient matrix A as a square matrix.
[0133]
[Math. 18]
Ptx^A'1 (I acceptable ~ D) (2 0)
10 [0134]
When the number of secondary systems Mj+Njj is not equal to the number of
frequency channels Oj, the power allocation unit 150 may determine one
transmission power vector selected from the solutions of the transmission power
vector as the solution of the transmission power to be allocated to each secondary
15 system. The solution of formula (18) may be an approximate solution. A number
obtained by multiplying the number of secondary systems to be considered per
channel as in the following formula, instead of the number of secondary systems
Mj+Njj, may be handled as a dimensional number of the transmission power vector.
[0135]
20 [Math. 19]
Mj+L*NM (2 1)
[0136]
Fig. 10C is a flowchart illustrating the third example of a flow of the power
allocation processing by the power allocation unit 150.
SP311250WO00
40/67
*
[0137]
With reference to Fig. IOC, at first, the power allocation unit 150 acquires
the information on the primary system provided from the data server 30 from the
storage unit 130 (step S141). The information acquired herein includes the
5 acceptable interference amount vector IacCeptabie in formula (18). The power
allocation unit 150 acquires the information on the secondary system collected from
the secondary communication nodes 200 from the storage unit 130 (step SI42).
[0138]
Then, the power allocation unit 150 calculates the coefficient matrix A in a
10 relational formula between the transmission power vector Ptx and the acceptable
interference amount vector IacCeptabie according to the interference control model (step
SI54). Thereby, the relational formula between the transmission power vector P^
and the acceptable interference amount vector IaCceptabie is formed as in formula (18).
Then, the power allocation unit 150 determines transmission power distribution by
15 solving the formed relational formula (step S155).
[0139]
(4) Readjustment of transmission power
When determining the transmission power allocation to the secondary
systems according to the above method, the communication control device 100
20 notifies a value of the allocated transmission power in a reconfiguration request to
the secondary communication node 200. Thereafter, a new secondary
communication node 200 can start operating the secondary system. In this case, the
communication control device 100 may perform the power adjustment processing
illustrated in Fig. 6 again and may reallocate the transmission power to the existing
25 secondary system and the new secondary system. Instead, the communication
control device 100 may readjust the transmission power previously allocated to the
existing secondary system and additionally allocate the transmission power to the
new secondary system as described later.
[0140]
30 Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a power
readjustment processing by the communication control device 100. With reference
SP311250WO00
41/67
+
to Fig. 11, at first, the power allocation unit 150 waits for the new secondary system
to be operated (step S161). For example, the communication unit 110 receives an
interference control request from the secondary communication node 200 so that the
power allocation unit 150 recognizes the start of operating the new secondary system.
5 The processing then proceeds to step S162.
[0141]
In step SI62, the power allocation unit 150 calculates an excess
communication quality for the required communication quality depending on the
allocated transmission power for each of the existing secondary systems (step SI62).
10 For example, a communication distance between the secondary communication
nodes within the k-th secondary system at the frequency channel fj is assumed as R
and the required communication quality is assumed as SrNRreq(fj, k, R). The
communication quality depending on the allocated transmission power is assumed as
SINRest(fj, k, R). Then, an excess rate ag, k of transmission power for the secondary
15 system is derived as follows.
[0142]
[Math. 20]
aM = SINRest (f}. ,k,R)/ SINR„q (/; , M ) (22)
[0143]
20 Then, the power allocation unit 150 determines whether excess transmission
power is present for each secondary system (step SI63). For example, when the
excess rate ccfj, k calculated by formula (22) is larger than 1.0, the power allocation
unit 150 can determine that excess transmission power is present for the secondary
system. Then, the power allocation unit 150 recalculates the transmission power for
25 the secondary system for which excess transmission power is present according to
the following formula (step SI64).
[0144]
[Math. 21]
SP311250WO00
42/67
Popt(fpk) = P(fpk)'a£,k (2 3)
[0145]
In formula (23), P(fj, k) indicates allocated transmission power, and Popt(fj,
k) indicates recalculated transmission power.
5 [0146]
When terminating the recalculation of the transmission power for the
existing secondary system in this way, the power allocation unit 150 determines
whether transmission power can be distributed to the new secondary system (step
SI65). For example, when the existing secondary system in which excess
10 transmission power is present reduces the transmission power, thereby to accept a
new secondary system, the power allocation unit 150 determines that transmission
power can be distributed to the new secondary system. When it is determined that
transmission power cannot be distributed to the new secondary system, transmission
power is not distributed to the new secondary system and the transmission power
15 readjustment processing of Fig. 11 terminates. On the other hand, when it is
determined that transmission power can be distributed to the new secondary system,
the processing proceeds to step S166.
[0147]
In step SI66, the power allocation unit 150 transmits a reconfiguration
20 request to at least one secondary communication node 200 in the existing secondary
system, thereby to request to reduce the transmission power (step SI66). When a
room for accepting the new secondary system is generated, the power allocation unit
150 allocates transmission power to the new secondary system, and notifies a value
of the transmission power to the secondary communication node 200 in the
25 secondary system (step SI67).
[0148]
With the transmission power readjustment processing, the new secondary
system can start to operate at lower calculation cost than the transmission power
adjustment processing is performed again for all the secondary systems.
SP311250WO00
43/67
[0149]
The storage unit 130 in the communication control device 100 may hold a
secondary system management table as illustrated in Fig. 12 and may store
information on required quality of each secondary system, calculation result of
5 excess rate, and allocation of transmission power. In the example of Fig. 12, an ID
(identifier) of the secondary system is held per channel number, and the required
quality for each secondary system, the excess rate, and the latest allocation of
transmission power are stored in the secondary system management table.
[0150]
10 (5) To deny or hold operation start
In the above example, when the new secondary communication node 200
starts operating the secondary system, the communication control device 100
readjusts the transmission power previously allocated to the existing secondary
system. To the contrary, the communication control device 100 may deny or hold
15 the start of operating the new secondary system depending on the predetermined
maximum number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes.
[0151]
Fig. 13A is a flowchart illustrating the first example of a flow of a
processing when the start of operating the secondary system is denied. With
20 reference to Fig. 13A, at first, the power allocation unit 150 waits for the new
secondary system to be operated (step SI61). For example, the communication unit
110 receives an interference control request from the secondary communication node
200 so that the power allocation unit 150 recognizes the start of operating the new
secondary system. The processing then proceeds to step SI70.
25 [0152]
In step SI70, the new secondary system starts to operate so that the power
allocation unit 150 determines whether the number of secondary systems or
secondary communication nodes exceeds the registerable maximum number
previously determined (step SI70). Herein, when it is determined that the
30 registerable maximum number is not exceeded, the power allocation processing by
the power allocation unit 150 (or the power readjustment processing illustrated in Fig.
SP311250WO00
44/67
11) is performed (step SI71). On the other hand, when it is determined that the
registerable maximum number is exceeded, the power allocation unit 150 notifies, to
the secondary communication node 200 in the secondary system, that the registration
of the new secondary system is defined (step SI 72).
5 [0153]
FUG 13B is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a processing
when the start of operating the secondary system is held. With reference to Fig.
13B, at first, the power allocation unit 150 waits for the new secondary system to be
operated (step SI61). For example, the communication unit 110 receives an
10 interference control request from the secondary communication node 200 so that the
power allocation unit 150 recognizes the start of operating the new secondary system.
The processing then proceeds to step SI70.
[0154]
In step S170, the new secondary system starts to operate so that the power
15 allocation unit 150 determines whether the number of secondary systems or
secondary communication nodes exceeds the registerable maximum number
previously determined (step SI70). Herein, when it is determined that the
registerable maximum number is not exceeded, the power allocation processing by
the power allocation unit 150 (or the power readjustment processing illustrated in Fig.
20 11) is performed (step S171). On the other hand, when it is determined that the
registerable maximum number is exceeded, the power allocation unit 150 registers
only the data on the secondary system (or temporarily registers the secondary
system) without allocating transmission power to the new secondary system (step
SI73). Then, the power allocation unit 150 notifies, to the secondary
25 communication node 200 in the secondary system, that power is not allocated and
registration is held (step SI74). Thereafter, when the existing secondary system
stops operating, for example, transmission power is preferentially allocated to the
secondary system whose registration is held.
[0155]
30 Fig. 13C is a flowchart illustrating the second example of a flow of a
processing when the start of operating the secondary system is denied. In the third
i
SP311250WO00
45/67
»
example, it is assumed that the maximum number of secondary systems or secondary
communication nodes registerable in the data server 30 or the communication control
device 100 is previously determined per frequency channel.
[0156]
5 With reference to Fig. 13C, at first, the power allocation unit 150 waits for
the new secondary system to be operated (step S161). For example, the
communication unit 110 receives an interference control request from the secondary
communication node 200 so that the power allocation unit 150 recognizes the start of
operating the new secondary system. The processing then proceeds to step S170.
10 [0157]
In step SI70, the new secondary system starts to operate so that the power
allocation unit 150 determines whether the number of secondary systems or
secondary communication nodes exceeds the registerable maximum number for a
target channel (step SI70). Herein, when it is determined that the registerable
15 maximum number is not exceeded, the power allocation processing by the power
allocation unit 150 (or the power readjustment processing illustrated in Fig. 11) is
performed (step S171).
[0158]
On the other hand, in step SI70, when it is determined that the registerable
20 maximum number is exceeded, the power allocation unit 150 determines whether the
other channel is vacant (step SI75). Herein, when the other channel is vacant, the
power allocation unit 150 recommends the secondary communication node 200 in
the new secondary system to use the vacant channel (step SI76). On the other hand,
when the other channel is not vacant, the power allocation unit 150 notifies, to the
25 secondary communication node 200 in the secondary system, that the registration of
the new secondary system is denied (step SI77).
[0159]
(6) Distance between primary system and secondary system
In the upper limit number determination processing and the power
30 allocation processing illustrated in Fig. 6, a distance between the primary system and
each secondary system needs to be determined in order to derive a path loss per
SP311250WO00
46/67
secondary system. The distance between the primary system and each secondary
system can be defined according to any example described later, for example.
[0160]
(6-1) First example
5 In the first example, the distance between the primary system and each
secondary system is a minimum distance from the position of each secondary system
to the outer periphery of the service area of the primary system.
[0161]
For example, Fig. 14A illustrates the boundary 12 corresponding to the outer
10 periphery of the service area of the primary system, and four secondary systems
(secondary communication nodes 200). The first, second and third secondary
systems are positioned outside the service area of the primary system. The
minimum distances from the first, second and third secondary systems to the outer
periphery of the service area of the primary system are dOl, d02 and d03,
15 respectively. On the other hand, the fourth secondary system is positioned within
the service area of the primary system. The distances between the primary system
and the secondary systems may be assumed as zero when a path loss is derived for
the fourth secondary system. In this case, the path loss is maximum. Instead, the
minimum distance between the fourth secondary system and the boundary 12 may be
20 handled as the distance between the primary system and the fourth secondary system.
[0162]
(6-2) Second example
In the second example, the distance between the primary system and each
secondary system is a distance from the position of each secondary system to a
25 certain point on the outer periphery of the service area of the primary system or
within the outer periphery. The certain point may be a point on the outer periphery
of the service area of the primary system closest to a secondary system. The certain
point may be a point where a sum of the distances from the secondary systems is
minimum. The point may be considered as a point where a virtual reception station
30 of the primary system subjected to an interference from the secondary system is
positioned.
SP311250WO00
47/67
[0163]
For example, Fig. 14B illustrates the boundary 12 and four secondary
systems again. The first, second and third secondary systems are positioned outside
the service area of the primary system. A point on the boundary 12 closest to the
5 first secondary system is assumed as PI. The distances between the first, second
and third secondary systems and the primary system correspond to the distances dl 1,
dl2, and dl3 between the first, second and third secondary systems and the point PI,
respectively. On the other hand, the fourth secondary system is positioned within
the service area of the primary system. As in the first example, the distances
10 between the primary system and the secondary systems may be assumed as zero
when a path loss for the fourth secondary system is acquired. Instead, the distance
between the fourth secondary system and the point PI may be handled as the
distance between the primary system and the fourth secondary system.
[0164]
15 In Fig. 14B, a point P2 on the boundary 12 is where a sum of the distances
from the first, second and third secondary systems is minimum. The point P2 may
be used instead of the point PI. For example, when most of the secondary systems
are away from the guard area of the primary system, when the primary reception
station is present only in a narrow geographical area, or when the acceptable
20 interference amount is remarkably strict at a certain point, a predetermined certain
point may be used as a reference point for calculating the distances. When the
acceptable interference amounts are defined to be different per modulation system,
the reference point may be selected in consideration of not only the distance but also
the modulation system or the acceptable interference amounts.
25 [0165]
In a comparison between the first example and the second example, in the
first example, the distance can be more easily calculated while a value of the path
loss can be excessively underestimated. For example, when two secondary systems
oppose each other with the primary system sandwiched therebetween, the above
30 situation may occur. In this case, transmission power to be allocated to the
secondary systems has a smaller value. Thus, the first example can be of lower
SP311250WO00
48/67
calculation cost and safer definition in terms of interference prevention. On the
other hand, in the second example, a value of the path loss is less likely to be
excessively underestimated, and thus a chance of secondary usage can be further
enhanced.
5 [0166]
(6-3) Third example
In the third example, the distance between the primary system and each
secondary system is a distance between the position of each secondary system and
the primary reception station closest thereto. For example, Fig. 14C illustrates three
10 secondary systems and three primary reception stations. The first primary reception
station is positioned to be closest to the first secondary system. The distance
between the first secondary system and the first primary reception station is d21.
The second primary reception station is positioned to be closest to the second
secondary system. The distance between the second secondary system and the
15 second primary reception station is d22. The third primary reception station is
positioned to be closest to the third secondary system. The distance between the
third secondary system and the third primary reception station is d23. Thus, d21,
d22 and d23 can be used as the distance between the first secondary system and the
primary system, the distance between the second secondary system and the primary
20 system, and the distance between the third secondary system and the primary system,
respectively.
[0167]
(6-4) Fourth example
In the fourth example, the distance between the primary system and each
25 secondary system is a distance to the primary reception station where a sum of the
distances from the positions of all the secondary systems is minimum. For example,
Fig. 14D illustrates three secondary systems and three primary reception stations
again. The primary reception station where a sum of the distances from the
positions of the three secondary systems is minimum is the second primary reception
30 station. The distance between the first secondary system and the second primary
reception station is d31. The distance between the second secondary system and the
SP311250WO00
49/67
*
second primary reception station is d32. The distance between the third secondary
system and the second primary reception station is d33. Thus, d31, d32 and d33
can be used as the distance between the first secondary system and the primary
system, the distance between the second secondary system and the primary system,
5 and the distance between the third secondary system and the primary system,
respectively.
[0168]
In the third and fourth examples, the actual position of the primary reception
station is a reference point for calculating the distances, and thus the interference
10 amount needs to be estimated in a more practical manner.
[0169]
(6-5) Reference point on secondary system side
In the examples of FIGS 14A to 14D, there has been mainly described how
the reference point on the primary system side is set for calculating the distances
15 between the primary system and the secondary systems. To the contrary, various
setting methods can be considered for the reference point on the secondary system
side. For example, the position of the reference point on the secondary system side
may be simply at the position of the master secondary communication node 200 of
the secondary system. Instead, the position of the reference point on the secondary
20 system side may be at the position of the node closest to the guard area of the
primary system or any primary reception station among the nodes (the master node
and the slave nodes) in the secondary systems. Though the calculation is
complicated, a plurality of distances may be calculated with reference to the
positions of the nodes in the secondary systems, and a collective path loss can be
25 calculated depending on the distances. The method for setting a reference point on
the secondary system side may be combined with the method for setting a reference
point on the primary system side illustrated in Figs. 14Ato 14D.
[0170]
For example, a reference point on the secondary system side may be set as
30 follows in a stepwise manner. At first, a reference point on the secondary system
side is tentatively set at the master secondary communication node 200 of the
SP311250WO00
50/67
secondary system. Then, a point on the outer periphery of the service area of the
primary system closest to the secondary communication node 200 or a point of the
primary reception station closest thereto is set as a reference point on the primary
system side. Then, interferences given to the reference point on the primary system
5 side are estimated for each of the nodes (the master node and the slave nodes) of the
secondary systems. A position of the node on the secondary system side causing a
maximum interference to the reference point on the primary system side is set as a
final reference point on the secondary system side. For estimating an interference
per node in the secondary system, different transmission power may be considered
10 depending on a type of the node (master node or slave node).
[0171]
<4. Exemplary structure of communication device (secondary
communication node)>
Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of the
15 secondary communication node 200 operating the secondary system by use of
transmission power allocated by the communication control device 100. With
reference to Fig. 15, the secondary communication node 200 comprises a
communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a storage unit 230 and a wireless
communication unit 240.
20 [0172]
The communication unit 210 operates as a communication interface for
communication between the secondary communication node 200, and the data server
30 and the communication control device 100. The communication unit 210
transmits the information on the secondary system to the data server 30 under control
25 of the control unit 220 when starting secondary usage, for example. The
communication unit 210 receives the information notified from the data server 30.
The communication unit 210 exchanges interference control requests and responses
with the communication control device 100. Thereafter, when transmission power
allocation is determined by the communication control device 100, the
30 communication unit 210 receives a transmission power allocation result (step S17 in
Fig. 4).
SP311250WO00
51/67
[0173]
The control unit 220 serves to control the entire operations of the secondary
communication node 200. For example, the control unit 220 controls interferences
to the primary system upon the operation of the secondary system in association with
5 the communication control device 100 according to the sequence illustrated in Fig. 4.
More specifically, when the transmission power allocation result by the
communication control device 100 is received by the communication unit 210, the
control unit 220 restricts the transmission power for communication between the
wireless communication unit 240 and the other secondary communication node
10 based on the transmission power allocation result.
[0174]
The control unit 220 may further distribute the transmission power allocated
to the secondary systems operated by its device between the secondary
communication nodes participating in the secondary system. This means that the
15 secondary communication node 200 can serve as a master for managing transmission
power for a group of nodes participating in one secondary system. In this case, the
master secondary communication node 200 controls transmission power of the slave
nodes in order to prevent the communication between the slave nodes from giving
fatal interferences to the primary system. Typically, an error occurs in the control of
20 transmission power. However, for example, the safety margin SM is introduced,
thereby preventing fatal interferences due to an error in the control of transmission
power from occurring in the primary system. For example, the secondary
communication node 200 may recognize a duty cycle of the slave node, and may
dynamically set the safety margin depending on the recognized duty cycle. In this
25 case, the secondary communication node 200 reports the dynamically-set safety
margin to the communication control device 100 via the data server 30 or directly.
Instead, the communication control device 100 may dynamically set the safety
margin depending on the duty cycle reported from the secondary communication
node 200.
30 [0175]
The storage unit 230 stores therein programs and data to be used for
SP311250WO00
52/67
association with the communication control device 100 and operation of the
secondary system by use of a storage medium such as hard disk or semiconductor
memory.
[0176]
5 The wireless communication unit 240 operates as a wireless communication
interface for wireless communication between the secondary communication node
200 and the other secondary communication node. The wireless communication
unit 240 exchanges wireless signals with other secondary communication nodes
participating in the secondary systems according to the IEEE802.22, IEEE802.11af
10 or ECMA-392, for example. Transmission power of the wireless signals
transmitted from the wireless communication unit 240 is restricted by the control unit
220 based on the transmission power allocation result by the communication control
device 100.
[0177]
15 <5. Adaptive setting of margin>
In the fixed margin system according to the embodiment, the fixedly-preset
distribution margin MI is employed for distributing transmission power. A value of
the distribution margin MI is an arbitrary value in the range of 3 dB to 6 dB, for
example. A calculation for distributing transmission power is simplified by fixedly
20 setting the value of the distribution margin MI, and thus the fixed margin system has
an advantage of easy mounting. However, for example, when a fixed distribution
margin of 6 dB is introduced, the number of operable secondary systems per channel
is about 4 at maximum. The number of secondary systems is not necessarily
enough to enhance a chance of secondary usage of the frequency. When a fixed
25 margin having a larger value is set, there is a problem that when the number of
secondary systems is smaller than the estimated number, individual transmission
power is excessively restricted. Further, the number of secondary systems can be
different per channel, and thus the value of the margin may be dynamically set more
desirably than the fixed margin system. In the present section, a communication
30 control device having a structure of dynamically setting a value of the margin will be
described.
SP311250WO00
53/67
»
[0178]
Fig. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a
communication control device 300 according to one variant of the embodiment.
With reference to Fig. 16, the communication control device 300 comprises the
5 communication unit 110, a data acquisition unit 320, the storage unit 130, the upper
limit number determination unit 140, a margin setting unit 345, and a power
allocation unit 350.
[0179]
The data acquisition unit 320 acquires data to be used by the margin setting
10 unit 345 for dynamically setting a margin in addition to data to be acquired by the
data acquisition unit 120 of the communication control device 100 from the data
server 30 and the secondary communication node 200. The data to be used for
setting a margin can include the number of secondary systems or secondary
communication nodes in operation (that is, currently registered), or the maximum
15 number of operable (or registerable) secondary systems or nodes, for example, as
described later. The data acquisition unit 320 stores the acquired data in the storage
unit 130.
[0180]
The margin setting unit 345 sets a margin for reducing an interference risk
20 upon allocation of transmission power by use of the data acquired by the data
acquisition unit 320. The margin may be set per frequency channel, for example.
For example, when a distribution margin for the frequency channel f; is assumed as
MIj, the distribution margin MI; can be expressed as follows as a sum of an in-band
interference component and an inter-band interference component.
25 [0181]
[Math. 22]
M^MII+XMII. {243
[0182]
SP311250WO00
54/67
In formula (24), the first term in the right side is an in-band interference
component and the second term is an inter-band interference component.
Specifically, in the first example, the distribution margin MI; can be calculated as
follows by use of the number Uj of secondary systems or secondary communication
5 nodes in operation secondarily using the frequency channel fj.
[0183]
[Math. 23]
M; =Uf (25)
Ml^Ut-CCi (2 6)
[0184]
10 When the number U; of secondary systems or secondary communication
nodes in operation can be used also as a value of the margin, formula (25) is used.
On the other hand, when Ui is corrected, a correction coefficient oij is introduced as
in formula (26). The correction coefficient a, may be equal to the safety margin
SM in formula (5).
15 [0185]
In the second example, the distribution margin MI; can be calculated as
follows by use of the maximum number X; of secondary systems or secondary
communication nodes capable of secondarily using the frequency channel f;, for
example.
20 [0186]
[Math. 24]
Mi^Xi (2 7)
Mi^XrPi (2 8)
[0187]
When the maximum number Xj of secondary systems or secondary
25 communication nodes can be used also as a value of the margin, formula (27) is used.
SP311250WO00
55/67
On the other hand, when X, is corrected, a correction coefficient (3, is introduced as in
formula (28). The correction coefficient Pi may be equal to the safety margin SM in
formula (5). Xj does not change over time, unlike U; in formulas (25) and (26).
Thus, traffics for acquiring information can be further reduced in the second example
5 than in the first example.
[0188]
In the third example and fourth example, the value of the margin is common
in a plurality of frequency channels. In the third example, the distribution margin
MIj can be calculated as follows by use of the in-band maximum value of the number
10 of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes Uj in operation.
[0189]
[Math. 25]
M,-=max{£/f} (2 9)
Mi = max{(7f * a,} (30)
[0190]
15 In the fourth example, the distribution margin MI; can be calculated as
follows by use of the inter-band maximum value of the maximum number of
secondary systems or the maximum number of secondary communication nodes Xi
per channel.
[0191]
20 [Math. 26]
Mf = max{X,} (31)
Mt = max{^ft.«a{} (32)
[0192]
The margin setting unit 345 may set a margin per frequency channel such
that the margin of the frequency channel at the center of the band is relatively larger
25 than the margins of the frequency channels at the ends. In the example of Fig. 17,
SP311250WO00
56/67
nine frequency channels Fl to F9 are present in the entire band. With the channel
structure, the wireless signals from the adjacent channels and one more frequency
channel may be the interference sources, for example. Thus, for example, four
neighboring channels may be the interference sources for the frequency channels F3
5 to F7 at the center of the band, while two neighboring channels for the frequency
channels Fl and F9 at the ends of the band and only three neighboring channels for
the frequency channels F2 and F8 may be the interference sources. Thus, the
margin setting unit 345 can efficiently enhance a chance of secondary usage
particularly at the ends by setting the margins such that the margin of the frequency
10 channel at the center of the band is set to be larger than the channels at the ends as
illustrated in the lower graph of Fig. 17. The calculation of the margin depending
on the position of the frequency channel may be realized by defining the correction
coefficient ctj in formula (26) or the correction coefficient Pi in formula (28) as in the
graph of Fig. 17.
15 [0193]
The margin setting unit 345 may employ a value corresponding to a
transmission spectrum mask of the secondary system (or an adjacent channel leakage
ratio (ACLR)) for setting a distribution margin per frequency channel. For example,
when an out-band loss from the channel F_y to the channel Fi is assumed as H(i, jj, kk),
20 a value corresponding to the transmission spectrum mask is used so that the
distribution margin MIj can be updated as in the following formula:
[0194]
[Math. 27]
MI^=Ml,JH(i,Jf,kk) (33)
25 [0195]
The power allocation unit 350 allocates transmission power to each
secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system
based on the upper limit number determined by the upper limit number determination
unit 140 and the acceptable interference amount of the primary system like the power
SP311250WO00
57/67
allocation unit 150 in the communication control device 100. At this time, the
power allocation unit 350 uses a value adaptively set by the margin setting unit 345
as a value of the distribution margin MI.
[0196]
5 With the structure according to the variant, the value of the margin is
adaptively set, thereby more efficiently enhancing a chance of secondary usage
without causing a fatal interference to the primary system. The calculation
formulas of MI or MI'" in formula (25) to formula (33) may be used for calculating
MI' in the first term or MI" in the second term in the right side of formula (24).
10 [0197]
<6. Conclusion>
One embodiment has been described above with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig.
17. According to the present embodiment, the upper limit number of secondary
systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated with transmission power
15 is determined by the communication control device making communication with the
secondary communication nodes operating the secondary system, and transmission
power to be secondarily used is allocated based on the upper limit number and the
acceptable interference amount of the primary system. Thereby, when a plurality of
secondary systems are present, a fatal interference can be prevented from occurring
20 in the primary system while a chance of secondary usage is given to the secondary
systems within the upper limit number. A usage efficiency of the frequency
resources can be enhanced appropriately and safely.
[0198]
According to the present embodiment, the upper limit number of
25 transmission power allocation targets is determined by evaluating a difference
between the interference amount of the primary system estimated from the
communication quality requirement of each secondary system and the acceptable
interference amount of the primary system. Thereby, the required communication
quality is secured and the communication purpose can be achieved for the secondary
30 systems to which a chance of secondary usage is given.
[0199]
SP311250WO00
58/67
•
According to the present embodiment, when not only a frequency channel
allocated to the primary system but also a neighboring frequency channel is
secondarily used, transmission power is allocated such that a sum of the interference
amounts caused by the secondary usage of the frequency channels does not exceed
5 the acceptable interference amount of the primary system. Thereby, an inter-band
interference caused by an out-band radiation can be prevented from causing a fatal
interference to the primary system.
[0200]
According to the present embodiment, transmission power is tentatively
10 distributed to the secondary systems using the frequency channel per frequency
channel, and then redistributed between the secondary systems using different
frequency channels. With the stepwise transmission power distribution, the
transmission power to be allocated can be calculated with less calculation resources.
Consequently, loads for transmission power allocation can be reduced when the
15 number of frequency channels or the number of secondary systems to be considered
increases.
[0201]
The processing in each device described in the present specification may be
realized by any of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.
20 The programs configuring the software are previously stored in a storage medium
provided inside or outside each device, for example. Each program is read in a
RAM (Random Access Memory) during execution, and is executed by a processor
such as CPU (Central Processing Unit).
[0202]
25 The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described
above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the present invention is
not limited to the above examples, of course. A person skilled in the art may find
various alternations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and
it should be understood that they will naturally come under the technical scope of the
30 present invention.
SP311250WO00
59/67
Reference Signs List
[0203]
100,300 Communication control device
110 Communication unit
5 140 (Upper limit number) determination unit
345 Margin setting unit
150,350 Power allocation unit
200 Communication device (secondary communication node)
210 Communication unit
10 220 Control unit
I.

SP311250WO00
60/67
%
CLAIMS
Claim 1
A communication control device comprising:
a communication unit configured to make communication with one or more
5 secondary communication nodes operating a secondary system using at least one of a
frequency channel allocated to a primary system and a frequency channel adjacent to
the frequency channel;
a determination unit configured to determine an upper limit number of
secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated with
10 transmission power; and
a power allocation unit configured to allocate transmission power to each
secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system
based on the determined upper limit number and the acceptable interference amount
of the primary system.
15
Claim 2
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the
determination unit determines the upper limit number based on a communication
quality requirement of each secondary system.
20
Claim 3
The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the
determination unit determines the upper limit number by evaluating a difference
between the interference amount to the primary system estimated by a
25 communication quality requirement of each secondary system and the acceptable
interference amount of the primary system.
Claim 4
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein when a
30 plurality of frequency channels are used by one or more secondary systems, the
power allocation unit allocates transmission power to each secondary system or each
SP311250WO00
61/67
secondary communication node in each secondary system such that a sum of the
interference amounts to the primary system caused by secondary usage of the
frequency channels does not exceed the acceptable interference amount.
5 Claim 5
The communication control device according to claim 4, wherein the
determination unit determines a first upper limit number of frequency channels
allocated to the primary system and a second upper limit number of other frequency
channels, and the power allocation unit uses the first upper limit number and the
10 second upper limit number to allocate transmission power to each secondary system
or each secondary communication node in each secondary system.
Claim 6
The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein the power
15 allocation unit tentatively distributes transmission power to secondary systems using
a frequency channel per frequency channel used by the secondary system, and then
redistributes transmission power in secondary systems using a different frequency
channel based on the tentatively-distributed transmission power.
20 Claim 7
The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the power
allocation unit distributes or redistributes transmission power in secondary systems,
and then corrects transmission power to be allocated to each secondary system based
on a comparison between the acceptable interference amount and the interference
25 amount at a point where a sum of the interference amounts is the largest within a
service area of a primary system.
Claim 8
The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the
30 communication unit receives priority information for defining a priority of a
secondary system from another device, and the power allocation unit allocates
SP311250WO00
62/67
#
transmission power based on the transmission power tentatively distributed to a
secondary system having a higher priority, and then redistributes transmission power
to the remaining secondary systems.
5 Claim 9
The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the
communication unit receives priority information for defining a priority of a
secondary system from another device, and the power allocation unit uses a weight
depending on the priority to weight transmission power to be allocated to each
10 secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system.
Claim 10
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein when a
new secondary system starts to operate, the power allocation unit requests a
15 secondary system having excess transmission power among existing secondary
systems to reduce transmission power.
Claim 11
The communication control device according to claim 3, wherein the
20 determination unit determines a position of a reference point of the primary system
when estimating the interference amount to the primary system by use of information
received from a data server in the primary system.
Claim 12
25 The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit determines transmission power allocation based on the acceptable
interference amount of the primary system, and a path loss depending on a distance
between the primary system and each secondary system, and the distance between
the primary system and each secondary system is a minimum distance between the
30 position of each secondary system and an outer periphery of a service area of the
primary system or a node of the primary system.
SP311250WO00
63/67
Claim 13
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit determines transmission power allocation based on the acceptable
5 interference amount of the primary system, and a path loss depending on a distance
between the primary system and each secondary system, and the distance between
the primary system and each secondary system is a distance between the position of
each secondary system and a certain point on an outer periphery of a service area of
the primary system or within the outer periphery.
10
Claim 14
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit ignores a secondary system for which a distance from the primary
system or a path loss depending on the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold
15 when calculating transmission power allocation.
Claim 15
The communication control device according to claim 14, wherein the
threshold is set per frequency channel.
20
Claim 16
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit notifies a power allocation result to a secondary communication node
in response to a request from the secondary communication node received by the
25 communication unit.
Claim 17
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit notifies a power allocation result to a secondary communication node
30 without depending on a request from the secondary communication node.
SP311250WO00
64/67
Claim 18
The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the power
allocation unit employs a margin for reducing an interference risk upon transmission
power allocation, and the communication control device further comprises a margin
5 setting unit configured to set the margin based on the number of secondary systems
or secondary communication nodes in operation or the maximum number of operable
secondary systems or secondary communication nodes per frequency channel.
Claim 19
10 The communication control device according to claim 18, wherein the
margin setting unit sets a margin per frequency channel such that the margin of a
frequency channel at the center of a band is relatively larger than the margins of
frequency channels at the ends.
15 Claim 20
A communication control method using a communication control device for
making communication with one or more secondary communication nodes operating
a secondary system by use of at least one of a frequency channel allocated to a
primary system and a frequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel,
20 comprising:
determining an upper limit number of secondary systems or secondary
communication nodes to be allocated with transmission power; and
allocating transmission power to each secondary system or each secondary
communication node in each secondary system based on the determined upper limit
25 number and the acceptable interference amount of the primary system.
Claim 21
A communication device operating a secondary system by use of at least
one of a frequency channel allocated to a primary system or a frequency channel
30 adjacent to the frequency channel, comprising:
a communication unit configured to receive a transmission power allocation
SP311250WO00
65/67
result from a communication control device configured to allocate transmission
power to each secondary system or each secondary communication node in each
secondary system based on an upper limit number of secondary systems or secondary
communication nodes to be allocated with transmission power and the acceptable
5 interference amount of the primary system; and
a control unit configured to restrict transmission power for communication
with another secondary communication node based on the transmission power
allocation result received by the communication unit.
10 Claim 22
A communication method by a communication device operating a secondary
system by use of at least one of a frequency channel allocated to a primary system
and a frequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel, comprising:
receiving a transmission power allocation result from a communication
15 control device configured to allocate transmission power to each secondary system or
each secondary communication node in each secondary system based on an upper
limit number of secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be
allocated with transmission power, and the acceptable interference amount of the
primary system; and
20 restricting transmission power for communication with another secondary
communication node based on the transmission power allocation result.
Claim 23
A communication system including one or more secondary communication
25 nodes operating a secondary system by use of at least one of a frequency channel
allocated to a primary system and a frequency channel adjacent to the frequency
channel, and a communication control device configured to control communication
with the one or more secondary communication nodes,
wherein the communication control device comprises:
30 a communication unit configured to communicate with the one or more
secondary communication nodes;
SP311250WO00
66/67
#
a determination unit configured to determine an upper limit number of
secondary systems or secondary communication nodes to be allocated with
transmission power; and
a power allocation unit configured to allocate transmission power to each
5 secondary system or each secondary communication node in each secondary system
based on the determined upper limit number and the acceptable interference amount
of the primary system, and
each of the one or more secondary communication nodes comprises:
a communication unit configured to receive a transmission power allocation
10 result from the communication control device; and
a control unit configured to restrict transmission power for communication
with another secondary communication node based on the received transmission
power allocation result.
15