Description
Title of Invention COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE, COMMUNICATION CONTROL 5 METHOD, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Technical Field [0001]
The present invention relates to a communication control device, a 10 communication control method, a communication system and a communication device.
Background Art [0002]
15 Recently, discussions for enabling a primarily used frequency band
(spectrum) to be used in a second communication service according to the use condition of the frequency band have been in progress. For example, a standard specification for allowing an unused channel (TV white space) included in the frequency band of US digital TV broadcasting to be available for radio
20 communication is under examination in IEEE802.22 working group (see Non-Patent Literature 1 below). [0003]
According to a recommendation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on November 2008, the discussions have been directed toward
25 permitting secondary usage of the TV white space by using a communication device that fiilfills a predetermined condition and has received an authentication. This recommendation of FCC accepts the standard specification of IEEE802.22, which is the first standardization of secondary usage of the TV white space, and also covers the activities of a new study group in IEEE. Technically, since it is necessary to
30 perform signal detection at a level of-114 [dBm] (SNR is about -19 [dB] when Noise Figure (NF) is 11 [dB], for example) using existing technology for example, an

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auxiliary function such as Geo-location Database Access is expected to be necessary (see Non-Patent Literature 2 below). Also, FCC is under examination for opening a 250-MHz band, which is a part of a 5-GHz band, as a new charmel for secondary usage. 5 [0004]
Furthermore, in the EU, there are moves afoot to universally allocate a dedicated control channel referred to as Cognitive Pilot Channel (CPC) for implementing Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) under a long-term strategy. Allocation of CPC has been incorporated in the agenda of International
10 Telecommunication Union (ITU)-WPll in 2011. Technological studies for a secondary usage system that performs DSA are also under way in the IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee (SCC) 41. [0005]
In general, when a frequency band assigned to a communication service
15 related to primary usage (will be referred to as a first communication service below) is secondarily used, it is important that a communication service related to secondary usage (will be referred to as a second communication service below) not interfere with the first communication service. For this reason, Non-Patent Literature 2 below recommends installation of a data server that receives administrator
20 information, location information, and the like from a secondary usage node which will provide a second communication service and accumulates these pieces of information in a database. In this case, the data server specifies a channel that can be provided for secondary usage according to a request fi-om the secondary usage node, and notifies the secondary usage node of the specified channel. When the
25 secondary usage node uses the channel notified in this way by the data server, interference v^th a first communication service is prevented.
Citation List Non-Patent Literature 30 [0006]
Non-Patent Literature 1: "IEEE802.22 WG on WRANs," [online].

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#
[searched July 1st, 2010], hitemet
Non-Patent Literature 2: "SECOND REPORT AND ORDER AND MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER," [online], [searched July 1st, 2010], Internet
Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a communication system related to one embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, a primary usage node 10, secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, a data server 40, and a communication control 25 device 100 are shown. [0028]
The primary usage node 10 is a node that transmits/receives radio signals
for a first communication service using a frequency band which has been assigned in
advance. However, the primary usage node 10 does not necessarily use the
30 assigned whole frequency band. In the example of Fig. 1, a fi"equency band
including channels Fl, F2 and F3 has been assigned, but the primary usage node 10

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is using only the channel Fl among them. The first communication service may be an arbitrary communication service including, for example, a digital TV broadcasting service, a satellite communication service, a mobile communication service, or the like. In addition, for example, when the first communication service is a mobile 5 communication service, the primary usage node 10 can correspond to a base station. [0029]
A boundary BOl shown in Fig. 1 is an external boundary of a service area of the first communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. A terminal device (not shown) that is located within the boundary BOl can receive the first
10 communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. A boundary B02 is an external boundary of a guide area set around the service area of the first communication service. The guide area is a buffer area set between the service area of the first commvmication service and a so-called white space. Since there is the guide area, even when a fi-equency band is secondarily used in the white space, a
15 probability that a problem such as interference will occur in the terminal device located in the service area is reduced. [0030]
Between the boundary B02 and a boundary BOS, the so-called white space is present. In the example of Fig. 1, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b are
20 located in the white space. Each of the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b is a communication device that provides a second communication service using a part of the frequency band assigned to the first communication service. In the following description of this specification, when there is no particular necessity to distinguish the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b from each other, letters at the ends of the
25 symbols are omitted, and the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b will be generally referred to as secondary usage nodes 20. [0031]
A secondary usage node 20 determines whether or not secondary usage is available according to a predetermined spectrum policy, receives a channel provided
30 by the data server 40, and then provides a second communication service to terminal devices (not shown) located around it. Without being limited to the example of Fig.

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1, the secondary usage node 20 may be located in the service area of the first communication service or around the service area. For example, in order to cover a spectrum hole that is generated in the service area due to the influence of shadowing (shielding), fading, or the like, a secondary usage node may be installed in the 5 service area of the first communication service. [0032]
The second communication service typically denotes an additional or substitutionary communication service that is provided using a part or the whole of a frequency band assigned to the first communication service. In the meaning of the
10 term "secondary usage," the first communication service and the second communication service may be communication services of different types or services of the same type. Communication services of different types denote communication services of two or more different types that can be selected from arbitrary communication services, for example, a digital TV broadcasting service, a
15 satellite communication service, a mobile communication service, a wireless LAN access service, a Peer-To-Peer (P2P) connection service, and the like. On the other hand, services of the same type can include a relationship between a service based on a macro-cell provided by a communication provider, for example, of a mobile communication service, and a service based on a femto-cell managed by a user or a
20 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). In addition, services of the same type can also include a relationship between a service provided by a base station of a communication service according to WiMAX, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), or the like and a service provided by a relay station (relay node) to cover a spectrum hole. Also, the second communication service may be a service
25 that uses a plurality of fragmentary frequency bands aggregated using spectrum aggregation technology. Furthermore, the second communication service may be a supplementary communication service that is provided by a femto-cell group, a relay station group, or a small or medium-sized base station group, which provides a smaller service area than a base station, present within a service area of the base
30 station. The outline of each embodiment described in this specification is widely applicable to every type of mode of such secondary usages.

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[0033]
The data server 40 has a database that receives node information including administrator information, location information, and the like from the secondary usage node 20 and accumulates the received node information. The data server 40 5 can be connected with the primary usage node 10 and the secondary usage node 20 via, for example, the Internet, a backbone network of the first communication service, or the like. The data server 40 accumulates the aforementioned node information received from the secondary usage node 20. Also, according to a request from the secondary usage node 20, the data server 40 provides information, for example, a
10 channel that can be provided for secondary usage, maximum transmission power, a spectrum mask, and the like to the secondary usage node 20. In this way, the secondary usage node 20 becomes able to start the second communication service. [0034]
Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a process
15 between the secondary usage node 20 and the data server 40 exemplified in Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 2, the secondary usage node 20 that will secondarily use a frequency band assigned to the first communication service transmits node information to the data server 40 first, thereby requesting registration of the node information (step S02). Then, the data server 40 registers the node information
20 received from the secondary usage node 20 in a database (step S04). [0035]
Here, the node information registered in the database includes, for example, the following information:
• Regulation ID: an ID given when a node is authenticated as a device that can be
25 used for secondary usage. The regulation ID can be included in node information in
the case of secondary usage of a TV white space.
• Manufacturer ID: an ID of a manufacturer of the device.
• Location Data: indicates a location of the device that is dynamically measured
using a positioning means such as GPS, or kept stationary.
30 • Antenna Height: a height of an anterma of the device. For example, Height Above Average Terrain of the tx (HAAT) can be used.

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• Administrator Information: includes a device owner's name, address, mail address,
and the like.
[0036]
Next, the data server 40 transmits an acknowledgement signal 5 (confirmation) confirming that registration of the node information has been finished to the secondary usage node 20 (step S06). Next, the secondary usage node 20 requests permission for secondary usage from the data server 40 (step SOS). Then, the data server 40 determines, for example, a channel that can be provided to the secondary usage node 20 (for example, an unused part of a frequency band assigned
10 to the first communication service), and permits secondary usage to the secondary usage node 20 when there is a providable channel (step SIO). Here, channels that can be provided to the secondary usage node 20 can be classified as restricted channels that are limited to a lower transmission power, which can be used by the secondary usage node 20, than a general transmission power, and normal channels
15 that are not limited by such a limitation. When a normal channel can be provided, the data server 40 may preferentially provide the normal channel to the secondary usage node 20. For example, when an adjacent channel of a chaimel is not used by the first communication service in the case of a so-called Personal/Portable Mode-I client in an FCC standard, a maximum transmission power of 100 m[W] is permitted.
20 Such a channel can be treated as a common channel. Meanwhile, when an adjacent channel of a channel is used by the first communication service, a maximum transmission power is limited to 40 m[W]. Such a chaimel can be treated as a restricted chaimel. [0037]
25 In step SIO, the data server 40 provides the secondary usage node 20 with,
for example, the following information:
• Maximum Transmission Power: a maximum of transmission power at which the
secondary usage node 20 is allowed to perform radiation.
• Permissible Channel Information: a list of channel numbers specifying channels
30 that can be provided to the secondary usage node 20. The frequency band assigned
to the first communication service can be divided into a plurality of channels in

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advance, and channel numbers can be given to the respective channels. Instead of the channel numbers, center frequencies of the channels may be used. The permissible channel information can also include information indicating channel-specific channel categories (v^hether a channel is a normal channel or a restricted 5 channel, and the like).
• Regulatory Information: can include rules for secondary usage such as a spectrum mask.
In this specification, these pieces of information that are provided from the data server 40 to the secondary usage node 20 are referred to as grant information. 10 [0038]
After these steps, the secondary usage node 20 can start secondary usage of the frequency band assigned to the first communication service. [0039]
The communication control device 100 is a communication device that
15 controls communication of one or more secondary usage nodes 20. Like the data
server 40, the communication control device 100 also can be connected with the
primary usage node 10 and the secondary usage nodes 20 via, for example, the
Internet, the backbone network of the first communication service, or the like. The
communication control device 100 may be physically the same device as the
20 database 40. As will be described in detail in the next chapter, the communication
control device 100 adjusts a configuration of radio access techniques, channels, and
the like of second communication services provided by the respective secondary
usage nodes 20 between the plurality of second communication services using node
information about the secondary usage nodes 20, information provided by the data
25 server 40, and the like.
[0040]
<2. Example of Configuration of Device Related to One Embodiment > [2-1. Example of Configuration of Communication Control Device] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the 30 communication control device 100 related to this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 3, the communication control device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage

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unit 120, an estimation unit 130, and a control unit 140. [0041]
(Communication Unit)
The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for the 5 communication control device 100 to communicate with the secondary usage nodes 20. In addition, the communication unit 110 may be able to communicate with the data server 40. In this embodiment, the communication vinit 110 receives a request for registration of secondary usage from, for example, each secondary usage node 20 to which secondary usage is permitted. 10 [0042]
The request for registration of secondary usage includes, for example, the following information:
• Regulation ID: information that can be registered as node information in a data
server.
15 • Manufacturer ID: information that can be registered as node information in a data server.
• Location Data: information that can be registered as node information in a data
server.
• Antenna Height: information that can be registered as node information in a data
20 server.
• Maximum Transmission Power: information that can be provided as grant information from a data server.
• Permissible Channel Information: information that can be provided as grant information from a data server.
25 • Regulatory Information: information that can be provided as grant information from a data server.
• Utilization Channel Information: a number of a channel that a secondary usage
node will use for a second communication service among channels included in a list
of permissible channel information.
30 • Access Technique Information: a list of access technique numbers indicating radio access techniques that can be used (and are currently in use) by a secondary usage

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node. The numbers can be given in advance according to each radio access technique such as IEEE802.11af, llg or lln, IEEE802.22, IEEE802.16, LTE, LTE-A, or the like. Instead of a list of access technique numbers, the access technique information may include a bit string, a code value, or the like that indicates whether 5 or not respective radio access techniques are supported. Also, the access technique information may include information indicating whether or not a protocol for coexistence of communication services, which will be described later, can be used. [0043]
In this embodiment, the communication control device 100 handles the
10 location data, the antenna height, and the maximum transmission power among these pieces of information as service area information for estimating a service area of a second communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20. The information mentioned here is merely an example. In other words, the request for registration of secondary usage that is transmitted from the secondary usage node 20
15 to the communication control device 100 may not include a part of the aforementioned information, or may further include additional information. Also, the communication control device 100 may acquire a part of the aforementioned information not from the secondary usage node 20 but from the data server 40. [0044]
20 The communication unit 110 stores information received from each
secondary usage node 20 in the storage unit 120. Also, the communication unit 110 receives an adjustment request from a secondary usage node 20 that requests an adjustment between second communication services. The adjustment request from the secondary usage node 20 is processed by the control unit 140 which will be
25 described later. [0045]
(Storage Unit)
The storage unit 120 is implemented using a storage medium, for example, a hard disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like. In this embodiment, the storage
30 unit 120 stores information included in the registration request that is received by the communication unit 110. Among the information stored in the storage unit 120, the

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service area information including the location data, the antenna height, and the maximum transmission power of the secondary usage node 20 can be used by the estimation unit 130, which will be described later, to estimate a service area. Also, the permissible chaimel information, the utilization channel information, and the 5 access technique information can be used for an adjustment between second communication services by the control unit 140 which will be described later. [0046]
(Estimation Unit)
The estimation unit 130 estimates a service area of the second
10 communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20 using the service area information stored by the storage unit 120, that is, the location data, the antenna height, and the maximum transmission power of the secondary usage node 20. For example, the estimation unit 130 approximates that the service area of the second service provided by the secondary usage node 20 is a circular area centered on the
15 location of the secondary usage node 20. [0047]
As methods for estimating a radius of a service area, two methods are considered. A first method is a method that is disclosed in "Method for point-to-area predictions for terrestrial services in the frequency range 30 mhz to 3000 mhz"
20 (International Telecommunications Commission (ITU), RECOMMENDATION ITU-R PI546-3, 2007) and uses a propagation path curve. In this case, a statistical curve (propagation path curve) that is based on an actual measurement value for deriving a communication distance (a distance at which communication is enabled with a predetermined location rate and a predetermined time rate) from an antenna height
25 and electric field intensity is stored in advance by the storage unit 120. The estimation unit 130 converts the maximum transmission power of the secondary usage node 20 into electric field intensity, and acquires a communication distance corresponding to the antenna height and electric field intensity of the secondary usage node 20 from the propagation path curve stored in the storage unit 120. This
30 communication distance becomes a radius of the service area of the second communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20.

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[0048]
A second method for estimating a radius of a service area is a method employing an evaluation formula in the urban model of Okumura-Hata curve (see "Digital Wireless Transmission Technology" (written by Seiichi Sampei, Pearson 5 Education Japan, pp. 16-19)). In this case, the estimation unit 130 calculates a maximum allowable path loss from the maximum transmission power of the secondary usage node 20 and a minimum reception sensitivity of a receiver. Then, the estimation unit 130 substitutes the calculated path loss and the antenna height in the evaluation formula, thereby calculating a communication distance. This
10 communication distance becomes a radius of the service area of the second communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20. [0049]
The estimation unit 130 causes the storage unit 120 to store a value that is estimated in this way and indicates a service area of a second communication service
15 of each secondary usage node 20 (for example, a center position and a radius of a circle). [0050]
(Control Unit)
The control unit 140 adjusts a configuration for secondary usage between
20 second communication services on the basis of a location relationship between service areas estimated by the estimation unit 130 and a radio access technique that can be used by the secondary usage nodes 20. The adjustment of a configuration for secondary usage between second communication services includes a recommendation about a radio access technique or a recommendation about a
25 channel to be used for at least one secondary usage node 20 in terms of, for example, increase in secondary usage opportimities, improvement in frequency use efficiency, or the like. In other words, the control unit 140 determines a radio access technique or a channel that is recommended to at least one secondary usage node 20 on the basis of a location relationship between service areas estimated by the estimation unit
30 130 and a radio access technique that can be used by the secondary usage nodes 20. Then, the control unit 140 notifies the secondary usage nodes 20 of the determined

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radio access technique or channel through the communication unit 110. According
to the notification, the secondary usage node 20 performs secondary usage using the
recommended new radio access technique or channel.
[0051]
5 [2-2. Example of Location Relationship Between Service Areas]
Location relationships between service areas based on which the control unit 140 makes an adjustment between second commimication services are classified into, for example, three classes (referred to as class A, class B, and class C) exemplified in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6.
10 [0052]
(Class A)
Referring to Fig. 4, an example of a location relationship between service areas that belongs to class A is shown. In Fig. 4, a service area All of the secondary usage node 20a and a service area A12 of the secondary usage node 20b
15 overlap. In addition, the secondary usage node 20b is included in the service area All of the secondary usage node 20a. Likewise, the secondary usage node 20a is included in the service area A12 of the secondary usage node 20b. In such a location relationship, radio waves transmitted by these adjacent secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b become mutual interference factors, and there is a probability that
20 a problem will occur in secondary usage. In addition, a case in which only one of the two secondary usage nodes 20 is included in a service area of the other may be included in class A. [0053]
For example, when service areas of two second communication services
25 have the location relationship of class A, the control unit 140 further determines whether or not there is a common radio access technique that can be used by the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b which provide the two second communication services respectively. For example, when the secondary usage node 20a can use radio access techniques Rl and R2, and the secondary usage node 20b can use the
30 radio access technique Rl, the radio access technique Rl is determined as a common radio access technique. When there is a common radio access technique as

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mentioned above, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use the common radio access technique and a common channel. In this way, for example, the communication services are caused to coexist, or a mesh network is formed between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, so that the 5 second communication services can be managed without interfering with each other. For example, lis in the IEEE802.22, Ecma392, and IEEE802.il families, 16j in the IEEE802.16 (WiMax) family, and the like support a mesh protocol or a protocol for exchanging scheduling information. Accordingly, communication services can coexist between communication services that employ these radio access techniques.
10 There is a case in which the IEEE802.il family supports a ftinction for acquiring resource usage information about an adjacent network through an access point or a terminal in a method such as beacon request using a public action frame, and the like. In this case also, communication services can coexist in the same way. Even if usable radio access techniques are different (not the same), when a combination of
15 the radio access techniques is a combination of which the radio access techniques can coexist, the control unit 140 can cause two communication services to coexist in a common channel. This is the same for the other classes that will be described below. When usable radio access techniques are different from each other and are not able to coexist, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage node
20 20a or 20b, which provides one second communication service, use a second channel that is different from a first channel used by the other second communication service. At this time, it is more preferable that the second channel not be adjacent to the first channel on the frequency axis because interference by out-of-band radiation is also prevented. In this way, it is possible to separately manage the second
25 communication service of the secondary usage node 20a and the second communication service of the secondary usage node 20b without them interfering with each other. [0054]
(Class B)
30 Referring to Fig. 5, an example of a location relationship between service
areas that belongs to class B is shown. In Fig. 5, the service area All of the

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secondary usage node 20a and the service area A12 of the secondary usage node 20b overlap. However, the secondary usage node 20b is not included in the service area All of the secondary usage node 20a, and the secondary usage node 20a is not included in the service area A12 of the secondary usage node 20b. In such a 5 location relationship, radio waves interfere with a terminal device 22a located in the overlapping area, and there is a probability that a partial problem will occur in secondary usage. [0055]
For example, when service areas of two second communication services
10 have the location relationship of class B, the control unit 140 further determines whether or not there is a common radio access technique that can be used by the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b which provide the two second communication services respectively. When there is a common usable radio access technique, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use the
15 common radio access technique and a common channel. In this way, like in the case of class A, it is possible to manage the second communication services without them interfering with each other. However, in the case of class B, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b are not able to directly receive signals transmitted by the counterparts. For this reason, in this case, the control unit 140 causes the
20 communication unit 110 to transmit a synchronization signal to the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, thereby supporting coexistence of the communication services or formation of a mesh network. Like in the case of class A, when usable radio access techniques are different and are not able to coexist, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage node 20a or 20b, which provides one second
25 communication service, use a channel (suitably, non-adjacent channel) that is different from a channel used by the other second communication service [0056]
(Class C)
Referring to Fig. 6, an example of a location relationship between service
30 areas that belongs to class C is shown. In Fig. 6, the service area All of the secondary usage node 20a and the service area A12 of the secondary usage node 20b

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do not overlap. In such a location relationship, the control unit 140 recommends, for example, that the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, which provide two second communication services respectively, use a common channel irrespective of usable radio access techniques. In this way, it is possible to increase a selection of 5 channels for a secondary usage node 20 that provides another second communication service (not shown). However, in class C also, when mutual interference between nodes of two second communication services (for example, interference between nodes located in external boundary portions of two service areas) exceeds an allowable level, the control unit 140 may perform control for sharing communication
10 resources, like in class A and class B described above. [0057]
In addition, the control unit 140 selects, for example, a channel to be recommended to each secondary usage node 20 from among channels indicated by permissible channel information received fi-om the secondary usage node 20. This
15 means that an adjustment between second communication services by the communication control device 100 can be performed within the range of regulation for secondary usage (legal regulation of each country, regulation determined between service providers, or the like). Accordingly, even when the secondary usage node 20 receives a notification from the communication control device 100 and changes a
20 channel, there is no risk of interfering with the first communication service or other communication services that can be managed around the secondary usage node 20. [0058]
[2-3. Example of Configuration of Secondary Usage Node]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the
25 secondary usage node 20 related to this embodiment. The secondary usage node 20 may be a communication device that provides an arbitrary second communication service, for example, a small or medium-sized base station, a wireless relay station, a radio access point, or the like. Thus, there is a probability that the secondary usage node 20 will have a variety of components according to its role. However, in Fig. 7,
30 only components that are directly related to this embodiment are shovra. Referring to Fig. 7, the secondary usage node 20 includes a first communication unit 210, a

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second communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a secondary usage control
unit 240.
[0059]
(First Communication Unit)
5 The first communication unit 210 is a communication interface for the
secondary usage node 20 to communicate with the data server 40 and the communication control device 100. For example, according to control of the secondary usage control unit 240, the first communication unit 210 transmits a request for registration of the node information, which has been described with
10 reference to Fig. 2, to the data server 40 and receives a registration acknowledgement of the node information. Also, for example, according to control of the secondary usage control unit 240, the first communication unit 210 transmits a request for secondary usage permission to the data server 40 and receives grant information including a response from the data server 40. Further, the first communication unit
15 210 transmits a request for an adjustment between second communication services, which will be described in detail later, to the communication control device 100, and receives information about a recommended service configuration that is transmitted as a result of the adjustment from the communication control device 100. [0060]
20 (Second Communication Unit)
The second communication unit 220 is a communication interface for the secondary usage node 20 to provide a second communication service to terminal devices around it. A radio access technique supported by the second communication unit 220 may be an arbitrary method such as IEEE802.11af, llg or
25 lln, IEEE802.22, LTE, LTE-A, or the like. Access technique information that indicates the radio access technique supported by the second communication unit 220 is stored in advance in the storage unit 230. [0061]
(Storage Unit)
30 The storage unit 230 is implemented using a storage medium, for example, a
hard disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like. In this embodiment, the storage

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unit 230 stores in advance the aforementioned node information that the secondary usage node 20 registers in the data server 40. Also, the storage unit 230 stores the aforementioned access technique information in advance. When the aforementioned grant information is provided from the data server 40, the storage 5 unit 230 stores the grant information. Further, the secondary usage node 20 stores, as utilization chaimel information, a number of a channel that the secondary usage control unit 240 will use for the second communication service. [0062]
(Secondary Usage Control Unit)
10 The secondary usage control unit 240 controls a series of processes for
secondary usage of a frequency band by the secondary usage node 20. For example, the secondary usage control unit 240 performs a process with the data server 40 exemplified in Fig. 2 through the first communication unit 210. Also, the secondary usage control unit 240 determines the necessity for an adjustment between
15 second communication services, and transmits an adjustment request to the commimication control device 100 when the adjustment is necessary. The case in which the adjustment between second communication services is necessary can include, for example, a case in which secondary usage is started according to permission from the data server 40, but it is not possible to obtain communication
20 quality as expected due to interference between the second communication services. The case in which the adjustment between second communication services is necessary can also include, for example, a case in which it is preferable to expand a service area in order to cause a non-connected terminal device to participate in a second communication service. The case in which the adjustment between second
25 communication services is necessary can fiirther include, for example, a case in which it is preferable to extend a band by adding a channel. An example of a process after the secondary usage control unit 240 transmits the adjustment request will be described in detail in the next chapter. Without receiving the adjustment request from the secondary usage node 20, the communication control device 100
30 may voluntarily make the adjustment between the second communication services in order to improve efficiency in frequency usage.

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[0063]
<3. Flow of Process Related to One Embodiment>
Next, with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. IOC, description will be made regarding the flow of a communication control process between the communication 5 control device 100 and the plurality of secondary usage nodes 20 related to this embodiment. [0064]
[3-1. Communication Control Process]
Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a 10 communication control process between the communication control device 100 and the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b related to this embodiment. It is assumed that node information has been registered in the data server 40 by the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b before the process of Fig. 8, and permission for secondary usage has already been given to the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b. 15 [0065]
Referring to Fig. 8, first, the secondary usage node 20b requests the communication control device 100 to register secondary usage (step SI02). As mentioned above, a registration request transmitted from the secondary usage node 20b includes service area information for estimating a service area of a second 20 communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20b, access technique information, and the like. Then, the communication control device 100 stores the information received from the secondary usage node 20b in the storage unit 120 (step SI04). The communication control device 100 transmits an acknowledgement signal (confirmation) confirming that the registration has been finished to the 25 secondary usage node 20b (step S106). [0066]
The secondary usage node 20a requests registration of secondary usage
fi-om the communication control device 100 (step SI08). The registration request
transmitted from the secondary usage node 20a likewise includes service area
30 information, access technique information, and the like. Then, the communication
control device 100 stores the information received from the secondary usage node

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20a in the storage unit 120 (step SI 10). The communication control device 100
transmits an acknowledgement signal (confirmation) confirming that the registration
has been finished to the secondary usage node 20a (step SI 12).
[0067]
5 Subsequently, the estimation unit 130 of the communication control device
100 estimates service areas of respective second communication services using the service area information that has been received from the respective secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b (step SI 14). Here, the service area estimation process by the estimation unit 130 may be performed after there is a request for an adjustment
10 between the second communication services in step S116. [0068]
Next, when the necessity for an adjustment between the second communication services is recognized, the secondary usage node 20a requests the adjustment between the second communication services from the communication
15 control device 100 (step SI 16). Here, the secondary usage node may not request the adjustment between the second communication services from the communication control device 100, but rather, the communication control device 100 may voluntarily start the adjustment between the second communication services. Subsequently, the communication control device 100 determines a configuration of
20 the second communication services to be recommended to the secondary usage node 20a or another secondary usage node 20 (step SI 18). In the example of Fig. 8, the other secondary usage node 20 corresponds to the secondary usage node 20b. The communication control device 100 notifies at least one of the secondary usage node 20a and the secondary usage node 20b of the recommended service configuration
25 (that is, a radio access technique to be used, a channel to be used, or the like) (step SI 20). [0069]
[3-2. Service Area Determination Process]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a service area
30 estimation process by the communication control device 100 in step SI 14 of Fig. 8. [0070]

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Referring to Fig. 9, first, the estimation unit 130 of the communication control device 100 acquires a location, a maximum transmission power, and an antenna height of the secondary usage node 20 stored in the storage unit 120 (step SI32). Next, the estimation unit 130 calculates a radius of a service area of a 5 second communication service using the maximum transmission power and the antenna height of the secondary usage node 20 (step SI34). The estimation unit 130 estimates that a circular area which has the radius calculated in step SI34 centered on the location of the secondary usage node 20 is the service area of the second communication service provided by the secondary usage node 20 (step SI36).
10 When it is possible to acquire additional information, for example, data about the antenna directivity of the secondary usage node 20, data of the surrounding terrain, or the like, the estimation unit 130 may estimate a service area in an oval shape or a more complex shape according to terrain, rather than a circular shape. [0071]
15 [3-3. Process of Determining Recommended Service Configuration]
Fig. lOA to Fig. IOC are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of a process of determining a recommended service configuration by the communication control device 100 in step S118 of Fig. 8. [0072]
20 Referring to Fig. lOA, first, the control unit 140 of the communication
control device 100 determines whether or not the service areas of the two second communication services provided by the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b overlap (step SI51). Whether or not the service areas overlap may be determined on the basis of, for example, whether or not the sum of radii of the two service areas is less
25 than the distance between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b. Here, when it is determined that the service areas do not overlap, the process proceeds to step S170 of Fig. IOC. On the other hand, when it is determined that the service areas overlap, the process proceeds to step SI52. [0073]
30 When the process proceeds to step S152, a location relationship between the
service areas of the two second communication services belongs to any one of class

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A and class B shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In this case, the control unit 140 determines whether or not there is a common radio access technique that can be used by the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b (step SI52). Here, when it is determined that there is no common usable radio access technique, the process 5 proceeds to step SI61 of Fig. lOB. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a common usable radio access technique, the process proceeds to step SI53. [0074]
In step SI53, the control unit 140 determines whether or not a trigger for the ongoing process of determining a recommended service configuration is a secondary
10 usage node (step SI53). For example, when the communication control device 100 has received a request for an adjustment between second communication services from the secondary usage node 20a and thus the process of determining a recommended service configuration has been started, it is determined that the trigger for the process of determining a recommended service configuration is a secondary
15 usage node. In this case, the process proceeds to step SI61 of Fig. lOB. On the other hand, when the communication control device 100 has actively started the process of determining a recommended service configuration, the trigger for the process is not a secondary usage node, and thus the process proceeds to step SI54. [0075]
20 In step SI54, the control unit 140 determines whether or not radio access
techniques that are currently being used by the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b are the same (step SI54). Here, when it is determined that the radio access techniques that are currently being used are the same, the process proceeds to step SI61 of Fig. lOB. On the other hand, when it is determined that the radio access
25 techniques that are currently being used are not the same, the process proceeds to step SI55. [0076]
In step SI55, the control unit 140 determines whether or not the common radio access techniques that are currently being used by the two secondary usage
30 nodes 20a and 20b operate validly (that is, in parallel without causing a problem) (step SI55). For example, when radio access techniques in which it is difficult to

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manage two systems in parallel are used in the situation in which the service areas overlap, the control unit 140 can determine that the common radio access techniques do not validly operate. In this case, the process proceeds to step SI73 of Fig. IOC. On the other hand, when it is determined that the common radio access techniques 5 validly operate, the process proceeds to step SI56. [0077]
When the process proceeds to step SI56, the control unit 140 recommends that the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use the common usable radio access techniques and a common channel (step SI56). Here, when there are a normal
10 channel whose transmission power has no limitation and a restricted channel whose transmission power has a limitation as recommendable channels, the control unit 140 may preferentially recommend use of the normal channel. Also, the control unit 140 determines whether or not it is necessary to supply a synchronization signal to the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b (step SI57). For example, when one
15 secondary usage node 20 is not included in a service area of the other secondary usage node 20, the location relationship between the service areas of the two second communication services corresponds to class B. In this case, when it is not possible to use a mesh protocol stack, for example, Ecma392 and the like, it is necessary to assist with synchronization between the communication services. In the case of
20 class A and the like also, when clock deviation is large like in the IEEE802.11 family, it is preferable to assist with synchronization between the communication services. In such a situation, the control unit 140 can determine that it is necessary to supply a synchronization signal to the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b. [0078]
25 When it is determined in step SI57 that it is necessary to supply a
synchronization signal, the control unit 140 supplies a synchronization signal to the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b through the communication unit 110 (step SI58). On the other hand, when it is determined in step SI57 that it is unnecessary to supply a synchronization signal, the communication control device 100 does not
30 supply a synchronization signal to these nodes. [0079]

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In step SI61 of Fig. lOB, the control unit 140 determines whether or not there is a combination of radio access techniques that can be used by the two secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b and can also coexist with each other on a common channel in an overlapping service area (step SI61). For example, in a 5 frame format of the standard specification of IEEE802.22, a "Coexistence Beacon Period" for exchanging information between a plurality of communication services is installed. The secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b form a mesh network by exchanging scheduling information, path information, or the like using, for example, the "Coexistence Beacon Period," or exchange control information so that timings of
10 scheduling do not overlap, and thereby can cause the two communication services to coexist. When it is determined that there is a combination of radio access techniques that can coexist, the control unit 140 recommends use of the radio access techniques and a common channel (step S162). On the other hand, when there is no combination of radio access techniques that can coexist, the process proceeds to step
15 S163. [0080]
In step SI63, the control unit 140 determines whether or not it is possible to assign different channels to the two second communication services (step SI63). Here, when it is possible to assign different chaimels to the two second
20 communication services, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use the different channels (step SI64). For example, when permissible channel information from the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b include the channels Fl and F2 in common, the channel Fl can be recommended to the secondary usage node 20a, and the channel F2 can be recommended to the
25 secondary usage node 20b. On the other hand, when it is not possible to assign different channels to the two second communication services, the process proceeds to step SI65. [0081]
In step SI65, the control unit 140 determines whether or not sharing of
30 communication resources becomes possible by supporting sharing of the communication resources of the two second communication services (step SI65).

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For example, when it is possible to cause the two communication services to coexist in a time division method by supplying a synchronization signal to the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, it can be determined that sharing of the communication resources is possible. In this case, the process proceeds to step SI67. On the other 5 hand, when it is determined that sharing of the communication resources is not possible, the process proceeds to step SI66. In step SI66, since no recommendable combination is found, the control unit 140 notifies the secondary usage node 20a that no recommendable combination is found. [0082]
10 When the process proceeds to step SI67, the location relationship between
the service areas of the two secondary communication services belongs to class A or class B. Also, the communication resources can be shared. Such a combination of radio access techniques includes, for example, a combination of OFDMA and CSMA. In this case, the control unit 140 recommends use of different radio access techniques
15 and a common channel (step SI67). Subsequently, the control unit 140 causes exchange of information that specifies a range of the sharable communication resources between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and supplies a synchronization signal to the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, thereby causing the two communication services that employ the different radio access techniques to
20 coexist. [0083]
When the process proceeds to step SI 70 of Fig. 10, the location relationship between the service areas of the two secondary communication services belongs to class C shovm in Fig. 6. In this case, the control unit 140 determines whether or not
25 a trigger for the ongoing process of determining a recommended service configuration is a secondary usage node (step SI70). Here, when the trigger for the process of determining a recommended service configuration is a secondary usage node, the process proceeds to step SI72. On the other hand, when the trigger for the process of determining a recommended service configuration is not a secondary
30 usage node, the process proceeds to step SI71. In step SI71, the control unit 140 determines whether or not mutual interference between the nodes of the two second

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communication services is an allowable level or less (step SI71). For example, the control unit 140 estimates an interference level between the two second communication services on the basis of transmission powers of the respective second communication services and path loss according to the distance between the nodes. 5 At this time, a margin for absorbing an estimation error may be included in the estimation result of the interference level. Also, the control unit 140 compares the estimated interference level with the allowable interference level according to necessary communication quality (a minimum SINR and the like) of each secondary communication service. On the basis of the results, the control unit 140 can
10 determine whether or not mutual interference between the nodes is the allowable level. Alternatively, a node of a second communication service may measure an actual interference level, and the communication control device 100 may receive the measurement result for comparison with the allowable interference level. Also, a node of a second communication service may report a result of comparison between
15 an actual interference level and the allowable interference level to the communication control device 100. Here, when the mutual interference between the nodes of the two second communication services does not exceed the allowable level, the process proceeds to step S172. In step S172, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use a common channel
20 irrespective of radio access techniques. On the other hand, when the mutual interference between the nodes of the two second communication services exceeds the allowable level, the process proceeds to step SI73. [0084]
In step SI73, the control unit 140 determines whether or not it is possible to
25 assign different channels to the two second communication services (step SI73). Here, when it is possible to assign different channels to the two second communication services, the control unit 140 recommends that the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b use the different channels (step SI74). On the other hand, when it is not possible to assign different channels to the two second communication
30 services, the process proceeds to step S175 [0085]

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In step SI75, the control unit 140 determines whether or not sharing of communication resources becomes possible by supporting sharing of the communication resources of the two second communication services (step SI75). Here, when it is determined that sharing of the communication resources is possible, 5 the process proceeds to step SI77. On the other hand, when it is determined that sharing of the communication resources is not possible, the process proceeds to step SI76. In step SI76, since no recommendable combination is found, the control unit 140 notifies the secondary usage node 20a that no recommendable combination is found.
10 [0086]
In step SI77, the control unit l40 recommends use of different radio access techniques and a common channel (step SI77). Subsequently, the control unit 140 causes exchange of information that specifies a range of the sharable communication resources between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and supplies a
15 synchronization signal to the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, thereby causing the two communication services to coexist by, for example, the time division method. [0087]
The flow of the process of determining a recommended service configuration by the communication control device 100 is not limited to the example
20 shown in Fig. lOA to Fig. IOC. In other words, some process steps shown in Fig. lOA to Fig. IOC may be omitted or integrated, or an additional step may be added. Also, the sequence of process steps may be changed. Here, an example in which the communication control device 100 adjusts a service configuration between two communication services has been mainly described. However, this embodiment can
25 also be applied to the case of an adjustment among three or more communication services in the same way. [0088]
When there are a normal channel and a restricted channel as recommendable channels in steps SI56, SI62, SI64, SI67, SI72, SI74, SI77, and the like shown in
30 Fig. lOA to Fig. IOC, the normal charmel can be preferentially recommended. According to such a configuration, it is possible to keep throughput of each second

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communication service high while increasing efficiency in frequency usage by an
adjustment between second communication services.
[0089]
<4. Typical Scenarios for Communication Control >
5 The above-described adjustment between second commvmication services
by the communication control device 100 is useful for a variety of scenarios. By way of example, five scenarios will be described below. [0090]
[4-1. First Scenario]
10 Fig. 11A and Fig. 1 IB are explanatory diagrams illustrating a first scenario
of a communication control process. Referring to Fig. 11 A, the primary usage node 10, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and the communication control device 100 are shown. [0091]
15 A frequency band including the channels Fl, F2 and F3 is assigned to a first
communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. Among these channels, the primary usage node 10 is using the channel Fl. On the other hand, the channels F2 and F3 are not being used. [0092]
20 The secondary usage node 20a receives permission fi-om a data server,
which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using the radio access technique Rl. Also, the secondary usage node 20b receives permission from the data server, which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the chaimel F2 using the radio access technique (RAT) R2.
25 However, in this case, the distance between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b is short, and thus a signal transmitted from, for example,'the secondary usage node 20b causes interference with the secondary usage node 20a. The secondary usage node 20a detects such interference, and reports that interference has occurred to the communication control device 100 (SIGla). This report denotes a request for an
30 adjustment between the second communication services. [0093]

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In this case, according to the process of determining a recommended service configuration exemplified in Fig. lOAto Fig. IOC, the communication control device 100 recommends a change in the channel that is being used by, for example, the secondary usage node 20a from F2 to F3 (SIGlb). In this way, the secondary usage 5 node 20a can change the channel for secondary usage with F3 to avoid interference and favorably continue secondary usage. [0094]
[4-2. Second Scenario]
Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a second
10 scenario of the communication control process. Referring to Fig. 12 A, the primary usage node 10, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and the communication control device 100 are shown again. [0095]
Like in the first scenario, even in this scenario, a frequency band including
15 the channels Fl, F2 and F3 is assigned to a first communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. Among these channels, the primary usage node 10 is using the channel Fl. On the other hand, particularly, the channel F2 is not being used. [0096]
20 The secondary usage node 20a receives permission from a data server,
which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using the radio access technique Rl. However, the secondary usage node 20a can use the radio access technique R2 in addition to the radio access technique Rl. Also, the secondary usage node 20b receives permission from the data server, which
25 is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using the radio access technique R2. However, in this case, the distance between the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b is short, and thus a signal transmitted from, for example, the secondary usage node 20b causes interference with the secondary usage node 20a. The secondary usage node 20a detects such interference, and reports that
30 interference has occurred to the communication control device 100 (SIG2a). [0097]

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In this case, according to the process of determining a recommended service configuration exemplified in Fig. lOAto Fig. IOC, the communication control device 100 recommends, for example, that the secondary usage node 20a switch the radio access technique from Rl to R2 (SIG2b). In this way, the secondary usage node 5 20a can form a mesh network using the same radio access technique R2 and the same channel F2 as the secondary usage node 20b to avoid interference and favorably continue secondary usage. [0098]
[4-3. Third Scenario]
10 Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a third scenario
of the communication control process. Referring to Fig. 13A, the primary usage node 10, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and the communication control device 100 are shown again. [0099]
15 Like in the previous scenarios, even in this scenario, a frequency band
including the channels Fl, F2 and F3 is assigned to a first communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. Among these channels, the primary usage node 10 is using the charmel Fl. On the other hand, the charmels F2 and F3 are not being used.
20 [0100]
The secondary usage node 20a receives permission from a data server, which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using the radio access technique R2. Also, the secondary usage node 20b receives permission fi-om the data server, which is not shown, and provides a second
25 communication service on the channel F3 using the radio access technique Rl. Here, the secondary usage node 20b can use the radio access technique R2 in addition to the radio access technique Rl. In this case, the channels that are used by the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b are different, and thus large interference does not occur between the two second communication services. However, for example,
30 the terminal device 22a that is located around the secondary usage node 20a and the terminal device 22b that is located around the secondary usage node 20b belong to

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the different communication services, and thus are not able to communicate with each other. For this reason, the secondary usage node 20a requests network expansion from the communication control device 100 according to the necessity for communication between these terminal devices (SIG3a). This request for network 5 expansion denotes a request for an adjustment between the second communication services. [0101]
In this case, according to the process of determining a recommended service configuration exemplified in Fig. lOAto Fig. IOC, the communication control device
10 100 recommends, for example, that the secondary usage node 20b switch the radio access technique from Rl to R2 and also use the channel F2 (SIG3b). Also, the communication control device 100 supplies a synchronization signal (SYNC) for synchronizing the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b. In this way, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b form a mesh network using the common radio access
15 technique R2 and the common channel F2. As a result, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b relay signals transmitted/received between the terminal devices 22a and 22b, and communication is enabled between the terminal devices 22a and 22b. [0102]
[4-4. Fourth Scenario]
20 Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a fourth
scenario of the communication control process. Referring to Fig. 14A, the primary usage node 10, secondary usage nodes 20a, 20b and 20c, and the communication control device 100 are shown. [0103]
25 Like in the previous scenarios, even in this scenario, a frequency band
including the channels Fl, F2 and F3 is assigned to a first communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. Among these channels, the primary usage node 10 is using the channel Fl. On the other hand, the channels F2 and F3 are not being used.
30 [0104]
The secondary usage node 20b receives permission from a data server,

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which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using a radio access technique R3. Also, the secondary usage node 20c receives permission from the data server, which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F3 using the radio access technique Rl. 5 [0105]
Furthermore, in this scenario, the secondary usage node 20a will receive permission from the data server, which is not shown, and provide a second communication service using the radio access technique R2. Permissible chaimel information allowed by the data server includes the channels F2 and F3. However,
10 even when the secondary usage node 20a uses any of the channels F2 and F3, it is not possible to start the second communication service due to interference caused by signals from the secondary usage nodes 20b and 20b located around it. For this reason, the secondary usage node 20a reports that interference has occurred to the communication control device 100 (SIG4a).
15 [0106]
In this case, according to the process of determining a recommended service configuration exemplified in Fig. lOAto Fig. IOC, the communication control device 100 recommends, for example, that the secondary usage node 20b use the channel F3 (SIG4b). This is because a location relationship between a service area A22 of the
20 secondary usage node 20b and a service area A23 of the secondary usage node 20c corresponds to class C described above, and the secondary usage node 20c is using the channel F3. Also, the communication control device 100 recommends, for example, that the secondary usage node 20a use the channel F2 (SIG4c). In this way, the secondary usage node 20a can avoid interference and start secondary usage
25 using the channel F2 that is different from the channels used by the secondary usage nodes 20b and 20c. [0107]
[4-5. Fifth Scenario]
Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a fifth scenario
30 of the communication control process. Referring to Fig. 15A, the primary usage node 10, the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b, and the communication control

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device 100 are shown. [0108]
In this scenario, a frequency band including channels Fl, F2, F3 and F4 is assigned to a first communication service provided by the primary usage node 10. 5 Among these channels, the primary usage node 10 is using the channel Fl. On the other hand, the channels F2, F3 and F4 are not being used. [0109]
The secondary usage node 20a receives permission from a data server, which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F3
10 using the radio access technique Rl. Also, the secondary usage node 20b receives permission from the data server, which is not shown, and provides a second communication service on the channel F2 using the radio access technique R2. In this case, the channels that are used by the secondary usage nodes 20a and 20b are different, and thus large interference does not occur between the two second
15 communication services. Here, it is assumed that, in the second communication service provided by, for example, the secondary usage node 20a, needs of an application for, for example, a high data rate have been generated. Thus, in order to extend a band of the second communication service and improve a data rate, the secondary usage node 20a requests addition of a channel from the communication
20 control device 100 (SIG5a). This request for addition of a channel denotes a request for an adjustment between the second communication services. [0110]
In this case, according to the process of determining a recommended service configuration exemplified in Fig. lOAto Fig. IOC, the communication control device
25 100 recommends, for example, that the secondary usage node 20a use the channels F3 and F4 that are not being used by the secondary usage node 20b (SIG5b). As a result, the secondary usage node 20a can provide the second communication service in a wider band than the previous band, that is, at a higher data rate than the previous data rate, using the channels F3 and F4.
30 [0111]
<5. Sunimarization>

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Thus far, one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 15B. In the above-described embodiment, the communication control device 100 recommends a radio access technique or a channel to be used to at least one secondary usage node on the basis of a location 5 relationship between service areas of two or more second communication services and radio access techniques that can be used by secondary usage nodes providing the second commimication services. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust a configuration for secondary usage between a plurality of second communication services. In particular, when a frequency band is secondarily used, there are many
10 cases in which it is not found in advance what kind of radio access technique each secondary usage node supports. Also, to give each secondary usage node a function for performing an adjustment between second communication services is not practical in terms of cost, and makes it difficult to ensure neutrality of the adjustment. Accordingly, provision of the neutral communication control device 100 that collects
15 information about each secondary usage node such as a radio access technique, and the like and performs an adjustment between second communication services is usefiil in terms of cost and also neutrality of the adjustment. [0112]
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the communication control
20 device 100 selects a channel that is recommended to each secondary usage node from among channels that are allowed for the secondary usage node to use. Accordingly, when the communication control device 100 performs an adjustment, there is no risk of interfering with a first communication service or other communication services that can be managed around the corresponding secondary usage node.
25 [0113]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when a secondary usage node detects interference between second communication services, a configuration of the second communication services can be changed to avoid the interference. When the secondary usage node requests expansion of a service area, the configuration of
30 the second communication services can be changed to expand the service area. When the secondary usage node requests expansion of a band, the band of a second

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communication service can be expanded without newly causing interference. In
this way, users' opportunities for secondary usage increase, and efficiency in
fi-equency usage improves.
[0114]
5 In addition, a control process of the communication control device 100 and
the secondary usage nodes 20 described in this specification can be implemented using software. Programs constituting the software that implements the aforementioned control process are contained in advance on a storage medium installed in or outside each device. Each program is read, for example, by a
10 Random Access Memory (RAM) upon execution and executed by a processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or the like. [0115]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the present invention is
15 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 present invention.
20 Reference Signs List
[0116]
10 Primary usage node
20 Secondary usage node
40 Data server
25 100 Communication control device
110 Communication unit (communication control device)
120 Storage unit (communication control device)
130 Estimation unit (communication control device)
140 Control unit (communication control device)
30 210 First communication unit (secondary usage node)
220 Second communication unit (secondary usage node)

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230 Storage unit (secondary usage node)
240 Secondary usage control unit (secondary usage node)

CLAIMS
Claim 1
A communication control device which controls communication of one or
more secondary usage nodes providing second communication services using a part
5 of a frequency band assigned to a first communication service, the communication
control device comprising:
a communication unit that receives service area information for estimating
service areas of the second communication services provided by the secondary usage
nodes and access technique information indicating radio access techniques usable by
10 the secondary usage nodes from the respective secondary usage nodes;
a storage unit that stores the service area information and the access
technique information received by the communication unit;
an estimation unit that estimates service areas of two or more second
communication services using the service area information; and
15 a control unit that notifies a secondary usage node providing at least one of
the two or more second communication services of a radio access technique or a
charmel recommended to the at least one second communication service on the basis
of a location relationship between the service areas estimated by the estimation unit
and the access technique information.
20
Claim 2
The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein the service area information includes data about a location of a
secondary usage node providing the corresponding second communication service, a
25 maximum transmission power applied to the secondary usage node, and an anteima
height of the secondary usage node.
Claim 3
The communication control device according to claim 1,
30 wherein the commimication unit further receives permissible charmel
information indicating a charmel that the secondary usage node is allowed to use
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from the secondary usage node, and
the control unit selects a channel recommended to each secondary usage
node from among channels indicated by the permissible channel information
received from the secondary usage node.
5
Claim 4
The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, when service areas of two second communication services overlap
and radio access techniques usable by two secondary usage nodes respectively
10 providing the two second communication services are the same, the control unit
recommends use of the same radio access technique.
Claim 5
The communication control device according to claim 4,
15 wherein, when one of the two second communication nodes is not included
in a service area of the other second commimication service, the control unit causes
the communication unit to transmit a synchronization signal to the two secondary
usage nodes.
20 Claim 6
The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, when service areas of two second communication services overlap
and radio access techniques usable by two secondary usage nodes respectively
providing the two second communication services are different, the control unit
25 recommends that a secondary usage node providing one of the second
communication services use a channel different from a channel used by the other
second commvinication service.
Claim 7
30 The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, when service areas of two second communication services do not
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overlap and a level of mutual interference between the two second communication
services does not exceed an allowable interference level, the control unit
recommends that two secondary usage nodes respectively providing the two second
commimication services use a common chaimel.
5
Claim 8
The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, according to a request from a secondary usage node detecting
interference between second communication services, the control unit notifies the
10 secondary usage node or another secondary usage node whose service area overlaps
a service area of the secondary usage node of a reconmiended radio access technique
or a recommended channel.
Claim 9
15 The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, according to a request from a secondary usage node requesting
expansion of a service area, the control unit notifies the secondary usage node or
another secondary usage node capable of using the same radio access technique as
the secondary usage node of a recommended radio access technique or a
20 recommended channel.
Claim 10
The communication control device according to claim 1,
wherein, according to a request from a secondary usage node requesting
25 expansion of a band, the control unit notifies the secondary usage node of a
recommended charmel.
Claim 11
The communication control device according to claim 1,
30 wherein, when there are a plurality of recommendable channels, the control
unit preferentially recommends a chaimel whose transmission power has no
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limitation.
Claim 12
A communication control method for controlling communication of one or
5 more secondary usage nodes providing second communication services using a part
of a frequency band assigned to a first communication service, the communication
control method comprising:
receiving service area information for estimating service areas of the second
communication services provided by the secondary usage nodes and access
10 technique information indicating radio access techniques usable by the secondary
usage nodes from the respective secondary usage nodes;
storing the received service area information and access technique
information;
estimating service areas of two or more second communication services
15 using the service area information; and
notifying a secondary usage node providing at least one of the two or more
second communication services of a radio access technique or a channel
recommended to the at least one second communication service on the basis of a
location relationship between the estimated service areas and the access technique
20 information.
Claim 13
A communication system which includes one or more secondary usage
nodes providing second communication services using a part of a frequency band
25 assigned to a first communication service and a commvmication control device
controlling communication of the one or more secondary usage nodes, wherein the
communication control device includes:
a communication unit that receives service area information for estimating
service areas of the second communication services provided by the secondary usage
30 nodes and access technique information indicating radio access techniques usable by
the secondary usage nodes from the respective secondary usage nodes;
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a storage unit that stores the service area information and the access
technique information received by the commimication unit; an estimation unit that
estimates service areas of two or more second communication services using the
service area information; and
5 a control unit that notifies a secondary usage node providing at least one of
the two or more second communication services of a radio access technique or< a
channel recommended to the at least one second communication service on the basis
. of a location relationship between the service areas estimated by the estimation unit
and the access technique information, and wherein each of the secondary usage
10 nodes includes: a commvinication unit that transmits the service area information
and the access technique information to the communication control device; and a
secondary usage control unit that provides a second communication service to one or
more terminal devices using the radio access technique or the channel recommended
I
by the communication control device.
15
Claim 14
A communication device which provides a second communication service
using a part of a frequency band assigned to a first communication service, the
commimication device comprising: a communication vmit that transmits service area
20 information for estimating a service area of the second communication service
provided by the cogymjiiication device and access technique information indicating a
radio access technique usable by the compiunication device to another device; and
a secondary usage control imit that provides the second communication
service to one or more terminal devices using a radio access technique or a channel
25 recommended by the other device on the basis of a location relationship between a
service area of the second communication service estimated using the service area
information and a service area of another second communication service and the
access technique information.