Arto Kivinen

A series of trials in the UK as part of the Ofcom TV white spaces pilot

TV White Spaces technology is a means of allowing wireless devices to opportunistically use locally-available TV channels (TV White Spaces), enabled by a geolocation database. The geolocation database informs the device of which channels can be used at a given location, and in the UK/EU case, which transmission powers (EIRPs) can be used on each channel based on the technical characteristics of the device, given an assumed interference limit and protection margin at the edge of the primary service coverage area(s). The UK regulator, Ofcom, has initiated a large-scale Pilot of TV White Spaces technology and devices. The ICT-ACROPOLIS Network of Excellence, teaming up with the ICT-SOLDER project and others, is running an extensive series of trials under this effort. The purpose of these trials is to test a number of aspects of white space technology, including the white space device and geolocation database interactions, the validity of the channel availability/powers calculations by the database and associated interference effects on primary services., and the performances of the white spaces devices, among others. An additional key purpose is to undertake a number of research investigations such as into aggregation of TV White Space resources with conventional (licensed/unlicensed) resources, secondary coexistence issues and means to mitigate such issues, and primary coexistence issues under challenging deployment geometries, among others. This paper describes our trials, their intentions and characteristics, objectives, and some early observations.

Some Initial Results and Observations from a Series of Trials within the Ofcom TV White Spaces Pilot

TV White Spaces (TVWS) technology allows wireless devices to opportunistically use locally-available TV channels enabled by a geolocation database. The UK regulator Ofcom has initiated a pilot of TVWS technology in the UK. This paper concerns a large- scale series of trials under that pilot. The purposes are to test aspects of white space technology, including the white space device and geolocation database interactions, the validity of the channel availability/powers calculations by the database and associated interference effects on primary services, and the performances of the white space devices, among others. An additional key purpose is to perform research investigations such as on aggregation of TVWS resources with conventional resources and also aggregation solely within TVWS, secondary coexistence issues and means to mitigate such issues, and primary coexistence issues under challenging deployment geometries, among others. This paper provides an update on the trials, giving an overview of their objectives and characteristics, some aspects that have been covered, and some early results and observations.

Field trial of Licensed Shared Access (LSA) with enhanced LTE resource optimization and incumbent protection

We present an end-to-end ecosystem trial of the Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using a live LTE network sharing the 2.3 GHz band with incumbent wireless cameras. The entire LSA concept is implemented introducing LTE network as an additional licensed user in the band with the aid of an LSA Repository for spectrum availability information from wireless cameras and an LSA Controller for managing the LTE network. The trial goes beyond previous LSA demos by presenting enhanced LSA resource optimization with LSA Controller that is integrated into a real network management system to coordinate a heterogeneous network of macro and small cells. Enhanced incumbent protection is provided with algorithms for tracking a moving incumbent and considering aggregate interference from the LTE network to incumbent. Trial gives a unique opportunity to see live how a commercial LTE network adapts transmissions on the fly according to the location of the incumbent. Small cells are shown to improve the LSA resource use as the enhanced incumbent protection algorithm can allow small cells to continue operations in situation where macro cells need to close down.

Field trial of the 3.5 GHz citizens broadband radio service governed by a spectrum access system (SAS)

In this paper, we describe a spectrum access system (SAS) based Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) field trial using a live LTE network in the 3.5 GHz band. The latest WInnForum specification guided the implementation of the relevant protocols for SAS operation. Here, we evaluate the performance of a CBRS field trial by using one of the most important performance indicators in a spectrum sharing scenario — the evacuation time. It indicates how rapidly the secondary user relinquishes the shared spectrum band to the primary user. Following the applied protocols, we measure and analyze the time scales for the evacuation and frequency change procedures in a field trial environment. Our work shows that the set time limits for the protection of primary users against interference are realistic when using commercially available mobile networks and equipment. Finally, utilizing knowledge of the latest base station models, we propose ways to reduce the evacuation and reconfiguration time by up to 70%.

The first end-to-end live trial of CBRS with carrier aggregation using 3.5 GHz LTE equipment

This paper presents the first end-to-end field trial of the U.S. three-tier Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) with carrier aggregation using commercial 3.5 GHz network elements in a live LTE-A test network. The trial features an assignment of a shared spectrum to an operational LTE base station and demonstrates how it boosts the end user mobile data rate due to extended bandwidth availability. The field trial is important as it shows that a spectrum access system can be implemented utilizing existing network systems and latest technologies. The field trial allows studying the operation of a real system and comparing the performance to the relevant FCC requirements and particularly those related to different response times between the LTE-A network and CBRS.

TV White Space Network Trials

This chapter describes TV White Space (TVWS) network measurements and trials conducted in Finnish WISE projects from 2011 to 2015. A TV white space test network environment was developed and built in Turku, Finland, to aid standardisation and to demonstrate the technical capabilities of TV white space networks. The test network environment was the first in Europe to have a geolocation database control the frequency use. This chapter introduces interference measurements conducted to aid the standardisation work in the CEPT/ECC SE43 group. These measurements and the work in the SE43 group served as base information in the creation of an ETSI harmonised standard for TV white space devices, ETSI EN 301 598. The chapter also presents application pilot trials conducted to demonstrate the technical feasibility of TV white space networks: a long-term video surveillance trial in Turku, and two additional trials for public transport in the Helsinki area, one for ticket sales and the other for the transit information screens.

Application of the CBRS Model for Wireless Systems Coexistence in 3.6–3.8 GHz Band

In this paper we discuss the results of the experiment conducted in Poznan, Poland, where the performance of CBRS spectrum sharing model in 3.6–3.8 GHz band has been verified. Three-tier model has been tested, where the highest priority has been assigned to the fixed WiMAX users, whose transmit parameters cannot be modified. Second tier of users was constituted by the peer-to-peer microwave line, whereas the third tier of lowest priority covered the low-power cognitive small-cells. The whole system has been managed by the dedicated remote database located in Finland. Experiments have been carried out in the laboratory, where mainly the functionality of the management of the third tier user has been tested, while protecting the users assigned to two higher tiers.