Simon Delaere

Sensing as a Service: An Exploration into Practical Implementations of DSA

The cognitive radio literature generally assumes that the functions required for non-cooperative secondary DSA are integrated into a single radio system. It need not be so. In this paper, we model cognitive radio functions as a value chain and explore the implications of different forms of organization of this value chain. We initially explore the consequences of separating the sensing function from other cognitive radio functions.

Flexible spectrum and future business models for the mobile industry

The concept of flexible spectrum is often considered as a medium-to-long-term solution to overcome some of the current inefficiencies and high entry barriers plaguing the mobile industry. Increasingly, a cognitive pilot channel (CPC) is regarded as a central enabler for flexible spectrum. This paper outlines the CPC concept from a business point of view and clarifies its current status in the standardization and regulation fields. The idea of a worldwide CPC will be under consideration by the World Radio Conference in 2011. Based on several potential CPC implementations, the paper identifies a number of flexible spectrum business configurations and revenue sharing models. It also performs an initial forward-looking evaluation of these models using a business model scorecard approach, and finds that while the scope appears to be limited for a fully competitive, cross-operator spectrum market, several platform models (e.g. association or consortium models) stand out as feasible options.

Multi-Level Standardization and Business Models for Cognitive Radio: The Case of the Cognitive Pilot Channel

This paper examines the international, inter- organizational collaboration processes for the development of cognitive radio, which will be at the basis of potentially profound changes in the telecommunications value network, as well as its functional architecture, cost and value structure and the eventual value proposition of any services deployed in such a value network. The paper will analyze the transition in telecommunications from linear standardization taking place mainly in the domain of formal Standardization Organizations, to a highly complex and multi-layered process simultaneously involving formal organizations, informal bodies and industrial consortia. Subsequently, the paper discusses the development of a Cognitive Pilot Channel to show how innovation in telecommunications markets is determined by this complex interplay. It also explores how the collaborative process between research, regulation and standardization of a Cognitive Pilot Channel in different standardization platforms (viz. IEEE SCC41 and ETSI TC RRS) might influence the eventual deployment of such a cognitive radio technology and networks and services enabled by it, as well as the business models for it. For doing this, an exploratory business model scorecard analysis is performed on some of the different revenue sharing models coming out of diverging design choices of the CPC.

Geolocation database beyond TV white spaces? Matching applications with database requirements

Within the field of cognitive radio many of recent attention has gone to to specific use cases such as the so-called TV White Spaces (TVWS). Within this use case, there has been much discussion on which enabling technology would be appropriate to allow secondary use of the TV band. There seems to be a growing consensus that a geolocation database can successfully enable White Space Devices (WSDs) to make use of the TVWS without harmfully interfering with incumbent services, even though many issues still need to be resolved. Regulators across the globe have also been showing a preference towards this type of cognitive enabler for use in the TVWS-case. This paper argues that both the technology and the use case chosen for CR are firmly interlinked, but that other use cases and applications than TVWS exist where a geolocation database can be of use. It therefore sets out to identify distinct categories of wireless applications and match them with the appropriate geolocation database requirements, from the assumption that these may highly diverge from current database conceptions. In order to do so, a classification of database requirements, based on essential characteristics, will first be constructed. In a following section, the resulting framework of database- and corresponding application requirements will be applied to two use cases; broadband through TVWS and a wireless conferencing system. From this we can conclude that a geolocation database can also be valuable outside a TVWS-setting and that distinct wireless applications in varying contexts have different needs with regard to a databases capabilities and characteristics.

The business model impact of flexible spectrum management and cognitive networks

Purpose - This paper aims to give a short overview of European Union policy trends towards more flexible forms of spectrum management. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a business modelling analysis, scenario construction, policy analysis and roadmapping. It argues that both flexible spectrum management and the concept of reconfigurability do not eliminate the need for a number of centralised controlling entities, and even introduce a number of new ones, performing regulatory, commercial and technical functions of a diverse nature. One of the most prominent control entities, the Cognitive Pilot Channel (CPC), is presented, and three different configurations of the CPC are outlined. Subsequently, the potential impact of different CPC configurations on business models for wireless services making use of such a channel is explored. Findings - The paper concludes that a hybrid model combining a meta-level CPC with operator-deployed channels might provide the best mix of technical and strategic control for operators, and value for users. Research limitations/implications - The study undertaken here isexploratory in nature since, for example, no exact estimations of cost and revenue, or harmonisation feasibility and roadmaps can be made at this time. Originality/value - The CPC is a recent and potentially crucial concept which is not yet standardised or implemented and for which no business modelling analysis has been performed yet.

Classification of business scenarios for spectrum sensing

Because of ever growing use of wireless applications and inflexibilities in the current way spectrum is allocated, spectrum is becoming more and more scarce. One of the methods to overcome this is spectrum sensing. In spectrum sensing research, use case analysis is often used to determine challenges and opportunities for this technology. However, such use cases vary widely in terms of business context, so that assessment of viability for one cannot be a basis for inferring viability of another. Therefore, this paper proposes a number of basic parameters that set apart fundamentally different business scenarios for sensing technology, i.e. ownership, exclusivity, tradability and neutrality. Based on these parameters, a classification is outlined which sheds light on the particular business and regulatory opportunities and constraints related to spectrum sensing, and could therefore help business actors as well as regulators to fine-tune their decision-making vis-a-vis this technology.

Techno-economical viability of cognitive solutions for a factory scenario

Recent advances in wireless communication theory and semiconductor technology brought wireless to virtually every aspect of our life, and this trend is expected to continue to increase in the future. Unfortunately, as the number of wireless applications grows, the same scarce spectrum is reused over and over again, resulting in increased interference, which jeopardizes the prospect of wireless meeting its high expectations. Dynamic Spectrum Access proposes to mitigate this problem by adapting the operational parameters of wireless networks to varying interference conditions. However, the involved increase in cost threatens to reduce the benefit of wireless in different environments. In this paper we examine the economic balance between the added cost and the increased usability brought about by DSA. We focus on a particular real-life scenario — the production floor of an industrial installation — where there is typically extensive utilization of the ISM band. IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensors monitor production machinery, and IEEE 802.11 WLAN is used as the data backbone. We model the benefit achieved by adding RF sensing technology in terms of reliability and battery lifetime, and qualitatively assess the cost of interference and the potential gain of introducing sensing technology. Based on this techno-economic analysis, we conclude that if implemented correctly, spectrum sensing can bring business gains in real-life applications.

Femtocell deployment strategies for MVNOs enabled by cognitive sharing

Mobile (virtual) network operators are getting increasingly under pressure as their licensed spectrum is becoming more and more scarce, while demand for mobile data is skyrocketing. Customer segments in need of high bandwidth to enable very high quality data applications are potential goldmines, but they also speed up the mobile data crunch. One possible solution for this growing issue is the use of femtocells, combined with cognitive elements. The combination can allow for cognitive sharing of licensed spectrum, resulting in significant network capacity gains. This paper reviews the possible business deployment strategies for the proposed solution, hereby answering the questions which actor can be responsible for the deployment of the femtocells and the cognitive elements, what the femtocell configuration should be in terms of open or closed access, how the ideal amount of subscribers per femtocell can be chosen and how much femtocells are needed, provided a given amount of subscribers. This paper will not go in-depth on the technical architecture of this proposed combination of cognitive elements and femtocells, but it will rather evaluate the deployment for the proposed solution from a strategic and business point of view.

High-level scenarios for the future of cognitive radio business

This paper aims to provide a systematic analysis and formal presentation of high-level scenarios for the future development of Cognitive Radio business ecosystem. It uses the Intuitive Logics as a methodology for constructing four equally probable scenarios in a matrix at the intersection of two identified major uncertainties. The paper shows the importance of using high-level scenarios as a guiding framework for understanding the causal-consequential relationships and actions of different stakeholders that may help in building the strategies for responding and further facilitating the development of Cognitive Radio.

Flexible Spectrum Business Models for the Mobile Industry

The concept of Flexible Spectrum is a way to overcome some of the current inefficiencies and high entry barriers plaguing the mobile industry. Increasingly, a Cognitive Pilot Channel (CPC) is regarded as the central enabler for Flexible Spectrum. This paper outlines the CPC concept from a business point of view and clarifies its current status in the standardization and regulation fields. Based on several potential CPC implementations, it identifies a number of Flexible Spectrum business configurations and revenue sharing models. It also performs an initial evaluation of these models using a business model scorecard approach.