Method and system for dynamic spectrum access
Methods and systems for dynamic spectrum access (DSA) in a wireless network are provided. A DSA-enabled device may sense spectrum use in a region and, based on the detected spectrum use, select one or more communication channels for use. The devices also may detect one or more other DSA-enabled devices with which they can form DSA networks. A DSA network may monitor spectrum use by cooperative and non-cooperative devices, to dynamically select one or more channels to use for communication while avoiding or reducing interference with other devices.
1. A method of operating a device comprising: a scheduler, a first transceiver, and a second transceiver, the method comprising:
operating the first transceiver to send and receive packets on a first frequency during a first time period;
disabling operation of the second transceiver to send and receive packets on a second frequency different from the first frequency;
configuring the second transceiver as a detector with a receiver portion of the second transceiver;
tuning the detector to a third frequency different from the first frequency;
monitoring, with the detector, for a presence and an absence of transmissions on the third frequency;
classifying received information from the detector about the presence and the absence of transmissions on the third frequency;
updating the scheduler with information about activity on the third frequency based on the information received from the detector; and
disabling operation of the first transceiver for transmission during a second time period, wherein the step of monitoring, with the detector, is performed during the second time period, and wherein the second time period is synchronized with a plurality of transceivers remote from the device comprising the first and second transceivers.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising synchronizing the second time period among each of the plurality of transceivers.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a message indicating a time frame format that includes information related to a starting time of the second time period with respect to a reference.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the message indicating the time frame format includes information related to a duration time of the second time period.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the message indicating the time frame format includes information related to an offset time of the second time period with respect to a reference.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the reference occurs asynchronously within each of a plurality of frames.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second time period occurs asynchronously within each of a plurality of frames.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling or disabling operation of the first transceiver to transmit on the third frequency based on the information used to update the scheduler.
9. A device comprising:
a scheduler;
a first transceiver;
a second transceiver; and
wherein the device is configured to:
operate the first transceiver to send and receive packets on a first frequency during a first time period;
disable operation of the second transceiver to send and receive packets on a second frequency different from the first frequency;
configure the second transceiver as a detector with a receiver portion of the second transceiver;
tune the detector to a third frequency different from the first frequency;
monitor, with the detector, for a presence and an absence of transmissions on the third frequency;
classify received information from the detector about the presence and the absence of transmissions on the third frequency;
update the scheduler with information about activity on the third frequency based on the information received from the detector; and
disable operation of the first transceiver for transmission during a second time period, wherein the device monitors, with the detector, during the second time period, and wherein the second time period is synchronized with a plurality of transceivers remote from the device.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the device is further configured to synchronize the second time period among each of the plurality of transceivers.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the device is further configured to receive a message indicating a time frame format that includes information related to a starting time of the second time period with respect to a reference.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the message indicating the time frame format includes information related to a duration time of the second time period.
13. The device of claim 11 , wherein the message indicating the time frame format includes information related to an offset time of the second time period with respect to a reference.
14. The device of claim 11 , wherein the reference occurs asynchronously within each of a plurality of frames.
15. The device of claim 9 , wherein the second time period occurs asynchronously within each of a plurality of frames.
16. The device of claim 9 , wherein the device is configured to enable or disable operation of the first transceiver to transmit on the third frequency based on the information used to update the scheduler.