Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) is a key mechanism for meeting the ever-increasing demand for emerging wireless services. DSA involves managing and assigning available spectrum resources in a way that minimizes interference and allows RF coexistence between heterogeneous devices and systems. Such co-existence mechanisms, if they are to succeed when heterogeneous RF devices managed by different entities need to operate in a given area and frequency band (licensed and/or unlicensed), require a common mechanism for expressing the boundaries of spectrum use of each device so that spectrum use deconfliction methods can be built and verified. Spectrum Consumption Models (SCMs) – defined in the IEEE 1900.5.2 standard – offer a mechanism for RF devices to: (i) declare the characteristics of their intended spectrum use and their interference protection needs; and (ii) determine compatibility (non-interference) with existing devices. In this paper, we propose a novel SCM-based Spectrum Deconfliction (SD) algorithm that dynamically configures RF operational parameters (e.g., center frequency and transmission power) of a target transmitter-receiver pair aiming to minimize interference with existing devices/systems. We also propose sequential and distributed DSA methods that use the SD algorithm for assigning spectrum in large-scale networks. To evaluate the performance of our methods in terms of computation time, spectrum assignment efficiency, and overhead, we use two custom-made simulation platforms. Finally, to experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of our methods, we build a proof-of-concept implementation in the NSF PAWR COSMOS wireless testbed. The results reveal the advantages of using SCMs and their capabilities to conduct spectrum assignments in dynamic and congested communication environments.

This paper presents mmCPTP, a cross-layer end-toend protocol for fast delivery of data over mmWave channels associated with emerging 5G services. Recent measurement studies of mmWave channels in urban micro cellular deployments show considerable fluctuation in received signal strength along with intermittent outages resulting from user mobility. This results in significant impairment of end-to-end data transfer throughput when regular TCP is used to transport data over such mmWave channels. To address this issue, we propose mmCPTP, a novel cross-layer end-to-end data transfer protocol that sets up a transport plug-in at or near the base station and uses feedback from the lower layer (RLC/MAC) to opportunistically pull data at the mobile client without the slow start and probing delays associated with TCP. The system model and end-to-end protocol architecture are described and compared with TCP and IndirectTCP (I-TCP) in terms of achievable data rate. The proposed mmCPTP protocol is evaluated using NS3 simulation for 5G NR (New Radio) considering a high-speed mobile user scenario. The system is further validated using a proof-of-concept prototype which emulates the high-speed mmWave/NR access link with traffic shaping over Gbps ethernet. Results show significant performance gains for mmCPTP over TCP and I-TCP (2.5x to 17.2x, depending on the version).

Next generation wireless services and applications, including Augmented Reality, Internet-of-Things, and Smart-Cities, will increasingly rely on Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) methods that can manage spectrum resources rapidly and efficiently. Advances in regulatory policies, standardization, networking, and wireless technology are enabling DSA methods on a more granular basis in terms of time, frequency, and geographical location which are key for the operation of 5G and beyond-5G networks. In this context, this paper proposes a novel DSA algorithm that leverages IEEE 1900.5.2 Spectrum Consumption Models (SCMs) which offer a mechanism for RF devices to: (i) "announce" or "declare" their intention to use the spectrum and their needs in terms of interference protection; and (ii) determine compatibility (i.e., non-interference) with existing devices. In this paper, we develop an SCM-based DSA algorithm for spectrum deconfliction in large-scale wireless network environments and evaluate this algorithm in terms of computation time, efficiency of spectrum allocation, and number of device reconfigurations due to interference using a custom simulation platform. The results demonstrate the benefits of using SCMs and their capabilities to perform fine grained spectrum assignments in dynamic and dense communication environments.