A framework for enhanced carrier aggregation with dynamic carrier selection

This paper proposes a framework for an enhanced form of Carrier Aggregation, with the focus on carrier selection mechanism that considers different types of shared spectrum resources for the aggregation. In addition to a spectrum class already owned by the operator, we envisage two additional shared spectrum classes, activated dynamically, according to the capacity demand. The two classes, referred to as exclusively shared and commonly shared differ in relation to the right of access, usage fees, interference levels and availability. We introduce different spectrum availability thresholds for the commonly shared spectrum class and spectral efficiency measure per channel between the two classes, based on the upper bound channel capacity. The aim is to provide the operators with suitable metrics that should aid their decision on a selection of dynamically shared carrier. As a result of the proposed mechanism, they should be able to identify whether the freely available, commonly shared class can offer the type of resources that the operator needs, or they have to resort to the fee-based, exclusively shared class.