Spectrum Sharing for WINNER Radio Access Networks

This paper presents the concept of spectrum sharing in connection to beyond 3rd generation (B3G) systems. Inter-system spectrum sharing mechanisms are summarised and classified depending on their coordination capabilities and the relative priorities between the systems involved in the sharing. Novel radio resource management (RRM) functionalities for coordinating the sharing of the spectrum with legacy systems and other B3G radio access networks (RANs) are outlined to permit the efficient implementation of spectrum sharing. These B3G spectrum sharing RRM functionalities are proposed in the context of the European IST WINNER project. Capabilities to share spectrum with other radio access systems will significantly increase the efficiency of the WINNER system as well as the compatibility with legacy systems. The RRM architecture enables WINNER systems to benefit from the most important aspects of the envisioned spectrum sharing. Spectrum sharing provides the WINNER system with new spectrum access possibilities, facilitating flexible deployment, usage and a gradual evolution of the system in coexistence with legacy systems