Analytical assessment of the performance impact of spectrum sharing in cellular networks considering different time scales

We present an analytical approach to assess the performance gains from spectrum sharing in a wireless communications network with two co-sited cells, with specific focus on the performance impact of the timescale at which spectrum is shared. Primary focus is on the analysis of spectrum sharing mechanisms that operate on a timescale of minutes or higher, based on average load information, while a comparison is made with an idealistic reference scheme of full and continuous spectrum sharing. The numerical results indicate the strong superiority of spectrum sharing at a timescale of seconds, with lower (but still appreciated) performance gains observed for spectrum sharing mechanisms operating at a minute (or higher) timescale.