Spectrum Markets and Sharing via Spectrum Consumption Models

Spectrum consumption modeling (SCM) attempts to capture spectral, spatial, and temporal consumption of spectrum of any specific transmitter, receiver, system, or collection of systems. The information contained in the models enable better spectrum management practices and allows for the identification of spectrum reuse opportunities. The characteristics and structure of spectrum consumption models are being standardized within the newly formed IEEE P1900.5.2 group in which the authors participate.

This paper presents and discusses how SCM can be used to enable spectrum sharing and our initial research in establishing the techno-economic basis for the use of SCM in spectrum trading markets. We focus on exchange based spectrum trading markets where the entities wanting to use spectrum resources (e.g. wireless service providers) make use of SCMs to express the characteristics of the spectrum they desire to use. Then, based on these SCM, a spectrum exchange entity can determine the range of frequencies within the service area that can satisfy a particular requesting entity’s demand and the charge that it should pay. We hope that the results and insights of this paper are of use to regulators and policy makers and that it provides them an initial exposure to the potential uses of Spectrum Consumption Models and policy-based spectrum management.​