IEEE 802.

16h
Cognitive Radio For TV Band WiMAX

SDR 63rd Meeting Technical Forum

16 June 2009
Dearborn, Mi

John Sydor
Communications Research Centre
john.sydor@crc.ca
 The Presentation

> TV Band operation (WLAN) the coexistence issues it raises.

> WiMAX and coexistence
> WiMAX with IEEE 802.16h Attributes
> The cognitive radio attributes of IEEE 802.16h
> Applications and examples
> Spectral Efficiency Gains through IEEE 802.16h WiMAX
> Summary.
So, why all the interest in
the TV Bands?
 Other, than the most obvious one

$2 Trillion*

* Total societal value of 402 MHz move in the TV bands. Dale Hazlet and Robert
Munoz. 2004. What Really Matters in Spectrum Allocation Design , AEI-
BROOKINGS JOINT CENTER FOR REGULATORY STUDIES, Working Paper 04-
16 (Aug.). << our proviso: Not all specrum is equal>>
 Why TV Bands?

Spectrum Availability
First of all…there is and will be lots of ‘White Space’ spectrum in urban areas…

For Urban Areas with population > 2 Million….

45% vacant spectrum (~180 MHz)
 Why TV Bands?

Spectrum Availability
First of all…there is and will be lots of ‘White Space’ spectrum in urban areas…

For Urban Areas with population > 2 Million….

45% of TV spectrum is vacant (~180 MHz)

For Rural Areas with pop<1 Million…

70% of TV spectrum vacant (~280 MHz)
 Why TV Bands?

Spectrum Availability
First of all…there is and will be lots of ‘White Space’ spectrum in urban areas…

For Urban Areas with population > 2 Million….

45% of TV spectrum is vacant (~180 MHz)

For Rural Areas with pop<1 Million…

70% of TV spectrum vacant (~280 MHz)

Depending where you are 300-400+ MHz

ISM Band at 2.4 GHz has ~ 83 MHz

ISM Band at 3.7 GHz has 50 Mhz
ISM band at 900 Mhz 26 MHz
ISM Band at 5 GHz has ~380 MHz
 Superior Propagation
And for Wireless service providers where propagation through vegetation
and urban clutter is a problem…The TV bands promise new, less costly options.
A comparison of the foliage attenuation for existing and proposed ISM
Bands…

ISM (2.4 & 5.8 GHz Band) and UHF (550 MHz) TV Band
Comparisons
2.4 GHz 5.8 GHz 550 MHz
0.35-1.5 0.6-2.5 dB/ 0.15 dB/ Meter
dB/Meter Meter (ITU)
1.55 dB/Meter 1.95 dB/Meter 0.57 dB/ Meter
(Vogel)

From Wolgang Vogel et al, ISART ‘99

 Why TV Bands?

Consider the problem in terms of the cell size you would create with the above stated
scenario…

20m

EIRP 4 Watts With 5800 MHz, your cell radius would be 470 meters:
RX Antenna 16 dBi
Gain
Bandwidth 6 MHz
RX S/N 15 dB
Tower Height 50 m
Client Height 5m
LOS Path Loss 2.3
Exponent
 Why TV Bands?

20m

EIRP 4 Watts With 5800 MHz, your cell radius would be 470 meters:
RX Antenna 16 dBi
At 2400 MHz, the radius would be 2300 meters:
Gain
Bandwidth 6 MHz At 550 MHz it would be > 20 Km ( 57Km?):
RX S/N 15 dB
Tower Height 50 m
Client Height 5m
LOS Path Loss 2.3
Exponent
 Why TV Bands?

20m

EIRP 4 Watts With 5800 MHz, your cell radius would be 470 meters:
RX Antenna 16 dBi
Gain At 2400 MHz, the radius would be 2300 meters:
Bandwidth 6 MHz
At 550 MHz it would be > 20 Km ( 57Km?):
RX S/N 15 dB
Tower Height 50 m
Client Height 5m
LOS Path Loss 2.3
Exponent
 The 2.4 & 5.8 Ghz ISM bands, because of their attenuation, actually
Allow considerable frequency reuse over an area, spectrum is efficiently used
and interference is mitigated….
 The 2.4 & 5.8 Ghz ISM bands, because of their attenuation, actually
Allow considerable frequency reuse over an area, spectrum is efficiently used
and interference is mitigated….
Spectrum Utilization:
Bits/Sec/Hz/M2 metric is High

Interference not mitigated by attenuation, is handled in a coordinated manner,

by one of the most common ISM band protocols…WiFI…(IEEE 802.11), however
..as the radius of operation for the IEEE 802.11 type network increases,
the network becomes less efficient…a problem made worse by
increasing the number of co-channel users.

Propagation Time
Packet Size

Lueng et al: Outdoor IEEE 802.11 Cellular Networks: Design and Their
Performance. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Vol 56, No.5
Sept 2007
 Consequently, interference amongst UHF TV band cells will be high, and
capacity will suffer. The system will not be spectrum efficient especially if
ISM band operation is to be supported in the same manner as at the
microwave bands.
Low Spectrum Utilization:
Bits/Sec/Hz/M2 is lower

Much co-channel
interference
In overlap zones.
 What problems are we faced with in the TV Bands?

+ Preservation of TV incumbents Sensing? Problematic, doable?

 data base, practical.
+ Detection of Microphones more problematic, possibly no engineering
solution here…but a political one & resovable.
+ Radio Emission Control difficult antenna design, propagation.
+ Self Interference Less known, significantly problematic, unless
resolved can lead to the ‘tragedy of the commons’.

So where does WiMAX fit in?

 IEEE-Based Wireless Evolution
IEEE 802.3 (a-aj)
Billions of Ports
Circa 1980's
CSMA/CD
Wireline-optical
Infrastructure/SONET/ATM

IEEE 802.11
~1990's
FDD/TDD/TDMA
IEEE 802.16
CSMA/CA OFDM/Single Carrier ~ 2000's Wireless Infrastructure (LMDS)
11-60GHz
802.11b Personal/Home/Wireless Ethernet
1-70 MBs Wisp
2.4 GHz/CCK/1-11Mbs
Wisp
2-11 GHz
Corporate/Municipal
2.4/5.5 GHz/6-54Mbs WIFI
IEEE 802.11/a/g OFDMA
OFDM IEEE 802.16-2004 WiMAX
Corporate/Municipal
Mesh
Metropolitan Networks
Mimo/Multiple antenna Mimo/Multiple antenna
IEEE 802.20
Mesh Metropolitan Networks
IEEE802.11N IEEE 802.16h
High Speed Mobile
108-350 Mbs(?)
Cognitive
Infrastructure Extension 400-600MHz IEEE 802.22
Cognitive
2-11GHz Personal/Home/Wireless Ethernet
IEEE802.11y
IEEE 802.16e
3.7 GHz

Wifi Phone Full Mobile

Little Mobility True Broadband
Small Cells/Low EIRP.....but ~200 Million users Larger Cells/Higher EIRP
Not a contender in the mobile/BB arena....so far ~nil-10 Mil io n Instal ed
$$$

WiFi is to 802.11 as WiMAX is to 802.16

 IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)
Fixed to Nomadic to Mobile to super mobile...
 TDD/TDMA Nature of IEEE802.16 (FDD is possible)

Base Station

Subscriber Stations

N N+1 N+2 N+3 N+4 N+5 N+6

DL UL

Time

The Base Station generates a timing clock that precisely identifies intervals of Time. These can be
referenced by counting.

The Frame is broken down into a downlink and uplink subframe. Information in the headers of the
downlink frames precisely located data in that frame.

The Frame and Bandwidth dimensions can be set differently for each BS and service provider.

The individual packets sent on the uplink and downlink frames have their own synchronization
headers, they are precisely timed, and must be within a 1X10(-7) frequency stability to be
demodulated.
IEEE802.16 DL/UL Multiple Access
 The Achille’s heel of WiMAX

The precise and complex scheduling, the large choice

in operational bandwidths and frame rates,
the absence of the need to synchronize outside the WiMAX network,

In fact, the characteristics which make WiMAX so flexible…

Make it vulnerable to interference.

WiMAX deployment: separate networks operate in the conventional IEEE
802.16 manner. Frame durations and synchronization are unique to each
separate network. Networks are co-channel ( as within the LE bands), but
are spatially isolated.

A
D

D
If the networks overlap in their service areas, subscriber terminals
in those areas will experience co-and possibly adjacent channel
interference. WiMAX frames overlap; interference affects uplink
and downlink TDD subframes.

A
D

Sporadic
C Interference

D
If the networks overlap in their service areas, subscriber terminals
in those areas will experience co-and possibly adjacent channel
interference. WiMAX frames overlap; interference affects uplink
and downlink TDD subframes.

A
D
X

A X X X X X X X X

B X X X X X X

Sporadic
C Interference

D
 Because of downlink and uplink channel
Description messages, responsible for
Scheduling, even interference-free frames
Become corrupted….errors propagate.

A
D
X

A X X X X X X X X

B X X X X X X X X

Sporadic
C Interference

D
 IEEE 802.16h amendment

IEEE 802.16h group formed to address coexistence issue in 2004,

 only MAC layer changes to the IEEE 802.16 standard were to be made,
Features were to be backward compatible

Amendment is now at the final “Standards Balloting” stage

Many of the the formative ideas for coexistence and spectrum sharing have
migrated to other standards such as the IEEE 802.22, P1900.
Many of the concepts embodied have ‘Cognitive Radio’ functionality.

Motorola
Samsung
ETRI
Alvarion
CRC
Nextwave
Apple
Huwei
 Cognitive Radio features embodied within 802.16h

(a) Spectrum Occupancy and White Space discovery

(b) Self-Interference identification and resolution by use of universally synchronized quiet time sensing.
(c) Time-sharing of a common channel by up to 3 independent systems (coexistence community)
(d) Spectrum trading between co-channel systems.
(e) Inter system, over the air communications for coexistence.
(f) Different network/different PHY internetwork communications using RSSI signaling.
(g) Support of Space-Division and MIMO systems interference control
(h) Adaptive Network Interference Threshold setting.
(i) Coexistence with Other RLAN systems (such as IEEE 802.11y @ 3.65 GHz)
and Primary Users ( such as Radars).
(j) Supports fairness/throughput needed for DSA in the LE bands.
(k) IP Backhaul/Database inquiry capable (typical of all 802.16)
(l) Supports high spectrum use through interference coordination--> MIMO equivalent capacity.

How was this achieved?

WiMAX deployment: separate networks operate in the conventional IEEE
802.16 manner. Frame durations and synchronization are unique to each
separate network. Networks can be co-channel ( as within the LE bands),
but they are spatially isolated.

A
D

D
Universal Synchronization of independent WiMAX systems to a
common timing standard (GPS for example)..

A
D

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N

D
Use a common Frame Size, 5 Msec in this case ( IEEE 802.16e)

A
D

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N

D
To facilitate interference detection between WiMAX 802.16h systems,
the “Coexistence Control Channel {CXCC}” is introduced. This is a
scheduled slot, occurring every 320 msec, once in the uplink and once in
the downlink. The duration of the slot is 1.9 msec. (0.6% channel)

A
D

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N+CXCC Period Offset

A
CXCC repition cycle

CXCC Control Channel Slots

Universally synchronized slots in the Uplink and Downlink
WiMAX frames to which access is controlled.
An operational WiMAX network, by use of a claiming protocol, continually
sends an identification messages (BSD, SSURF, etc) on its CXCC interval.
All other BS, including the interfered-with BS system, monitor this slot. If
these BS receive either the downlink or uplink messages….that is an
indication of co-channel interference.

A
D

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N+CXCC Period Offset

A
CXCC repition cycle
B

CXCC Control Channel Slots

Universally synchronized slots in the Uplink and Downlink
WiMAX frames to which access is controlled.
An operational WiMAX network, by use of a claiming protocol, continually
sends an identification messages (BSD, SSURF, Radio Signature) on its
CXCC interval. All other BS, including the interfered-with BS system,
monitor this slot. If these BS receive either the downlink or uplink
messages….that is an indication of co-channel interference.

A
D

C
BSD on Downlinks SSURFs on Uplinks
GPS Timing Reference
Start Frame N+CXCC Period Offset BSD SSURF

A
CXCC repition cycle
B

D
System A send BSD Interference Message on its downlink CXCC slot
and SSURF message on its uplink CXCC slot. These are detected
by the interfered-with System B
 MAC
Frame N N+1 N+2 N+3

UL DL UL DL UL DL UL DL
Slave
System A Master S1 Master S1 Slave S1
S1
Slave S1 Slave S1 Shared Shared

Slave
System B Slave S2
S2
Master S2 Master S2 Slave S2 Slave S2 Shared Shared

System C Slave S3 Slave S3 Slave S3 Slave S3 Master S3 Master S3 Shared Shared

All other transmissions which can be made non-interfering

System A or B traffic which always interferes by power control,assignment of Master/Slave/Shared frames
with the other system is temporally isolated. or which are spatially isolated from other systems
Traffic is from/to sources having no spatial isolation
such as those located here.

All System C transmissions B

are spatially isolated by an AAS and can
be sent at any time in the sub-frames.

Fig [a] Example of Spatial-temporal isolation of interfering and non-interfering emitters

using IEEE 802.16h techniques.
 Interference Messaging….Sensing & Radio Environment Awareness,
…..building blocks to CR

MAC Interference Messages & their derivative backhaul messages:

.
Quantification of interference events.
Location (GPS) of 802.16 interferer
Identification of non-IEEE 802.16 interference (ENG Microphones)
Identify of IEEE 802.16 interferer
RSSI of interference (mean and deviation)
Time of interference
Radiation characteristics of interference
Indication on resolution status for interference
Setting of new interference detection thresholds.
Inhibition of terminal from sending interference messages.
Set duration of interference monitoring.
Essentially, IEEE 802.16h
Implements Cognitive Radio
 Cognitive Radio: a coexistence solution

CR: A wireless terminal or system

technology which can autonomously
modify its spatial, temporal, and
spectral emission characteristics for
the purpose of improving spectral
efficiency and performance…
 Cognitive Radio: a coexistence solution

CR: A wireless terminal or system technology which can autonomously

modify its spatial, temporal, and spectral emission characteristics for
the purpose of improving spectral efficiency and performance…

 By Sensing, identifying characteristics, and knowing its effect on the radio environment.
 By collaborating, sharing information, and coexisting with other users.
 By creating a virtual representation of its radio environment,
 By being capable of devising performance options, either by rules or adaptation,
based on the virtual representation of the radio environment.
…these are all functions supported by IEEE 802.16h;
Some examples of IEEE 802.16h solutions and applications that are CR-centric..
 Example 1: Communication between radios having different PHYs:
(big problem for emergency comms…a problem with diverse WiMAX
802.16h networks operating in the TV bands.

C
Freg

Freg

A B

D
 Interference Messaging….Sensing & Radio Environment Awareness
amongst WiMAX radio operating on Different Bandwidths

RSSI encoding of specific TTG zones…allows detection regardless of Bandwidth

1 1 0
1.75 MHz BW
A
5 MHz BW UL DL
CXCC repition cycle
B
20 MHz BW
C
10 MHz BW
D

Alternatively, we can use pre-defined intervals at the end of frames (at the TTG gap)
to either have/not have transmitted power. These gaps are used to encode the IP Proxy
address of the interfering Base Station. Demodulated by the interfered-with
System, the identity of the interferer becomes known.
 IP Address of Station A encoded as a synchronized RSSI output

GPS Start TIme

A B

D
Example 2: Dynamic Channel Selection: IEEE 802.16h provides and inherent
ability to find vacant spectrum space by using the CXCC quiet monitoring
slots..

BS Interference Table from Base Station B contains

neighborhood occupancy information of spectrum by other systems

IP Based Exchange of BS interfernce Tables

A
D

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N

A Shared Master Slave Slave Shared Master

Shared Slave Master Slave Shared Slave

Shared Slave Slave Master Shared Slave

System D switches to a less occupied channel and sets up a coexistence
community relationship with System X.

BS Interference Table from Base Station B contains

neighborhood occupancy information of spectrum by other systems

GPS Timing Reference

Start Frame N

X
D

X Shared Master Slave Shared Master Slave

D Shared Slave Master Shared Slave Master

Example 3: Cognitive Signaling and Control of
Adaptive Beamforming IEEE 802.16h Coexistence Interference using Adaptive Antennas

Interference at
this terminal……
caused by this
Base Station….. Base Stations exchange
Results in interference interference messages at
Messaging to be sent the IP level…through the
by the terminal to its Coexistence Protocol
BS…………………. (IEEE 802.16h)

The interfering BS
modifies its radiation
pattern thereby
mitigating the
interference…with
IEEE 802.16e this can
be done on a frame
basis.
Example 4: Radio Environment Awareness.

Cell has mobiles reporting location and RSSI

Over time, reporting leads to a coverage map

SSURF

SSURF
Cell now has a coverage map that can be used for optimization,
Path prediction, ray-tracing analysis, etc. This forms a REA database.
Example 5: Cellular Capacity Increase…Where Cognitive Radio achieves
capacities to equivalent to MIMO.
Example 5: Cellular Capacity Increase…Where Cognitive Radio achieves
capacities to equivalent to MIMO.

Probably one of the least understood aspects of Cognitive Radio…but one

which has significant potential to change how we think of capacity,
spectrum utilization, and self-generated interference.
Example 5: Cellular Capacity Increase…Where Cognitive Radio achieves
capacities to equivalent to MIMO*.

Radio’s can simultaneously transmit on the same channel providing they know the effect
of their transmissions on each other. IEEE 802.16h allows such effects to be known
between systems.

*Achievable Rates in Cognitive Radio Channels

N. Devroye, P. Mitran, V.Tarokh
IEEE Trans. On Inf. Theory, May 2006
 Implementation/Application examples
CR within 802.16h
Frequency Reuse/accommodating Beamforming & MIMO
Beam broadens because of
non-homogenous propation environment.

High Signal Strength

Low Signal Strength
much multipath
High C/I (>20 dB)
Very high C/I
Low Multipath
NLOS/LOS
Transition Zone
Moderate Signal strength
Highly variable C/I
NLOS/LOS

Base Station

Sub-urban periphery Urban core

Propagation Study in Support of IEEE 802.16h Frequency Reuse
enhanced by CR approaches.

..A 6 beam array, each beam transmitting the same

2.4 GHz Reused Signal into the downtown environment…
 dB CCI

Plot of CCI measured in each beam. Measurement is a ratio of

Desired signal to sum of all interfering signals. Corrected for
Angle of incidence of received signal.
 Magenta beam CCI. CDF of CCI within -3dB points
Desired signal to sum of of beam. 90% of measurements had a CCI better
All powers from other cells. Than 10dB
NLOS measurements
Study of Frequency Reuse and Capacity Gains for Cellular Systems
Using IEEE 802.16h Cognitive Radio Functionalities.
C.Rosenberg, P.Mitran, J.Sydor.
 Summary

• TV bands may be more prone to interference than the

current ISM bands, CSMA techniques alone may not be
sufficient.
• IEEE 802.16h is rich in cognitive radio capabilities needing
only slight improvement to sustain TV band coexistence.
• IEEE 802.16h CR can support high frequency reuse, giving
beamformed systems significant capacity efficiencies…
rivaling MIMO. This can be applied to TV band WLAN
operation for considerable benefits.
Thank You