Systems and methods for subscriber-centric dynamic spectrum management

A radio spectrum management system is provided. In an embodiment, the radio spectrum management system includes a radio spectrum gateway, a radio spectrum management server and a radio spectrum policy decision server. The radio spectrum gateway is coupled to a radio access network that receives bandwidth requests from subscriber devices and provides bandwidth allocation decisions to the radio access network. The radio spectrum management server receives bandwidth requests from the radio spectrum gateway and provides bandwidth allocation decisions to the radio spectrum gateway based on radio resources and bandwidth policy decisions. The radio spectrum policy management server provides bandwidth policy decisions to the radio spectrum server. The bandwidth policy decisions are generated based on consideration of subscriber and/or application service provider characteristics. Methods for allocation of radio spectrum for a subscriber within a wireless network when the subscriber requests an application are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to communications, and more particularly, to spectrum management of wireless communication networks.

2. Background of Invention

An increasingly large number of individuals use portable computing devices, such as laptop computers, personal data assistants (PDAs), smart phones and the like, to support mobile communications. The number of computing devices, and the number of networks that these devices connect to, has increased dramatically in recent years. For example, traditional cellular telephone use and mobility continue to grow as the number of cellular subscribers in the United States exceeded 200M for the first time in 2005, with revenues from roaming services (e.g., services used by a cell phone user in a visited network other than their home network) reaching nearly 4B USD. Similarly, an increasing number of wireless Internet access services have been appearing in airports, cafes and book stores with revenue projected from wireless local area network (“LAN”) services to exceed 15B USD in 2007.

A wireless network generally includes many wireless nodes and users trying to gain access to a network. The primary means for controlling access include network access servers (“NAS”) and authentication servers. A NAS provides access to the network. A primary authentication server, such as an authentication, authorization, accounting (AAA) server, provides centralized authentication services to a NAS for authenticating client devices before they are granted access to the network. In typical installations, the devices and users are connecting through the NAS to obtain access to a network (e.g., the Internet) via some form of wireless connection. The authentication server is typically a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) or Diameter server.

The significant growth in wireless communications and the limited radio spectrum available, requires that service providers more efficiently manage radio spectrum. Currently, radio access networks (“RAN”) used to allocate radio spectrum in wireless networks assign radio resources based on generic device considerations and a first-come, first-served basis. Further current state of the art methods for allocating spectrum are based only on class of application (e.g. voice, video, gaming) or device capability/type (basic, standard, high, etc.).

Conceptually spectrum allocation and RAN access can be viewed as being based on two major concepts: physical radio resource allocation at the radio cell and call admission and congestion control at a protocol level using service type and priority. Physical radio resource allocation typically depends on equal basic access rights to set up the required communication channels, physical location and proximity to the radio resources, cell capacity and size.

Call admission and congestion control (“CAC”) typically depend on a higher level protocol making admission decisions following basic radio resource allocation based on: cell status in terms of ability to provide basic access and service requested by a user in terms of real-time sensitivity. These approaches are limited in that they do not efficiently assign spectrum and do not ensure a particular level of end-to-end quality-of-service. Furthermore, they are limited in their ability to provide tiered service offerings and dynamically adjusting bandwidth allocations based on subscriber characteristics or service provider characteristics.

What is needed are systems and methods that allocate bandwidth to subscribers based on subscriber and application service provider characteristics in a subscriber-centric manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary systems and methods provide for subscriber-centric dynamic spectrum management. In particular, the exemplary systems and methods provide for allocating radio spectrum within wireless networks based on knowledge of the entitlements (e.g., service contract) of a wireless subscriber/user, knowledge of the entitlements of an application, and the capabilities of subscriber devices (e.g., handset, laptop). While the specification focuses on wireless systems, the invention is not limited to wireless networks. The systems and methods of the present application can be applied to wireline systems and mixed wireline/wireless networks in which distributed subscribers share bandwidth, for example, within a cable modem network.

Exemplary embodiments can also provide for end-to-end quality of service through packet markings to be used for differentiated services (“diffserv.”) Diffserv is a computer network architecture that specifies a simple, scalable and coarse-grained mechanism for classifying, managing network traffic and providing quality of service (“Qos”) guarantees on IP networks. The exemplary embodiments can also provide for business methods to analyze subscriber-specific usage patterns to infer optimal geographic/regional spectrum allocation policies.

The benefits of the exemplary embodiments include cost reductions in network operating costs due to the optimization of spectrum allocation. Exemplary embodiments also support providing an optimal user experience by ensuring a particular end-to-end quality of service level that is based on the subscriber's profile and device characteristics. Exemplary embodiments also provide a means for introducing tiered services based on quality of service guarantees and other parameters that can result in greater revenue generation for a wireless provider. Exemplary embodiments provide for the enablement of emergency services based on subscriber entitlement/privileges/priority characteristics.

Exemplary embodiments allow spectrum to be allocated centered on the subscriber profile that includes subscriber class (e.g., gold, silver, bronze, emergency worker) and other possible characteristics such as time of day (e.g., the subscriber has subscribed to morning-bronze and night-gold service, so allocate more spectrum to the device during evening hours.)

Exemplary embodiments optimize spectrum, when a mobile device moves into a high noise (such as, near power lines), or low signal (such as, within a tunnel) environment, where based on the knowledge of that user's application, channels for services that are no-longer viable (e.g., high-resolution video) are de-allocated to optimize for more critical services (e.g., emergency calls)

Exemplary embodiments enable end-to-end QOS deliver via mechanisms such as Diffserv markings, even when the IP traffic from RADIO network is tunneled through in the packet network

Exemplary embodiments allow applications to request higher/lower spectrum allocation and based on the intersection of subscriber and application provider profiles/entitlements, additional spectrum is allocated (rather than just based on type of application.) This is very useful for when the application provider and the carrier are independent, but the carrier desires to control radio spectrum based on subscriber entitlements.

Exemplary embodiments can use the existing mechanisms for radio resource allocation and CAC, but can modify the triggering of the mechanisms based on the centralized policy management.

Exemplary embodiments link spectrum allocation and RAN Network Access to Service Access and Quality of Service by mapping the usage of services at the radio resource management level to an overall view of a subscriber maintained in a centralized Policy Management Server and using this mapping to change the bandwidth and codec allocation at the physical radio resource allocation level at the cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1provides architecture100of the public wireless Internet. Architecture100includes home network120, cellular networks130and140, service providers150, wireless LAN hot spot160and170and Internet180. Architecture100provides a very simplified diagram of wireless network to illustrate the concepts of a home network and a visited network to highlight the need for authentication procedures. As will be known by individuals skilled in the relevant arts, the present invention can be used on both public and private interconnected wireless networks that require authentication of a mobile device and/or user when that device or user accesses a foreign or visited network that differs from the device or user's home network.

Home network120can be any type of wireless network, such as a cellular network or a wireless LAN. Home network120represents the home network of mobile device110. Mobile device110can include a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a PDA or other wireless mobile device. Mobile device110is shown as currently having a wireless connection to home network120. As will be known by individuals skilled in the relevant arts, mobile device110can roam from one network to another, provided that the proper roaming arrangements are in place between network providers and that mobile device110can be properly authenticated when entering a visited or foreign network, such as wireless LAN hot spot170or cellular network140. Each of the networks is coupled through Internet180. Other types of public and private networks can be used to couple the networks. Mobile device110can provide a subscriber services, including application usage. Mobile devices110can provide a device identity based on which subscriber and device capabilities can be determined. Mobile device110enables subscriber to authenticate.

FIG. 2Aprovides a diagram of a radio spectrum management system according to an embodiment of the invention. The radio spectrum management system includes radio spectrum gateway220, radio spectrum management server240, and radio spectrum policy management server250. RAN210is a radio access network that allocates wireless resources within a wireless network, such as home network120or cellular network130, for example. Packet data network230includes any type of packet data network, such as for example, Internet180, a private network, and the like. Applications260provide content to the subscriber devices.

Radio spectrum gateway220is coupled to RAN210. Radio spectrum gateway220receives access requests from subscriber devices and provides bandwidth allocation and authentication requests to RAN210. Radio spectrum gateway220can be an edge device in an existing RAN Network, e.g. a base station controller (“BSC”), a radio network controller (“RNC”) or the overall edge device in a flat wireless network, such as, for example a access service network (“ASN”) gateway. Radio spectrum gateway220can interface with the base stations or core network components via existing interfaces, if required.

In an embodiment, radio spectrum gateway220interfaces with the radio spectrum management server240via change of authorization (“CoA”) attributes using a standard AAA protocol or a simple real-time control protocol. The CoA attributes can be mapped directly to the class of service already defined in the existing radio setup and can be changed to increase the service of high value subscribers and decrease/modify the service of lower value subscribers to change the amount of bandwidth that will be allocated at any given time. Radio spectrum management server240can function as a client of radio spectrum policy management server250.

Radio spectrum gateway220can use a counter to determine how bandwidth should be allocated. Radio spectrum gateway220can handle conflicts and congestion control via deferral to radio spectrum policy management server250for bandwidth allocation decisions.

Radio spectrum management server240provides spectrum allocation requests to the radio spectrum gateway220. Radio spectrum management server240seeks to optimize the spectrum allocated to a user based on one or more of a subscriber profile, the subscriber's device, and the service requested. In some cases the resource admission function of radio spectrum manager server240may be optional if such function is provided in radio spectrum gateway220. In such cases, radio spectrum gateway220may provide an over-ride policy on a per subscriber basis (e.g., for service to emergency personnel).

Radio spectrum management server240provides authenticated access authorization, including initial spectrum allocation parameters to radio spectrum gateway220based on policy decisions provided by radio spectrum policy management server250.

FIG. 2Bprovides a block diagram of radio spectrum management server240, according to an embodiment of the invention. Radio spectrum management server240includes a radio access network interface242, bandwidth allocation request module244and policy decision interface246. Radio access network interface242enables radio spectrum management server240to be communicatively coupled to one or more radio access networks, such a RAN210. Policy decision interface246enables radio spectrum management server240to be communicatively coupled to radio spectrum policy management server250that generates policy decisions.

Bandwidth allocation request module244provides bandwidth allocation instructions to one or more radio access networks. The instructions instruct radio allocation devices as to the amount of bandwidth to allocate to a user. Bandwidth allocation decision module244determines bandwidth allocation instructions based on a policy decision that factors in subscriber characteristics reflected in policy decisions received from radio spectrum policy management server250and radio resource events.

Radio spectrum management server240can be a new network element or an existing element behind the core network. In an embodiment, the functions of radio spectrum management server240are integrated within radio spectrum policy management server250.

Radio spectrum management server240can interface with the radio spectrum gateway220through radio access network interface242via a higher level AAA protocol, such as Radius or Diameter. Radio spectrum management server240can use CoA messaging and attributes to force changes in the local service level.

Radio spectrum server240can interface with the radio spectrum policy management server250through policy decision interface246via a higher level AAA protocol, such as Radius or Diameter, with proxyied messaging used to simplify the overall change of command.

Radio spectrum policy management server250provides bandwidth allocation policy decisions to radio spectrum management server240. Radio spectrum policy management server250can reside as a stand-alone system or within a policy management complex, such as, for example an AAA server.FIG. 2Cprovide a block diagram of radio spectrum policy management server250, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Radio spectrum policy management server250includes radio access network interface252, bandwidth allocation decision module254, subscriber usage analysis module255, subscriber profile database256, service provider profile database257and service provider interface258.

Radio access network interface252enables the radio spectrum policy management server250to be communicatively coupled to one or more radio access networks.

Bandwidth allocation policy decision module254determines bandwidth allocation policy decisions based on subscriber characteristics and/or service provider characteristics.

Subscriber profile database256includes subscriber characteristics. The subscriber characteristics include one or more of subscription information, historical usage information and current usage information. Subscription information includes entitlements, allowed service types, allowed device identifiers, allowed subscription identifiers and billing information. Historical usage information includes a record of a subscriber's previous service request and the treatment thereof, and satisfaction level. Current usage information includes roaming status, device capabilities, signal quality and current bandwidth allocation. Examples of subscription information, historical information, and current usage information are described below with respect toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3provides a diagram of subscriber profile300, according to an embodiment of the invention. Subscriber profile300may be stored in subscriber profile database256, or subscriber profile300may be stored remotely from radio spectrum policy management server250. Subscriber profile300can include the following in types of information: allowed identifier (“ID”)310, allowed device ID320, entitlements330, allowed service types340, previous flows350, satisfaction level360, current RAN capabilities370, roaming status380, current device ID382, device capabilities384, current service type386, IP Address388, current bandwidth allocation390, and signal quality392. Subscriber profile300is an exemplary subscriber profile shown for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Allowed identifier310is an identifier used to identify a mobile subscriber. In the exemplary embodiment, allowed identifier is a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (“MSISDN”).

Allowed device IDs320identifier the mobile devices that a subscriber is allowed to access RAN210with. In an embodiment, allowed identifier is an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (“IMEI”).

Entitlements330identify a subscriber's level of entitlement compared to other subscriber classes during specified time periods. In the exemplary embodiment there are four entitlement levels gold, silver, bronze, and emergency worker, where emergency worker is entitled over gold, silver, and bronze, where gold is entitled over silver and bronze, and silver is entitled over bronze. In an embodiment, the time periods are divided into morning, midday, and nights for weekdays and weekends. Entitlements330are based on the subscriber's agreement. For example a gold entitlement may be based on paying a premium over a bronze entitlement.

Allowed service types340includes the services a subscriber is allowed to use. In an embodiment allowed services types include, but are not limited to, real-time (“RT”), NonRT, conversational, audio, and video. It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that types of services are constantly expanding and can be incorporated into existing networks. Allowed service types340are useful in determining whether a request should be denied based on that fact that the subscriber is not authorized to access the service.

Previous flows350include a record of a subscriber's previous requests. Previous flows350includes the time of a request, the description of the request, and the status of the request. The time of a request is when a request occurred. It should be noted that although the time scale is shown as partitioned for entitlement periods, it can be partitioned any number of ways including down to the millisecond level. Further, the range of the time scale can be anywhere from the total subscription time, the current billing cycle, or an entitlement period. Previous flows350can also include an explanation as to why a request was denied.

Satisfaction level360indicates the current satisfaction level of a subscriber. Satisfaction level can be based on analysis of previous flows450(e.g., percentage of requests allowed), feedback received from the subscriber, or a combination thereof. Satisfaction level360can be used as an indication of the likelihood the subscriber will change her service (e.g., upgrade service due to high satisfaction level, downgrade service due to low satisfaction level, cancel service due to extremely low satisfaction level, etc.).

Current RAN capabilities370indicate the capabilities of the RAN a subscriber is currently connected to. Current RAN capabilities370are useful in determining whether a request should be denied based on that fact that a RAN cannot support the request.

Roaming status380indicates whether roaming is active on for the device a subscriber is currently using to access a RAN.

Current device ID382identifies the device that a subscriber is currently using to connect to a RAN.

Device capabilities384identifies the capabilities of the device that a subscriber is currently using to connect to a RAN. Current device capabilities484are useful in determining whether a request should be denied based on that fact that the device cannot support the request.

Current service type386indicates the service that a subscriber is currently accessing.

IP address388indicates the IP address of the service that a subscriber is currently accessing, when applicable.

Current bandwidth allocation390indicates the bandwidth currently allocated to the subscriber both in the upstream and downstream directions. It should be noted that the bandwidth allocated to a subscriber may be greater than the bandwidth that the subscriber is actually using.

Signal quality392indicates the quality of the signals currently being received from the subscriber. Signal quality392is useful in determining that a subscriber's bandwidth allocation used should be modified based on the fact the subscriber will not be able to utilize all of allocated the bandwidth because the signal quality it too low. Further, a signal to noise ratio can be used to estimate bit error ratio (“BER”), which in turn can be used to estimate retransmission rates that use additional bandwidth capacity.

In an embodiment spectrum allocation decision module254generates bandwidth allocation policy decisions based on subscriber characteristics, as shown in subscriber profile300. Spectrum allocation decision module254can include a library of decision algorithms that can use any combination of the subscriber characteristics identified in subscriber profile300to determine a bandwidth allocation policy decision.

In another embodiment spectrum allocation decision module254determines bandwidth allocation policy decisions based on subscriber characteristic and application service provider characteristics. When bandwidth allocation decision module254is determining a policy decision, an algorithm may be used in which the service provider characteristics may be used to override a subscriber's characteristics, or vice versa. For example, if a subscriber's entitlement level is bronze, while the service provider's entitlement level is gold, the gold entitlement level can be used to set the bandwidth allocated. Service provider characteristics may be obtained via service provider interface258, and/or stored in service provider profile database257.

FIG. 4provides a diagram of exemplary service provider characteristics for a particular service provider, according to an embodiment of the invention. Exemplary service profile information is illustrated as service table500. Service table550includes: an ID field, a service type field, an IP address field, a QoS upstream field, a QoS downstream field, and an entitlement field. These are exemplary fields, and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

ID field identifies the service. Service type field specifies the type of service. In the exemplary embodiment services types include, but are not limited to: RT, NonRT, conversational, audio, and video. It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that types of services are constantly expanding and can be incorporated into existing networks. IP address field indicates the IP address of the service that a subscriber is currently accessing, when applicable.

In the exemplary embodiment QoS upstream field specifies the amount of upstream bandwidth required by a service. It should be noted that QoS can also specify the optimal amount of bandwidth for a service. QoS upstream is useful when denying a user's request based on the fact that the subscriber's device cannot support the amount of bandwidth required by the service or the subscriber is not authorized to use the amount of downstream bandwidth required by the service.

In the exemplary embodiment QoS downstream field specifies the amount of downstream bandwidth required by a service. It should be noted that QoS can also specify the optimal amount of downstream bandwidth for a service. QoS upstream is useful when denying a user's request based on the fact that the subscriber's device cannot support the amount of downstream bandwidth required by the service or the subscriber is not authorized to use the amount of downstream bandwidth required by the service.

The entitlement field specifies the level of entitlement of a service. These entitlements are similar to the user entitlement described above, but are assigned to services. However, it should be noted that service entitlements can be obtained by a service provider paying the network provider for the entitlement. For example, if one type of video service wishes to be entitled over a competitor video service, the service provider can pay the network provider an entitlement fee. In this way the video service will have a greater likelihood of providing subscribers access when a conflict exists, such that system bandwidth is limited.

In an embodiment bandwidth allocation decision module254dynamically updates a bandwidth allocation policy decision for an ongoing service session based on changes in the subscriber or application service provider characteristics, wherein the updated bandwidth allocation policy decision is transmitted to a radio access network during a service session.

Information regarding applications and service providers providing those applications can be provided through service provider interface258. Service provider interface258enables radio spectrum policy management server250to be communicatively coupled to one or more service providers that provide applications to subscribers. During the development of a policy decision following a service request, radio spectrum policy management server250can interact with an application service provider through the service provider interface258to receive and consider quality of service requests from a service provider.

Radio spectrum policy management server250can access subscriber profile database256to receive entitlement and subscriber information. In an embodiment, radio spectrum policy management server250is pre-provisioned with default subscriber and service profiles based on regionalization. Radio spectrum policy management server250can be a new network element or an existing element behind the core network.

Radio spectrum policy management server250can interface with the radio spectrum management server240via an AAA protocol such as Radius or Diameter. Radio spectrum policy management server250can interface with an edge server of the Core network and a bearer monitoring server such as a deep packet inspection (“DPI”) a AAA protocol such as, Radius or Diameter or a Real-time simple control protocol such as, common open policy service (“COPS”) COPS. Radio spectrum policy management server250can decide on actions to be sent to the core network edge server and/or a bearer monitoring server in terms of AAA protocol commands (e.g., change QoS, stop service, etc.). Radio spectrum policy management server250can decide on the actions to be sent to radio spectrum management server240in terms of AAA commands (change service, change queuing priority, etc.).

In an alternative embodiment, radio spectrum management system250may also include a subscriber usage analysis module255that analyzes subscriber usage information to predict spectrum allocation needs based on per subscriber service tier information.

Subscriber usage analysis module255provides a method for radio spectrum allocation that includes tracking and recording subscriber service usage related to service types and geographic use. This information is then analyzed to generate radio spectrum deployment plans based on the analyzed subscriber service usage information. By contrast, current spectrum allocation is based on the number of devices and geography without knowledge of specific subscriber requirements.

FIG. 5provides a method500for allocating radio spectrum for a subscriber within a wireless network, according to an embodiment of the invention. Method500begins in step510.

In step510radio spectrum gateway220allocates minimal spectrum to allow association/authentication/authorization request from the subscriber's mobile device (e.g., mobile device110).

In step520, mobile device110sends an association/authentication/authorization request to radio spectrum management server240which contains encrypted authentication information to identify the subscriber and the device type.

In step530, radio spectrum management server240forwards the authentication request to radio spectrum policy management server250.

In step540, radio spectrum policy management server250uses the subscriber authentication results and device information to decide on the required service level of the subscriber and forwards the bandwidth allocation policy decision to radio spectrum management server240.

In step550radio spectrum management server240carries out resource admission based on the received bandwidth allocation policy decision and defines subscriber spectrum parameters and required diffserv markings for end-to-end QOS allocation and forwards this decision to radio spectrum gateway220.

In step560radio spectrum gateway220adjusts the radio spectrum allocation accordingly on the radio side and marks the IP packets with diffserv markings on the non-radio side for packet forwarding to edge and other network routers.

In step570session termination (by either network or device) is detected by radio spectrum gateway220. In steps580and590, information related to the call (time, duration, service level) is forwarded to radio spectrum management server240and radio spectrum policy management server250. Radio spectrum policy management server250stores the call usage information for use by the subscriber usage analysis module for future spectrum planning and policy decisions.

FIG. 6provides a diagram of a method of dynamic bandwidth allocation based on subscriber profile information and service profile information, according to an embodiment of the invention. Method600can be implemented in a signaling/data plane device.

Method600begins in step602. In step602a subscriber connected to a RAN makes a request that requires more bandwidth than the amount of bandwidth currently being allocated to the subscriber. For example, if a subscriber is only allocated enough downstream bandwidth to support a voice conversation and the subscriber wishes to stream video, a new demand is created.

In step604a determination is made based on the subscriber characteristics whether the service being requested includes a service that the subscriber is allowed to use, if the subscriber's device supports the service, and if the current RAN supports the service. If any these authorization/support conditions are false method600continues to step616. In step616the request is denied. Step604provides a way to end the processing of a subscriber's request based on the fact that there is no further need to process a subscriber's request when the request cannot be supported or is not authorized. If all of the authorization/support conditions are true, method600continues to step606.

In step606a determination is made whether there is sufficient available bandwidth to support the subscriber's request. That is, a determination is made whether granting the subscriber's request would make the total allocated bandwidth of the network greater that a bandwidth threshold. In embodiments, such a determination may be made in either radio spectrum management server240, radio spectrum policy management server250or in a combination of the two. It should be noted, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that this threshold can be based on probability models associated with network traffic such that a likely amount of traffic at the time of the request can be supported. If there is sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the request, method600continues to step618. In step618, the request is permitted and a policy decision is generated to make available the requested bandwidth. Alternatively, upon a determination that bandwidth is available, method600may evaluate whether the requested bandwidth should be authorized based on the subscriber characteristics and/or service provider characteristics.

If a determination is made in step606that there is insufficient bandwidth available to adequately support the request, method600continues to step608.

In step608the signal qualities of one or more subscribers accessing a RAN at the time of the request can be evaluated to determine if bandwidth can be reallocated to the subscriber making the request. For example, if the signal to noise ratio has increased sufficiently for another subscriber since bandwidth was initially allocated to the subscriber, it is likely that the subscriber will not be able to use the services for which the bandwidth was initially allocated. In this case, network bandwidth can be more efficiently used by reallocating the bandwidth to subscribers that will be able to effectively use the bandwidth. Bandwidth can be reallocated from one or more subscribers to the subscriber making the request. In an embodiment, step608is implemented in radio spectrum policy management server250. Step608can be performed for a single subscriber before step610and subsequently repeated as necessary after step610.

In step610a determination is made whether there is sufficient available bandwidth to support the subscriber's request. The determination made at step610is similar to the determination made at step606. If there is sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the request, method600continues to step618, and the bandwidth request is granted. If there is not sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the request, method600continues to step612. It should be noted that steps608and610can be repeated as appropriate before method600continues to step612.

In step612subscriber and/or service provider characteristics, such as, for example, entitlements, satisfaction levels, and previous flows of subscribers accessing the RAN can be analyzed along with the entitlements of services being accessed by the subscribers to determine whether bandwidth should be allocated to the subscriber making a new request. In an embodiment the policy decision analysis can involve quantizing entitlements, satisfaction levels, previous flows of subscribers accessing the RAN, and the entitlements of services being accessed by the subscribers and placing these factors into a weighted sum to generate a score for the subscribers accessing the network. Subscriber scores can be compared accordingly to reallocate bandwidth to the subscriber making the new request, and adjusting other subscriber's bandwidth allocations appropriately. In an embodiment, step612is implemented within radio spectrum policy management server250. It should be noted that step612can be performed for a single subscriber before step614and subsequently repeated as necessary after step614.

In step614a determination is made whether there is sufficient available bandwidth to support the subscriber's request. The determination made at step614is similar to the determination made at step606. If there is sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the request, method600continues to step618. If there is not sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the request, method600continues to step612. It should be noted that steps608and610can be repeated as appropriate before method600continues to step612.

In step616the subscriber's new request is denied. In an embodiment, the subscriber is notified as to why the request was denied.

In step618the subscriber's new request is admitted. In step620method600ends. While method600identifies determinations608and612occurring serially, each of these determinations can be made independently or in any order.

Computer System Implementation

In an embodiment of the present invention, the methods and systems of the present invention described herein are implemented using well known computers, such as a computer700shown inFIG. 7. The computer700can be any commercially available and well known computer or server capable of performing the functions described herein, such as computers available from International Business Machines, Apple, Sun, HP, Dell, etc.

Computer700includes one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as processor710. Processor700is connected to communication bus720. Computer700also includes a main or primary memory730, preferably random access memory (RAM). Primary memory730has stored therein control logic (computer software), and data.

Computer700may also include one or more secondary storage devices740. Secondary storage devices740include, for example, hard disk drive750and/or removable storage device or drive760. Removable storage drive760represents a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup, ZIP drive, JAZZ drive, etc.

Removable storage drive760interacts with removable storage unit770. As will be appreciated, removable storage unit760includes a computer usable or readable storage medium having stored therein computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage drive760reads from and/or writes to the removable storage unit770in a well known manner.

Removable storage unit770, also called a program storage device or a computer program product, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, optical storage disk, ZIP disk, JAZZ disk/tape, or any other computer data storage device. Program storage devices or computer program products also include any device in which computer programs can be stored, such as hard drives, ROM or memory cards, etc.

In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to computer program products or program storage devices having software that enables computer700, or multiple computer700s to perform any combination of the functions described herein

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory730and/or the secondary storage devices740. Such computer programs, when executed, direct computer700to perform the functions of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable processor710to perform the functions of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer700.

Computer700further includes a communication or network interface790. Network interface790enables computer700to communicate with remote devices. For example, network interface790allows computer700to communicate over communication networks, such as LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Network interface790may interface with remote sites or networks via wired or wireless connections. Computer700receives data and/or computer programs via network interface790. The electrical/magnetic signals having contained therein data and/or computer programs received or transmitted by the computer700via interface790also represent computer program product(s).

The invention can work with software, hardware, and operating system implementations other than those described herein. Any software, hardware, and operating system implementations suitable for performing the functions described herein can be used.

CONCLUSION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented. The invention is not limited to these examples. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks and method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.