IoT Connectivity in Radar Bands: A Shared Access Model Based on Spectrum Measurements

Abstract

To address the challenge of more spectrum for the Internet-of-things (IoT) connectivity, this paper proposes a shared access (SA) framework with rotating radars. The proposed framework is based on the results of our measurement campaign in which we measured spectrum usage patterns and signal characteristics of three different ground-based fixed rotating radar systems near Oulu, Finland. In our work, we review different IoT protocols and their use of licensed or unlicensed spectrum. We make the case that IoT systems generate much data which cannot be accommodated with licensed/unlicensed spectrum, which already suffer from congestion. We identify the suitability of shared access between different rotating radars and IoT networks. We then present a zone-based SA framework in rotating radar spectrum for the operators providing IoT services, highlight its benefits, and also specify challenges in its implementation. To fully develop the considered zone-based SA method that ensures coexistence of IoT devices with no harmful interference to the rotating radars, we propose an Radio Environment Map (REM)-enabled architecture for the SA. The proposed architecture provides principles and rules for using the SA for the IoTs, and it does not require modifications in the incumbent radar systems.

Survey of Spectrum Sharing for Inter-Technology Coexistence

“…4) Radar Bands: The authors in [83] reviewed the spectrum sharing techniques imposed by regulators for LTE (but also valid for any other technology) to coexist with radars in the 5 GHz band. The work in [84] proposed coexistence of IoT and rotating radars through an SAS with radio environmental maps, which shared the spectrum in frequency, time, and space. Results from a measurement campaign on spectrum usage by rotating radars was presented, in order to show the coexistence potential with IoT.…”

Distributed Wideband Sensing-Based Architecture for Unlicensed Massive IoT Communications

“…In this work, we propose a truly distributed sensing algorithm, where cooperating scanners can arrive at different decisions, capturing the spatial variations of incumbents' footprints. Finally, the authors in [27] propose the use of radio environment maps (REMs) so that different IoT networks share the spectrum with rotating radars. The framework, however, requires radar operators to share radar locations and operations with a REM repository.…”

“…In this section, we show that the weights w k,m can be interpreted as a REM as they capture the variations of received energies over space. REMs can be useful to study the coverage of a network, to optimize spectrum utilization and management, and to improve coexistence of different networks [27], [42].…”

Spectrum Inference in Cognitive Radio Networks: Algorithms and Applications

“…For instance, FCC issued a report and order in 2015, adopting rules for the commercial use of 150 MHz of spectrum in the 3550-3700 MHz band (known as 3.5 GHz band), where the primary user is the US Department of Defense (DoD) radar systems. There are relatively few studies on the spectrum measurements in the new bands [285]- [287]. Interestingly, spectrum sharing between the incumbent radar systems and the Internet of Things devices or secondary WiFi networks have been recently studied in [287]- [289].…”

“…There are relatively few studies on the spectrum measurements in the new bands [285]- [287]. Interestingly, spectrum sharing between the incumbent radar systems and the Internet of Things devices or secondary WiFi networks have been recently studied in [287]- [289].…”