Millimeter-Wave Spectrum Utilization Improvement in Multi-Operator Networks: A Framework Using the Equal Likelihood Criterion

Abstract

In this paper, we present a framework to give a comprehensive review of how to improve the spectrum utilization of millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems using indoor small cells in multi-operator network scenarios. More specifically, the framework concerns with the improvement of the utilization of the 28 GHz mmWave spectrum allocated to an arbitrary number of mobile network operators (MNOs) in a country using numerous spectrum allocation techniques, namely Static and Equal Spectrum Allocation (SESA), Flexible and Unequal Spectrum Allocation (FUSA), and Countrywide Full Spectrum Allocation (CFSA). A number of spectrum utilization improvement mechanisms such as spectrum trading, spectrum sharing, and spectrum reusing are then exploited into SESA, FUSA, and CFSA techniques in four majorinterconnected domains, including time, frequency, power, and space. Using the Equal Likelihood Criterion and the properties of left-justified Pascal's triangle, the average capacity, spectral efficiency (SE), and energy efficiency (EE) performance metrics for each spectrum allocation technique in each domain are derived. Extensive system-level numerical and simulation results and analyses are carried out to evaluate the performance of each technique in each domain for example scenario of a country with four MNOs. Overall, it is shown that, in the power-domain, CFSA outperforms SESA and FUSA (when operating either at the interweave or at the underlay spectrum access technique), whereas, in the time-domain and frequency-domain, SESA and FUSA outperform CFSA, in terms of the average capacity, SE, and EE. Finally, we show that CFSA in the power-domain outperforms SESA and FUSA operating in any domain to achieve the prospective SE and EE requirements for the sixth generation (6G) mobile networks.

Dynamic Allocation and Sharing of Millimeter-Wave Spectrum with Indoor Small Cells in Multioperator Environments toward 6G

“…Declaration. Note that some of the materials of this article may be found similar or merged with our previous works, notably [4,5,28,29] and [31], in terms of texts, notations, abbreviations, equations, figures, and tables. However, the scope of problems, proposed contributions, key features, novelty, and technical contents of this article with those mentioned above are different.…”

“…We show clearly the effectiveness of the proposed technique with an example scenario in this article. Finally, with regard to [31], the basic difference is that [31] is a review paper, unlike this research article. In fact, in [31], we provide a comprehensive review of our recent numerous works on dynamic spectrum sharing, including this article.…”

“…Finally, with regard to [31], the basic difference is that [31] is a review paper, unlike this research article. In fact, in [31], we provide a comprehensive review of our recent numerous works on dynamic spectrum sharing, including this article. Unlike [31], our goal in this article is to give detailed modeling and analysis on the proposed technique, which we simply referred to in [31] like our other published papers.…”

“…In fact, in [31], we provide a comprehensive review of our recent numerous works on dynamic spectrum sharing, including this article. Unlike [31], our goal in this article is to give detailed modeling and analysis on the proposed technique, which we simply referred to in [31] like our other published papers. Hence, there is, basically, no clear way to compare this article with [31].…”

“…Unlike [31], our goal in this article is to give detailed modeling and analysis on the proposed technique, which we simply referred to in [31] like our other published papers. Hence, there is, basically, no clear way to compare this article with [31]. is article was in fact under preparation, while [31] was published and is just a review part of [31] that we used in it for completeness.…”