| NSF Org: |
CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 21, 2014 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 21, 2014 |
| Award Number: | 1420881 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Thyagarajan Nandagopal
CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems CSE Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2014 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2017 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $248,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $248,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1500 ILLINOIS ST GOLDEN CO US 80401-1887 (303)273-3000 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1500 Illinois St Golden CO US 80401-1887 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Networking Technology and Syst |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.070 |
ABSTRACT
An intriguing fact emerges during the study of spectrum usage. On one hand, the proliferation of wireless devices, e.g. smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and bandwidth-hungry applications has resulted in the problem of spectrum scarcity. On the other hand, a recent report by FCC reveals that the licensed users are extremely underutilizing the allocated spectrum. To remove the barriers to efficient spectrum utilization, this project aims to 1) design effective spectrum allocation algorithms to allow as many secondary users (SUs) to coexist with the primary user (PU) as possible while taking into account the interference generated by both SUs and PU; and 2) develop incentive mechanisms for enticing spectrum licensees to share or license their under-utilized spectrum for better utilization. While designing spectrum allocation schemes, the physical interference model is adopted to characterize the interference closely to reality. Joint optimization of spectrum allocation and power control is explored to further improve the spectrum utilization. This can lead to efficient approximation algorithms with guaranteed performance comparing with the optimum, as well as effective heuristic algorithms. Another major task of this project is to design incentive auctions for enticing spectrum licensees to share their spectrum with unlicensed users in exchange for the proceeds from the auction. Three different application scenarios are investigated: 1) the spectrum holder is willing to coexist with the unlicensed users under the condition that the cumulative interference caused by them does not interrupt its own transmission; 2) small network operators are allowed to form groups for collective buying power to increase their chances of winning the spectrum; and 3) the competition among multiple spectrum licensees is considered.
This research can help ensure wireless networks in the USA keep pace with the continuously increasing demand for spectrum, so that they can support activities that increasingly rely on them, including public safety and health-care. The designed group-buying based incentive auctions can provide opportunities for small businesses to compete against big brand companies and win the access to desired spectrum that is essential to the success of their business. These small businesses are the engines of job creation and economic growth for the country. This project involves under-represented and minority students, as well as K-12 students to inspire their interests in science and engineering.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The proliferation of wireless devices, e.g. smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and bandwidth hungry applications drives the demand for spectrum to increase rapidly and has resulted in the severe problem of spectrum scarcity. However, the Federal CommunicationCommission (FCC) found that the licensed users are extremely underutilizing the allocated spectrum, as shown in Figure 1. To exploit the underutilized spectrum, an architecture has been proposed to allow the licensed users, called primary users (PUs), to share their assigned spectrum with other unlicensed users, called secondary users (SUs). The objective of this project is to develop efficient spectrum allocation algorithms to maximize the spectrum utilization under the physical interference model and design incentive auctions to entice the PUs into sharing their licensed spectrum with the SUs.
This research made significant advances in the area of spectrum sharing. Specific outcomes include 1) effective spectrum allocation algorithms to allow as many SUs to coexist with the PU as possible while taking into account the interference generated by both SUs and PU; and 2) incentive mechanisms for enticing spectrum licensees to share or license their under-utilized spectrum for better utilization. Two different application scenarios have been investigated: 1) the spectrum holder is willing to coexist with the unlicensed users under the condition that the cumulative interference caused by them does not interrupt its own transmission; and 2) small network operators are allowed to form groups for collective buying power to increase their chances of winning the spectrum, as shown in Figure 2.
The outcomes have been made available to research community through high quality journal articles and conference presentations. The research has resulted in 4 journal papers and 3 conference papers.
The proposed research activities have complemented and enriched the growing curriculum on game theory and optimization at Colorado School of Mines and Arizona State University through course development and special topic seminars.
Highly skilled personnel in related areas have been trained in carrying out the proposed research tasks. Special efforts have been made to engage minority and underrepresented groups. Two female Ph.D. students, Ming Li and Yuhui Zhang have been involved in this project at Colorado School of Mines. A hispanic undergraduate student also gained experience viaparticipation of this project. Therefore, this project also played a role in the integration of under-represented groups to the scientific community.
Last Modified: 10/28/2017
Modified by: Dejun Yang
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