Background

Spectrum availability has always been one of the limiting factors to the development of wireless access networks for different applications and for the improvement of their performance. Spectrum regulations around the world have mainly considered two options: 1) unlicensed spectrum with regulated access rules, and 2) licensed spectrum for mobile radio networks. These two extreme approaches have lead to the well known development of different technologies, like WiFi, narrowband short range (Zigbee, Bluetooth, etc.) and narrowband long range (LoRA WAN, SigFox, WBUS, etc.) for the unlicensed spectrum, and 3GPP technologies (from 2G to 5G) for the licensed spectrum. The inefficient use of spectrum produced by these traditional strategies has generated a large number of research studies proposing shared spectrum approaches in the last 15-20 years. Unfortunately, spectrum sharing idea has not been similarly successful in the real world with rather limited implementations in regulations (with notable examples like CBRS spectrum in US, 6GHz spectrum use for local area networks in different countries, “club use” of the 26 GHz spectrum in Italy, and others).

The first years of 5G deployment and the growing interest for Non Public Network (NPN) 5G networks for mainly business applications (but not only) have shown that the spectrum availability is a crucial aspect for the development of applications different from the classical customer mass market. In this context, licensing strategies based on local use like that adopted by Germany in the 3.6 GHz band have been well received by a number of players implementing digital transformation processes in vertical sectors.

In this scenario, international authorities, including the European Commission, are regaining interest in investigating new sharing approaches for making available new spectrum portions that are being freed by other services or that are becoming available for access due to the improvement of high frequency technology.

Thesis goals

The goal of the thesis is that of designing new spectrum sharing schemes able to satisfy the needs of advanced wireless access for business applications, considering both the technical challenges and the economic tradeoffs associated to the possible benefits in the digital transformation process.

To this purpose possible approaches will be based on optimization and/or simulation methodologies able to embrace both technical and economic aspects. If needed, game theoretical methods will be considered. Operational management techniques and procedures will also be studied in depth, as well as the possible role of public authorities.

Institutional collaboration

Considering the strategic relevance of the topic and the interest for future trends in regulation at national and European level, the thesis will be supported by AGCOM, the Italian Regulation Authority for Telecommunications, with high level advising to students and regular meetings for information exchange.

Students

Considering the intrinsic multidisciplinary nature of the problems involved, the thesis proposal is offered to a two-student team:

• 1 student from Telecommunications Engineering or Computer Science and Engineering
• 1 student from Management Engineering

References

• European Commission: MANDATE TO CEPT ON TECHNICAL CONDITIONS REGARDING THE SHARED USE OF THE 3.8-4.2 GHZ FREQUENCY BAND FOR TERRESTRIAL WIRELESS BROADBAND SYSTEMS PROVIDING LOCAL-AREA NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IN THE UNION, 16/12/2021.
• European Commission, DG Connect, Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG): Report on Spectrum Sharing A forward-looking survey. 10/02/2021.
• European Commission, DG Connect, Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG): Opinion on Spectrum Sharing – Pioneer initiatives and bands, 16/06/2021.

For more information:

Students of Management Engineering can contact prof. Giovanni Miragliotta (giovanni.miragliotta@polimi.it)

Students of Telecommunication Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering can contact prof. Antonio Capone (antonio.capone@polimi.it) and prof. Ilario Filippini (ilario.filippini@polimi.it)