Self-configurable wireless systems: spectrum monitoring in a layered configuration

As wireless mobile communication becomes a necessary part of our lives, a wide range of public and private spaces are likely to house extensions of the conventional cellular system in the form of overlay systems. A layered configuration offers a practical way to maintain continuity between outdoor and indoor communication. We address the problem of coordinating RF use of different wireless communications systems sharing the same RF spectrum in a layered configuration. We propose an arrangement that relies on signal strength measurements collected during system operation. Call throughput is provided to the overlay system without diminishing the call-handling capacity of the primary system, thus resulting in a net increase in call throughput for the combined system. In the proposed arrangement, there is no need for advance planning. No regularity requirements are imposed on the grid of cells or on the RF re-use pattern. We analyze the associated statistical quality management issues