Field trial of Licensed Shared Access (LSA) with enhanced LTE resource optimization and incumbent protection

We present an end-to-end ecosystem trial of the Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept using a live LTE network sharing the 2.3 GHz band with incumbent wireless cameras. The entire LSA concept is implemented introducing LTE network as an additional licensed user in the band with the aid of an LSA Repository for spectrum availability information from wireless cameras and an LSA Controller for managing the LTE network. The trial goes beyond previous LSA demos by presenting enhanced LSA resource optimization with LSA Controller that is integrated into a real network management system to coordinate a heterogeneous network of macro and small cells. Enhanced incumbent protection is provided with algorithms for tracking a moving incumbent and considering aggregate interference from the LTE network to incumbent. Trial gives a unique opportunity to see live how a commercial LTE network adapts transmissions on the fly according to the location of the incumbent. Small cells are shown to improve the LSA resource use as the enhanced incumbent protection algorithm can allow small cells to continue operations in situation where macro cells need to close down.