Whitespace Networks Relying on Dynamic Control Channels

Abstract

The emergence of whitespace networks, and whitespace communications in general, provides an opportunity to, at least partially, meet the ever-growing demand for mobile data communication. Most of the whitespace network solutions proposed so far realize coordination and rendezvous over licensed or unlicensed spectrum. In this paper we propose a protocol for networks that rely solely on whitespace spectrum. The proposed protocol allows both communication to the broader network (via the access point) and direct device-to-device links over whitespaces. To showcase the capabilities of the proposed solution we have implemented a proof-of-concept software defined radio experiment. Using the experimental platform we have evaluated the overheads of whitespace operation, which come in the form of an extra delay in association and a throughput loss of around 15% of that achievable with licensed spectrum. Our goal is to provide the groundwork for future radio systems that will operate in whitespace spectrum.