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IEEE 802.22 Standard Approved for White Space Development

Hsien-Tang Ko, Chien-Hsun Lee, and Nan-Shiun Chu
Abstract The 802.22 Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRAN) standard was formally approved on July 22, 2011. The new standard will operate in the UHF and VHF spectrum used for broadcasting, and will support single-channel 22 Mbps broadband wireless access with a theoretical range of up to 100 km. The 802.22 technology will be particularly suitable for areas with low population density and avoid the interference with terrestrial TV broadcast signals. To optimize spectrum utilization, the UK and US have been actively examining ways of exploiting the unused "White Space" in the TV spectrum. The passing of the 802.22 standard is expected to accelerate the development of "White Space" applications such as remote area communications, IoT communications, and emergency disaster communications. Index Terms802.22, WRAN, White Space, Cognitive Radio

1 INTRODUCTION
The 802.22 standard will use the UHF/VHF TV bands between 54 MHz ~ 862 MHz, support 6, 7 and 8 MHz bandwidth, use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and 64 QAM modulation technology, and reach a peak data rate of 22.69 MB/s (per channel) with up to 100 KM coverage. In actual practice, each base station using the 802.22 standard will be equipped with a GPS receiver so its exact location can be updated in real time to a centralized management system. The system then informs the base station of current local spectrum usage, allowing the base station to automatically detect and make use of vacant channel resources. Spectrum conflicts can therefore be avoided, further allowing for co-existence with equipment and services such as TV broadcasts and wireless microphones etc.

EEE 802.22 defines the standard for Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRAN) and mainly applies to "White Space" in the TV spectrum. The development of the 802.22 standard was based on the use of Cognitive Radio technology and is designed to share unused broadcasting spectrum without interference. It is now a universal global standard that can be used to deliver broadband access to remote areas with a low population density. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) [1] in May, 2004, that would allow cognitive radio technology to make use of unassigned wireless resources in the TV spectrum without affecting authorized owners. The proposed rule relaxed regulations on the use of cognitive radio technology and opened a new page for White Space development. TABLE 1 802.22 STANDARD [2] Feature IEEE 802.22
Air Interface OFDMA Channel Profile MHz Burst Allocation Subcarrier Permutation Robustness to delay spread FFT Mode Sampling Frequency (MHz) Subcarrier Spacing (KHz) Useful Symbol Time (1/_f) (sec) Max CP Time (sec) Peak Data Rate (Mbps) OFDMA 6, 7, or 8 one per regulatory domain Linear Distributed with enhanced interleaver Strong CP= 74.7 sec 2048 6.9 3.3 298.7 74.7 22.7

2 WHITE SPACE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE US AND UK

The spectrum available for commercial use is limited. The rapid development of wireless and mobile broadband services today have only made spectrum even more scarce, so governments are looking for more effective ways to utilize this resource. Advances in digital technology means that the transition from analog to digital TV broadcasting will allow the same bandwidth to carry more services. Time and regional differences among broadcasters, however, may lead to different levels of spectrum utilization. The vacant spectrum is referred to as "TV White Space". If improvement in cognitive technology can make more effective use of the vacant spectrum, more opportunities will be created for the information & communications technology (ICT) industries. Many countries are therefore developing ways to open the White Space up for use.

In response, the IEEE set up the IEEE 802.22 WRAN working group in October 2010 of the following year and formally approved the 802.22 standard in July, 2011 [3].

Hsien-Tang Ko is with the Industry Development Augmentation at the Institute for Information Industry (III), Taipei, Taiwan 106. Chien-Hsun Lee is with the Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute at the Institute for Information Industry (III), Taipei, Taiwan 106. Nan-Shiun Chu is with the Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute at the Institute for Information Industry (III), Taipei, Taiwan 106.

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2.1 United States

The degree of TV spectrum vacancy varies with different regions and time duration. As spectrum below 900MHz has excellent transmission capability, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began studying the feasibility of reusing TV White Space in 2002. Since White Space channels are already used by TV broadcasting service and wireless microphone, many operators raised concerns about the interference problem between existing services and White Space utilization. Therefore, avoiding interference has become the focus of development efforts. On November 4, 2008, the FCC issued a directive on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands and published the sharing policy for White Space in the US. [4] According to the rule, spectrum-sharing "TV Bands Devices (TVBDs)" including fixed and personal/portable devices are mandatory to incorporate geolocating, spectrum sensing and database access functions. The new rules represented the first official approval for TV White Space applications in the US. From October, 2009, onwards, the FCC issued 4 licenses for White Space trials including (1) High-speed broadband access in Claudville, Virginia; (2) Smart City infrastructure in Washington, North Carolina; (3) Partnership of Plumas-Sierra County and Google to use TV White Space for setting up an experimental smart grid network; and (4) Broadband access and telemedicine in Logan, Ohio.

Global LLC, Neustar, Spectrum Bridge, Telcordia Technologies, and WSdb LLC [7] as the database administrators in January, 2011. The database administrators were required to help define the basic operating rules, to coordinate with the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) on research and testing, to establish the technical standards and conduct database pretests in order to avoid wireless signal interference.

2.2 UK
In its "Digital Dividend Review" published in December, 2007, the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) reported that the recovery of analog TV radio spectrum in 2012 is expected to release 368MHz. Amongst the released spectrum, 256MHz will be reserved for digital TV broadcasting while 112MHz, the remaining clear spectrum, will be the core of UK's digital dividend and make available to emerging services such as mobile broadband and mobile TV. Based on the observation of how digital TV services operate, much of the allocated 256MHz spectrum will be held in reserve or not fully utilized, resulting in the socalled "Interleaved Spectrum". Ofcom suggests making the interleaved spectrum available for unlicensed use such as cognitive radio services as long as those services do not interfere with the operation of existing license holders. To ensure effective use of interleaved TV spectrum however, Ofcom still went ahead with public auctions. As only existing TV operators took part in the auctions, the vacant spectrum was not truly applied to emerging services and failed to realize the goal of stimulating industrial development. For this reason, Ofcom re-asserted in its July 2009 "Digital Dividend: Cognitive Access" report [8]that White Space will be made available for cognitive radio technology with no license required.

Fig.1 US White Space channel distribution [5]

Based on empirical testing from these projects, the FCC updated its 2008 directive in September, 2010. Key changes were as follow [6]: 1. Two UHF channels (14 and 51) were set aside for wireless microphone and low-power auxiliary services. 2. TVBDs must be equipped with geolocation, database but spectrum sensing functions. 3. Private operators and users may be charged an access fee for the database management. As the spectrum database lies at the core of White Space operations, the FCC needs to define the relevant White Space information before related products and services are officially launched. As a result, the FCC conditionally designated 9 companies including Comsearch, Frequency Finder, Google, KB Enterprises LLC and LS Telcom, Key Bridge

Fig.2. UK UHF Spectrum Plan [9]

In June, 2011, Ofcom agreed to establish the Cambridge TV White Spaces Consortium [10], which was made up of Microsoft, BBC, BSkyB, BT, Neul, Nokia, Samsung, Cambridge Consultants, Spectrum Bridge Inc. and TTP, to conduct a White Space service trial in Cambridge, UK. Interleaved spectrum among TV channels was applied to stream audio-video content from BBC and BSkyB through mobile devices provided by Nokia and Samsung. The purpose of the trial was to validate that this technology could co-exist with services without interference.

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3 FUTURE TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

3.1 Trends in Application Development 3.1.1 Wireless Broadband Network Solution for Remote Regions
In the UK for example, BT estimated that 15% of UK residents (approximately 2.75 million households) could not have broadband access (over 2Mbit/s). By utilizing TV White Space, the residential broadband access coverage can be increased around 25% (or 687,000 households), or as high as one million households in practice. Furthermore, approximate 30% of EU households are also with poor broadband connection. [11] Broadband infrastructure in remote regions has always been a problem for governments and telcos to solve. Nevertheless, the rollout and operating costs for solutions based on fixed line connection (FTTx, xDSL, Cable Modem etc.) or wireless access (e.g. 3G/4G, WiMAX and Wi-Fi) were all too high to be profitable. Most operators are reluctant to provide broadband service in remote regions without government subsidies.

devices and boost their marketing effects. Advertisers can also lower their operating costs by using White Space to transmit updates in real-time to electronic signage. These applications may not be considered innovative and have all been proposed before. However, the use of White Space and related technologies provide vendors with a more flexible and cost-effective solution that should lead to a more profitable business model.

3.2 Challenges for Industrial Development 3.2.1 Spectrum Planning in Each Country
Differences in local conditions and spectrum usage mean that each country has taken a different approach to White Space adoption. UK and the US, for example, have decided to make White Space available for unlicensed use after extensive research and testing. Japan however, is leaning towards a secondary spectrum transaction approach that the spectrum owners such as broadcaster can resell or lease their vacant spectrum to users. Differences in how the license is issued will decide the entry threshold for the industry. While an unlicensed approach will help industry development, it may also lead to chaos without effective management and industry self-regulation. Adopting a secondary spectrum transaction model will generate new spectrum brokering and transaction opportunities from both long/short-term leasing and resale as well as boost the utilization of vacant spectrum.

3.1.2 Internet of things (IoT) Applications

IoT has been one of the key areas of development in the ICT industry in recent years. The future development of IoT applications such as smart transportation, telemedicine, smart grid, and surveillance and terminal transmission technologies such as ZigBee and RFID have all attracted strong commercial interest. Most of the feedback mechanisms for collected data require the wired or wireless networks operated by telcos however. Unless the service is promoted by the telco itself, the cost of leasing the feedback network becomes a very heavy burden. The rollout of White Space networks may effectively reduce the cost of network leased and offer greater flexibility in actual use.

3.2.2 Geolocation System

Geolocation (e.g. GPS) is one of the key functions of White Space terminal devices. The device must identify and report its location to the backend database, so the database can notify the device what channels are available at its location. One of the inherent limitations of GPS is the poor indoor or obstacle crossing reception. This greatly hampers the accuracy of current location interpretation and will be particularly acute for personal mobile/portable devices. Integrating a spectrum sensing function may alleviate the geolocation problem but will greatly increase the manufacturing cost and then hamper service adoption. Hence, a simple and cost-effective auxiliary geolocation solution is what the industry urgently needs to provide today.

3.1.3 Emergency Disaster Communications

When the March 11 earthquake disrupted most communications networks in Japan, the critical wide coverage of TV spectrum could keep residents in the disaster area continually informed through the 1-seg mobile TV system. In the past, broadcast TV channels used for emergency disaster notification systems emphasized one-way dissemination of information. If the system can incorporate the bi-directional data transfer of White Space, a transmission platform could be quickly set up at disaster sites to accelerate the flow of disaster information and the process of disaster response.

3.2.3 Spectrum and Geolocation Database

The preferred approach to White Space detection and application for spectrum regulators and the industry has switched from spectrum sensing to the database model. Once a unified national spectrum and geolocation database is established, it can be made available to fixed and personal mobile/portable devices. It can also be used for other fields such as radar spectrum sharing, femtocell operation and even temporary sharing of 3G/4G spectrum among mobile operators, for example, telecos may reuse their vacant 3G/4G spectrum in remote area by leasing or resale as the White Space approach, creating new business models and opportunities. The construction of spectrum and geolocation databases has therefore become an important issue. The content of the database will mainly consist of local spectrum usage and geolocation information. Apart from information on local broadcast spectrum usage, most data

3.1.4 Integrated Applications for Heterogeneous Broadcast/Mobile Networks

Most governments plan to assign their recovered analog TV spectrum to emerging services such as digital TV, nextgeneration mobile communications and mobile TV. The existence of White Space opens up new development possibilities for broadcasting, mobile and even emerging service providers such as Femtocell data offloading, broadcast TV feedback, broadcasting/mobile multimedia services, mobile advertising, electronic signage and mobile commerce. For example, physical stores can use White Space to broadcast their advertisements and promotions to all kinds of mobile

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will need to be provided by the terminal equipment. The available spectrum and recommended power output is sent back to the terminal device. As the terminal device must periodically update geolocational data to avoid interference, the setting of the refresh frequency becomes extremely important. Data security and authentication are other key areas of development. The industry still needs to devise a way to prevent fake database and geolocation data from undermining information integrity. The US and UK governments both plan to transfer the responsibility of database setup and management to the private sector and this is a sought-after role for major international vendors. While not requiring a license indicates the government and operators may not collect fees from releasing or leasing the spectrum, the establishment of database by private sector may offer a source of revenue and create promising business opportunities in future White Space applications.

3.2.4 Competing Technologies

Before White Space deregulation brings new possibilities for the communications industry, the relevant technical standards must be established first. Careful thought must also be given to guaranteeing the interoperability and coexistence with different technologies. A plethora of different standards based on cognitive radio technology including IEEE 802.22, IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.16h, IEEE 802.19, IEEE P1900/SCC41, ECMA-392 and ETSI RSS (Reconfigurable Radio Systems) has presented an immense market potential of different applications. Most of these standards have now been formally adopted. When compared to other standards, 802.22 is developed specifically for the TV spectrum and makes more effective use by taking advantage of the UHF/VHF spectrum. The approval of the standard does not necessarily mean that 802.22 will dominate the White Space market however. The standard has been in development since 2004, and such a long gestation process raises doubts about the marketability and future potential. As no alliance or forum has been formed to back this standard to date, many obstacles remain to overcome. The latest entry to the field is the IEEE 802.11af standard supported by the Wi-Fi Alliance that is still under development; Wi-Fi 802.11x wireless transmission technology is finding an increasing range of applications and the jump in demand for network connectivity from terminal devices represents it has gradually become an influential standard feature of consumer electronic devices in the industry. A White Space standard derived from this approach can generate synergies from integration with existing 802.11x standards and may well become the greatest competitor of 802.22 standard in the future.

Operators have rushed to set up 3G, 3.5G and even 4G base stations in an effort to expand their mobile networks. The shortage in wireless spectrum has now become a problem as well. Expanding the wireless spectrum or making effective use of existing spectrum is therefore a key issue for governments and industry, hence the strong interest in reuse of TV White Space spectrum. Current White Space developments in the UK and US show that the shortage of wireless spectrum has led to increasing interest in cognitive radio development. It has also become an area with strong potential that most developed countries and vendors are already investing significant resources in. The reuse of TV White Space channels offers a new solution for governments and service providers. The long range and penetrating ability of broadcast TV spectrum imply that the number of base stations required can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, the use of unlicensed White Space access would not be charged high spectrum access fees as well. Finally, with further exploitation of White Space and the combination of broadband terminal technology and emerging applications, the break of spectrum boundary and the realization universal broadband service await to be seen.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research is supported by DTV Value-Added Services Development and Promotion Program awarded by IDB/MOEA(Industrial Development Bureau/ Ministry of Economic Affairs ,R.O.C.)

REFERENCES
[1] " In the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands and Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band," in FCC-04-113 NPRM.: FCC, 2004. [2] "Overview of the IEEE 802.22 Standard on Wireless Regional Area Networks (WRAN) and Core Technologies," in IEEE 802.22 standard. http://ieee802.org/22/Technology/: IEEE, 2010. [3] http://ieee802.org/22/: IEEE, 2011. [4] "In the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands and Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band," in FCC-08-260 Second Report and Order.: FCC, 2008. [5] "US White Space channel distribution," in United States TV White Spaces: Usage & Availability Analysis. http://spectrumbridge.com/Libraries/White_Papers/, US: Spectrum Bridge, 2010. [6] "In the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands and Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band," in FCC-10-174 SECOND MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER.: FCC, 2010. [7] " In the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands and Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz Band," in DA 11-131 Order.: FCC, 2011. [8] Digital Dividend: Cognitive Access.

4 CONCLUSION
Rapid changes and developments in the global ICT industry have seen broadband services become an indispensable part of daily life. The proliferation of smart mobile communications products in recent years, as well as multimedia applications, has led to a surge in demand for bandwidth.

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http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/cognitive/, UK: Ofcom, 2009. [9] "UK UHF Spectrum Plan," in Digital Dividend Review: A statement on our approach to awarding the digital dividend. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/ddr/: Ofcom, 2007. [10] " Leading UK Broadcasters and Technology Companies Form Consortium to Trial TV White Spaces Technology," Microsoft, 2011. [11] Dr Michael Fitch, "TV Whitespace," BT, http://www.leti.fr/fr/content/download/1185/18113/file/, 2011. Hsien-Tang Ko received an MBA degree from the National Taiwan University and Ph.D. degree from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Ko is currently a Director General of Industry Development Augmentation Division at the Institute for Information Industry (III) in Taiwan also is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Graduate Institute of Management at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Ko has joined the Institute for Information Industry (III) in Taiwan since 1984 and is responsible for stimulating Taiwans communications and DTV industry via technological development and industrial promotion now. His research work has appeared in journals such as Behaviour & Information Technology, Management Decision, The Service Industries Journal, International Journal of Digital Television, and Journal of Service Management. Chien-Hsun Lee received his Master's degree in industrial management from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He is currently a Senior Industry Analyst of Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute at the Institute for Information Industry (III) in Taiwan and participates in DTV Value-Added Services Development and Promotion Program since 2009 as a project team member . His research coverage includes enterprise VoIP, IP STB, cable STB and FTTx. Prior to joining MIC, Mr. Lee worked for eight years as a project systems engineer at Lucent, where he was responsible for telecom equipment project management, system integration and system maintenance. This involved areas such as GSM, switch, SDH, access systems and DWDM. He participated in KGT's GSM network deployment, NCIC fixed network deployment, and Chunghwa Telecom's switch upgrade project. Nan-Shiun Chu received MBA degree from The City University of New York, Baruch College. He is currently a Senior Industry Analyst & Senior Manager of Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute at the Institute for Information Industry (III) in Taiwan. Mr. Chu has joined the Telecom Applications Platform Development and Promotion Program Since 2007 and DTV Value-Added Services Development and Promotion Program since 2009, as a project team member and sub-project manager respectively. His research work has appeared in journals such as Behaviour & Information Technology, and International Journal of Digital Television.