# US 12,225,621 B2 · Spectrum usage protection in a shared wireless network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,225,621 B2 - Document ID: US12225621B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/211,606 - Filed: 2023-06-20 - Published: 2023-10-19 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-05 - Assignees: Charter Communications Operating, LLC - Applicants: Charter Communications Operating, LLC - Inventors: Abdulrauf Hafeez; Maulik V. Vaidya - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12225621B2 ## CPC - H04W 76/36: for reassigning the resources associated with the released connections - H04W 16/14: Spectrum sharing arrangements {between different networks} - H04W 28/0864: {of different hierarchy levels, e.g. Master Evolved Node B [MeNB] or Secondary Evolved node B [SeNB]} - H04W 28/20: Negotiating bandwidth - H04W 36/04: Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells - H04W 36/22: for handling the traffic - H04W 36/385: {of the core network} - H04W 48/06: based on traffic conditions - H04W 72/566: of the information or information source or recipient - H04W 76/22: Manipulation of transport tunnels - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract According to one configuration, multiple users in a tiered hierarchy share use of a wireless spectrum. For example, a spectrum access system receives a notification indicating that a first-priority tier 1 user in the hierarchy temporarily needs access to a first wireless spectrum assigned to a second-priority tier 2 user in the hierarchy. In response to the notification, the spectrum access system temporarily allocates the second-priority tier 2 user use of a second wireless spectrum. The spectrum access system protects use of the second wireless spectrum by the second-priority tier 2 user from a third-priority tier 3 user in the hierarchy. In certain instances, the one or more spectrum access systems receive the same notification of use of the first wireless spectrum by the first-priority tier 1 user. The multiple spectrum access systems not serving the second-priority tier 2 user protect the Tier 2 User from any Tier 3 Users in the hierarchy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: receiving notification of primary spectrum allocation information and backup spectrum allocation information; implementing the primary spectrum allocation information in which first wireless spectrum as specified by the primary spectrum allocation information is allocated to a first wireless station and second wireless spectrum as specified by the backup spectrum allocation information is allocated to a second wireless station in a network environment; and in response to detecting a trigger event in which the first wireless spectrum is no longer available for use: implementing the backup spectrum allocation information in which the second wireless spectrum is allocated to the first wireless station as a substitute to the first wireless spectrum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1 further comprising: in response to detecting the trigger event and detecting that the first wireless station and the second wireless station are in a same geographical region, notifying the second wireless station to discontinue use of the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly transmit communications in the network environment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1 further comprising: in response to detecting the trigger event, notifying the second wireless station to reduce a wireless output power level of transmitting communications from the second wireless station over the second wireless spectrum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1 further comprising: in response to detecting the trigger event, controlling use of the second wireless spectrum by the second wireless station to reduce wireless interference. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless station is operated by a first wireless network service provider; wherein the second wireless station is operated by a second wireless network service provider; and wherein the trigger event is notification of use of the first wireless spectrum by an incumbent entity having higher priority rights than the first wireless network service provider operating the first wireless station. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as in claim 5, wherein the first wireless network service provider has higher priority rights than the second wireless network service provider. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless station is operated by a first wireless network service provider, the first wireless network service provider having a license to use the first wireless spectrum; and wherein the second wireless station is operated by a second wireless network service provider, the second wireless network service provider being a non-licensed user of the second wireless spectrum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum includes a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station; and wherein the second wireless spectrum includes a third wireless channel and a fourth wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station as backup wireless channels, the third wireless channel being a backup to the first wireless channel, the fourth wireless channel being a backup to the second wireless channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the backup spectrum allocation information provides spectrum usage protection to a wireless network service provider granted a license to use the first wireless spectrum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the second wireless spectrum as specified by the backup spectrum allocation information is a backup wireless channel for multiple wireless channels in the first spectrum allocation information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the primary spectrum allocation information and the secondary spectrum allocation information are distributed amongst multiple spectrum allocation management resources in a network environment managing operation of the first wireless station and the second wireless station. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum is a first licensed wireless channel allocated from a tiered channel hierarchy in which a first wireless network service provider operating the first wireless station is a licensed operator having a higher access priority to the second wireless spectrum than a non-licensed second wireless network service provider operating the second wireless station. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein implementing the backup spectrum allocation information in response to the trigger event includes: transmitting first communications from first spectrum allocation management hardware to the first wireless station, the first spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the first wireless station, the first communications notifying the first wireless station to use the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly communicate from the first wireless station; and transmitting second communications from second spectrum allocation management hardware to the second wireless station, the second spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the second wireless station, the second communications notifying the second wireless station to adjust usage of the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly transmit messages. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum includes a first wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station; and wherein the second wireless spectrum includes a second wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station as a backup wireless channel with respect to the first wireless channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as in claim 14, wherein implementing the backup spectrum allocation information includes revocation of use of the second wireless channel by the second wireless station during a condition in which an incumbent entity uses the first wireless channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as in claim 15 further comprising: in response to detecting discontinued use of the first wireless channel by the incumbent entity: i) notifying the first wireless station to use the first wireless channel, and ii) notifying the second wireless station to use the second wireless channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method as in claim 15, wherein the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel are not contiguous with respect to each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein implementing the backup spectrum allocation information in response to the trigger event includes: transmitting first communications from spectrum allocation management hardware to the first wireless station, the spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the first wireless station, the first communications notifying the first wireless station to use the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly communicate from the first wireless station; and transmitting second communications from the spectrum allocation hardware to the second wireless station, the spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the second wireless station, the second communications notifying the second wireless station to discontinue use of the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly transmit messages. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum is a first wireless channel allocated from a tiered channel hierarchy; and wherein the second wireless spectrum is a second wireless channel allocated from the tiered channel hierarchy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum includes a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station; and wherein the second wireless spectrum includes a third wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station as a backup wireless channel, the third wireless channel being a backup to the first wireless channel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein the first wireless spectrum is a first wireless channel; and wherein the second wireless spectrum is a second wireless channel. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method as in claim 1, wherein implementing the backup spectrum allocation information in response to detecting the trigger event includes: notifying the first wireless station to use the second wireless spectrum instead of the first wireless spectrum. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method as in claim 22, wherein implementing the backup spectrum allocation information in response to detecting the trigger event includes: notifying the second wireless station to discontinue use of the second wireless spectrum. ### Claim 24 A system comprising: communication management hardware operable to: receive notification of primary spectrum allocation information and backup spectrum allocation information; implement the primary spectrum allocation information in which first wireless spectrum as specified by the primary spectrum allocation information is allocated to a first wireless station and second wireless spectrum as specified by the backup spectrum allocation information is allocated to a second wireless station in a network environment; and in response to detecting a trigger event in which the first wireless spectrum is no longer available for use: implement the backup spectrum allocation information in which the second wireless spectrum is allocated to the first wireless station as a substitute to the first wireless spectrum. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the communication management hardware is further operative to: in response to detecting the trigger event and detecting that the first wireless station and the second wireless station are in a same geographical region, notify the second wireless station to discontinue use of the second wireless spectrum to transmit communications in the network environment. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the communication management hardware is further operative to: in response to detecting the trigger event, notify the second wireless station to reduce a wireless output power level of transmitting communications from the second wireless station over the second wireless spectrum. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the communication management hardware is further operative to: in response to detecting the trigger event, control use of the second wireless spectrum by the second wireless station to reduce wireless interference. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the first wireless station is operated by a first wireless network service provider; wherein the second wireless station is operated by a second wireless network service provider; and wherein the trigger event is notification of use of the first wireless spectrum by an incumbent entity having higher priority rights than the first wireless network service provider operating the first wireless station. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The system as in claim 28, wherein the first wireless network service provider has higher priority rights than the second wireless network service provider. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the first wireless station is operated by a first wireless network service provider, the first wireless network service provider having a license to use the first wireless spectrum; and wherein the second wireless station is operated by a second wireless network service provider, the second wireless network service provider being a non-licensed user of the second spectrum. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the first spectrum includes a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station; and wherein the second wireless spectrum includes a third wireless channel and a fourth wireless channel allocated for use by the first wireless station as backup wireless channels, the third wireless channel being a backup to the first wireless channel, the fourth wireless channel being a backup to the second wireless channel. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the backup spectrum allocation information provides spectrum usage protection to a wireless network service provider granted a license to use the first wireless spectrum. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the second wireless spectrum as specified by the backup spectrum allocation information is a backup wireless channel for multiple wireless channels in the first spectrum allocation information. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the primary spectrum allocation information and the secondary spectrum allocation information are distributed amongst multiple spectrum allocation management resources in a network environment, the multiple spectrum allocation management resources operative to manage the first wireless station and the second wireless station. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the first wireless spectrum is a first licensed wireless channel allocated from a tiered channel hierarchy in which a first wireless network service provider operating the first wireless station has a higher access priority to the second wireless spectrum than a second wireless network service provider operating the second wireless station. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The system as in claim 24, wherein the communication management hardware is further operative to: transmit first communications from first spectrum allocation management hardware to the first wireless station, the first spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the first wireless station, the first communications notifying the first wireless station to use the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly communicate from the first wireless station; and transmit second communications from second spectrum allocation management hardware to the second wireless station, the second spectrum allocation management hardware controlling operation of the second wireless station, the second communications notifying the second wireless station to adjust usage of the second wireless spectrum to wirelessly transmit messages. ### Claim 37 Computer-readable storage hardware having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when carried out by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware to: receive notification of primary spectrum allocation information and backup spectrum allocation information; implement the primary spectrum allocation information in which first wireless spectrum as specified by the primary spectrum allocation information is allocated to a first wireless station and second wireless spectrum as specified by the backup spectrum allocation information is allocated to a second wireless station in a network environment; and in response to detecting a trigger event in which the first wireless spectrum is no longer available for use: implement the backup spectrum allocation information in which the second wireless spectrum is allocated to the first wireless station as a substitute to the first wireless spectrum.