Consulting | Strategy | Digital | Technology | Operations

White Space Technology- Akshank Shah (TIBCO Developer) H3G-EAI, Mumbai

Content

Potential in rural & remote areasLIVE ApplicationCurrent Scope

Last Mile Wireless Broadband Access - Challenges - Solutions

Introduction to White Space Technology - IEEE802.11af & IEEE802.22 WRAN Standards - Working Principle - Benefit over WiMAX - Incentive (Unused broadcasting freq.) auctions

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INTRODUCTION

Refers to the unused broadcasting frequencies in the wireless spectrum

Uses ‘white space’ or the unused spectrum reserved for broadcasting TV channels, to provide wireless broadband Internet access to a vast population

White Space broadband can travel up to 10 kilometres, through vegetation, buildings, and other obstacles.

Can access power through portable power stations

Delivers broadband data to underserved rural communities or off-the-grid villages

Spectrum ranges from 470 MHz to 790 MHz

Unlike Wi-Fi, which has a range of only about 100 metres, the 200-300 MHz spectrum in the white space can reach up to 10 km.

• Also known as White-Fi or Super Wi-Fi• Allows wireless local area network (WLAN) operation in TV white space

spectrum in the VHF and UHF bands between 54 and 790 MHz• Cognitive radio technology is used to transmit on unused TV channels• Operates in UHF and VHF bands. Thus, propagation path loss as well as the

attenuation by materials such as brick and concrete is lower.• Achievable data rate = 26.7 Mbit/s ~ 568.9 Mbit/s• Designed for ranges up to 1 km

• Specifies operation in a point to multipoint basis (P2MP)• Defines a X.509v3 certificate profile which uses extensions for

authenticating and authorization of devices based on information such as device manufacturer, MAC address, and FCC ID

• Designed for ranges up to 100 km

Benefit over WiMAX & Wi-Fi

• In a typical home, a Wi-Fi signal can penetrate up to two walls. At the same time, a TV white space signal can penetrate through more walls & obstacles, enabling whole home media distribution.

• This will simplify and enrich in-home/in-building network opportunities.

Work Principle

1. Devices only use the TV white spaces channels specified by the database.

2. Devices are required to re-check the database for the list of available channels.

3. Databases are prohibited from providing access to the channels occupied by the incumbent operators (e.g. broadcasters).

4. Databases are required to maintain up-to-date lists of protected operators.

5. Databases can block newly occupied channels to prevent further white spaces access.

Incentive auctions*

The FCC introduced incentive auctions in the 2010 National Broadband Plan.

The auctions are a voluntary, market-based way that encourages licensees to relinquish spectrum rights in exchange for a share of proceeds from the auction of new licenses.

Incentive auctions could potentially allow private companies like Comcast and Time Warner to purchase unlicensed broadband spectrum and use it for themselves.

• Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan.

• Provide portable mobile broadband connectivity across cities and countries through a variety of devices.

• Provide a wireless alternative to cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) for ‘last mile’ broadband access.

• Provide data, telecommunications (VoIP) and IPTV services besides regular smart grid services.

• Smart grids and metering

Potential in rural & remote areas

Check the URL: https://spectrum.iconectiv.com/h32/home/contour_vis.shtml

LIVE Implementation

Available white space for Broadband Tx

Active TV Broadcast

“Microsoft plans to provide free Internet across India using ‘white space’ TV spectrum”- Tech2 Magazine

Microsoft has implemented White Space projects throughout Asia, including a recent deployment in Singapore through partnerships with Singapore government research agencies and in Europe via UK wireless service provider in areas where vegetation makes wireless access difficult.

CURRENT SCOPE

Microsoft is also creating a database for White Space in the U.S., much like Google's.

Thank You