Dynamic spectrum management - Applying optical networking techniques to wireless DSA networks

We describe an enabling technology for spectrum management in wireless dynamic spectrum access (DSA) networks. The technology is based on an open architecture and protocols developed for optical networks, and deployed in an all-optical testbed that supports dynamic wavelength (i.e., optical spectrum) provisioning. We summarize the basic requirements for spectrum management in commercial-sector wireless DSA networks, and briefly describe a candidate architecture vis-a-vis its signaling protocols, message structure, dynamic provisioning features, and performance. The architecture supports signaling times on the order of a microsecond, and can manage applications with spectrum holding times ranging from a few milliseconds to months.