IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.

2 FEBRUARY 2014
261

INVITED PAPER Special Section on Technologies for Effective Utilization of Spectrum White Space

White Space Communication Systems: An Overview of Regulation,

Standardization and Trial
Hiroshi HARADA†a) , Fellow

SUMMARY This paper summarizes the current status of regulations, systems.

standardization efforts and trials around the world regarding white space The third point is the air interface for WS communi-
(WS) communications, especially television band WS (TVWS). After
cations. Many interfaces will be candidates for several use
defining WS communication systems configurations and function and the
categories of white space database, the TVWS regulations in United States, cases. Wireless regional area network (WRAN) [13], [20],
United Kingdom, and Japan are summarized. Then regarding status of wireless local area network (WLAN) [14] and wireless per-
standardization for TVWS devices, IEEE 802 and IEEE 1900 standards sonal area network (WPAN) [15], [20] including sensor net-
are summarized. Finally ongoing pilot projects and trials of WS commu- work and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications are
nications in the world are summarized, and trends and future direction of
research on WS communication systems are summarized.
the representative air interfaces. The air interfaces must
key words: white space, IEEE, cognitive radio, database, standardization be standardized to reduce price of wireless unit and to in-
crease the number of unit suppliers, and to expand applica-
1. Introduction tion fields. There are several standardization organizations
(SDOs) or bodies to discuss the standardization. IEEE is one
In order to cope with issues due to the exhaustive fre- of major standardization bodies. Moreover, several white
quency assignments demanded by the expansion of broad- space pilot projects have been launched in the world by us-
band wireless communications, wireless communications in ing wireless units compliant with standards and WSDB. If
“the white space (the WS) [1]–[20]” have been expected missing parts in the current regulations are found in the pilot
around the world. The communication systems are called projects, regulators may modify their regulations. In sum-
“WS communication systems [1]–[20].” The existence of mary, the ecosystem between regulation, research and de-
WS allows secondary systems to share the operational fre- velopment, standardization, and pilot project is configured
quency band of existing licensed wireless systems (primary as shown in Fig. 1.
systems) provided that they impose no harmful interference In this paper, current regulation status and standardiza-
on the primary systems. Wireless communication systems tion activities on white space are summarized. Regarding
that are based on cognitive radio (CR) and dynamic spec- standardization, activities on IEEE 802 and IEEE Dyspan-
trum sharing (DSS) are expected to increase the capacity for SC (IEEE 1900.x) are summarized. Then this paper de-
current wireless communication systems. scribes current status of several pilot projects in the world.
To realize the WS communication systems, several Finally future recommended direction is described.
points need to be considered. The first point is its oper-
ational frequency band and its regulation for WS commu-
nication systems. Needless to say, there are WS resources
in all frequency bands, but only the UHF-TV band is be-
ing actively considered for WS communications. This is
because the band suits the systems that currently use mi-
crowave bands such as wireless broadband in order to take
longer transmission range and more number of channels.
We sometimes call the band TV white space (TVWS). The
TVWS regulations for the use of TVWS are being discussed
all over the world.
The second point is white space database (WSDB) [2]
that decides possibility of WS usage by predicting service
contour of primary and secondary systems in order to pro-
tect interference to primary systems from secondary sys-
tems and share spectrum between primary and secondary
Manuscript received July 16, 2013.
Manuscript revised September 30, 2013.
†
The author is with NICT, Yokosuka-shi, 239-0847 Japan.
a) E-mail: harada@nict.go.jp Fig. 1 Ecosystem between regulation, research and development,
DOI: 10.1587/transcom.E97.B.261 standardization, and pilot project.

Copyright 
c 2014 The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers

262
2. White Space Communication Systems
2.1 System Configuration
Figure 2 shows a fundamental configuration of WS commu-
nication systems. As assumptions, all primary users and sec-
ondary users can access to WSDBs. The primary users op-
erate licensed systems. In TV band, primary users provide
TV services. Secondary users operate their wireless com-
munication systems by using white space devices (WSD).
The WSDBs can decide possibility of WS usage by pre-
dicting service contour of primary and secondary systems.
The WSDB has information on radio parameters of primary
systems. The radio parameters may include location, an-
tenna height, transmission power, antenna pattern, and an-
tenna tilt.
2.2 Function of WSDB
In order to protect interference to primary systems from sec-
ondary systems and share spectrum between primary and
secondary systems, WSDB has the following functions:
a Predict contour of primary systems by using informa-
tion on radio parameters (location, antenna pattern,
transmission power, etc.).
b Predict contour of secondary systems by using infor-
mation on radio parameters (location, antenna pattern,
Fig. 2 A fundamental configuration of WS communication systems.
IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
transmission power, etc.). This is an optional function.
By the two contour prediction results and threshold level of
interference, the WSDB provides radio parameters of sec-
ondary systems to keep coexistence between primary and
secondary systems. As shown in Fig. 2, all secondary sys-
tems can coexist with primary systems because the contours
of primary and secondary systems are not overlapped. How-
ever, it is something difficult to keep coexistence between
secondary systems. This means that some secondary sys-
tems may interfere with the others. So to reduce the in-
terference, WSDB for the coexistence between secondary
systems is needed. The WSDB has the following functions:
i Predict contour of secondary systems by using infor-
mation on radio parameters (location, antenna pattern,
transmission power, etc.)
By the contour prediction results and threshold level of in-
terference, the WSDB provides radio parameters of sec-
ondary systems to keep coexistence between secondary sys-
tems. The secondary systems may use different wireless
access schemes or common wireless access schemes. So
the WSDB for coexistence between secondary users may be
categorized into two; for secondary systems used different
wireless access schemes and for ones used common wire-
less access schemes shown in Fig. 2. Table 1 summarizes
the categories.
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
2.3 Category of WSDB
To introduce the WSDBs in the real situation, there are three
stages shown in Table 2. The difference between stages is
the response time to get available WS frequency map. In
the first stage, the response time is longer than 24 hours
because it may take longer time to predict contour of pri-
mary and secondary systems and calculate recommended
radio parameters for the secondary systems. In the stage,
only fixed wireless communication is available, because the
WS radios cannot move until available WS frequency map
is obtained. As the second stage, the response time will be
reduced within 24 hours. Moreover the WS radios need to
access to WSDB and get the map again when the equipment
works every certain meter. In the case, the WS radios with
a small mobility may be supported. As the third stage, the
response time becomes much faster within several seconds
and the WSDB will support WS radios under highly mobile
environment.
2.4 Discussion Points
To make WS communications feasible, the following points
need to be discussed.
1. Radio regulations for WS communications: Opera-
tional frequency bands, maximum transmission power,
spectrum mask, and so on.
2. WSDB specifications and operational guideline.
3. Requirement and category for WSD.
4. Specification of WSD
Table 1 Category of WSDB.
Table 2 Scenario of WSDB Introduction.
263
3. Radio Regulations for WS Communications
3.1 United States
3.1.1 History [1]–[6]
In United States, Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) is mainly discussing on the regulation for WS com-
munication systems. Table 3 summarizes the history of reg-
ulation. United states considered TV bands for the WS com-
munication systems, and WSD in TVWS is called televi-
sion band device (TVBD). TVBD is discussing in licence-
exempt category.
3.1.2 Category of TVBD
As category of TVBD, there are two classes: fixed and per-
sonal/portable devices. Table 4 summarizes requirements
of the devices. The personal/portable devices are moreover
categorized into two: Mode I and Mode II. The Mode I is a
client device and activated by a fixed device or a Mode II de-
vice. Mode II device is an independent device with capabil-
ity to access WSDB to access available channels. In Table 4,
there is one more category, sensing only personal/portable
device that required performing spectrum sensing prior to
operation.
3.1.3 Requirement for WSDB
The requirement for WSDB in FCC is summarized in Ta-
ble 5. FCC requests TVBD to access WSDB every 24 hours.
Table 3 History of regulation in FCC.
Table 4 Category of TVBD in FCC.

264
Table 5 Requirement for WSDB in FCC.
All devices except for Mode I and sensing only device must
have a geolocation capability with accuracy up to +/−50 m
and send the information to WSDB.
3.1.4 Transmission Power and Spectrum Mask
As shown in Table 4, fixed devices are permitted to trans-
mit up a 4 W equivalent of effective isotropic radiated power
(EIRP). The EIRP 4 W includes 1 W output power and a
6 dBi gain antenna as maximum value, respectively. Per-
sonal/portable device are permitted to transmit up to 20 dBm
equivalent of EIRP. However, the transmission power is lim-
ited to 16 dBm in operating in a channel adjacent to an in-
cumbent licensed user and within the protected area of the
WS communication services. Moreover, spectrum density is
constrained to 12.6 dBm and 2.6 dBm per 100 kHz for fixed
and personal portable devices, respectively.
Regarding spectrum mask, it is required to achieve ad-
jacent channel attenuation of 55 dB below the highest power
in a 6 MHz operating channel in 100 kHz bandwidth.
3.1.5 Operational TV Channel
The channel spacing of TV channel is 6 MHz. Fixed devices
can use VHF channels 2-13 and UHF channels 14-51 except
for 3, 4 and 37 channels. Personal/portable devices can use
UHF channels 14-51 except for 14-20 and 37 channels.
3.2 United Kingdom
3.2.1 History [7]–[12]
In United Kingdom, Office of Communications (Ofcom) is
mainly discussing on the regulation for WS communica-
tion systems. Table 6 summarizes the history of regulation.
TVBD is discussing in licence-exempt category.
3.2.2 Category of TVBD
As category of TVBD, there are two classes: master and
slave devices. The master deices can contact a WSDB to
IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
obtain a set of available frequencies in their area. In the op-
eration, device model number tells whether it has antennas
mounted outdoor. The master devices then manage slave
devices, maintaining record of slave devices. The slave de-
vices obtain the relevant information from master devices
but do not contact the WSDB themselves and communi-
cate with only master devices. The master devices moreover
cease transmission immediately when instructed by the mas-
ter device or within 5 seconds of not receiving a response
from the master devices to transmission.
3.2.3 Requirement for WSDB
The requirement for WSDB is summarized in Table 7.
WSDB must provide a response within 10 seconds. Time-
validity stamp to the WSDB is required. Push technology
can be implemented but not as a regulatory requirement.
The WSDB returns an information set which must include
start and end frequencies for available bands, associated
maximum power levels, a time validity for the information,
and a notification of any requirement for sensing to be used
in addition.
3.2.4 Transmission Power and Spectrum Mask
The maximum transmit power is determined based on dig-
ital terrestrial TV (DTT) protection levels i.e. the cognitive
signal should be at least 33 dB below the received DTT sig-
nal.
3.2.5 Operational TV Channel
The channel spacing of TV channel is 8 MHz. The opera-
tional channel starts from 470 MHz and ends 790 MHz by
using channel numbers from 21 to 60. TVBD can use chan-
nels 21 to 60 except for 31-38 channels.
3.3 Japan
3.3.1 History
Since Nov. 2009, white space operation has been discussed
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
Table 6 History of regulation in Ofcom.
Table 7 Requirement for WSDB in Ofcom.
in Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
in order to secure bandwidth. Table 8 summarizes the his-
tory of regulation. Five main applications are under discus-
sion in the Council for White Space Promotion in MIC.
- Wireless microphone
- Area broadcasting
- Sensor network
- Wireless broadband
- Wireless access systems for emergency situation (dis-
aster)
Currently area broadcasting services have been permitted to
do actual services in TV white space. This is a license-based
system, and the actual services have started in several places
of Japan.
The area broadcasting service is based on ISDB-T
(ARIB STD-B31) and standardized as ARIB STD-B55. The
ISDB-T has 13 OFDM segments in a channel. The ARIB
STD-B55 standardized specifications in the case when one
265
segment or full segment is used. Table 9 shows fundamental
specification of one segment type area broadcasting. Most
Japanese mobile phone have capability to receive one seg-
ment ISDB-T broadcasting services. New service operators
can start new area-dedicated broadcasting services by using
the standard in TVWS. The spectrum mask is also shown in
Table 10.
Currently usage of WSDB has not been discussed and
MIC manages the spectrum license. To get license, the area
broadcasting operators submit license application form to
MIC and MIC provides license on the basis of radio regula-
tion and interference level to primary users.
Wireless microphone is categorized in higher priority
than other WS communications and area broadcasting ser-
vices. This is because the wireless microphone is forced
to move to white space from 700–900 MHz bands in order
to secure bandwidth for next generation mobile phone sys-
tem. To support usage of wireless microphone, MIC pro-
vides WS channel lists. The wireless microphone operators
submit their license application forms to MIC and MIC pro-
vides licenses on the basis of radio regulation.
Licensing to both systems looks good. But new issues
arise, co-existing issue between area broadcasting and wire-
less microphone. To discuss the coexistence mechanism,
coexistence working group (WG) is launched under council
for white space promotion [21] from the following view-
points.
• Who will provide available channel map on white
space?
• Who will permit to use white space?
• Will WSDB be used?

266
Table 8
Table 9 Specification of one segment type area broadcasting.
• Who will manage coexistence between WS systems?
A coexistence procedure between wireless microphone and
area broadcasting was issued in 2013.
3.3.2 Coexistence Mechanism
Figure 3 shows a coexistence mechanism considered in
Japan. In the previous section, application procedure to get
license of wireless microphone has been introduced. Af-
ter getting the license, wireless microphone operators report
the operational bands to the wireless microphone promotion
alliance or forum. The alliance or forum may request the
wireless microphone operators to do coexistence with pri-
mary and secondary operators.
When area broadcasting service operators apply license
to the MIC, the operators need to discuss with wireless mi-
IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
History of regulation in Japan.
Table 10 Spectrum mask of area broadcasting.
crophone alliance or forum to find white spaces that do not
interfere with wireless microphone. After getting the infor-
mation, area broadcasting service operators start to apply
license to MIC. After area broadcasting service operators
get licenses. The licenses information will be reported to
area broadcasting promotion alliance or forum. Both wire-
less microphone and area broadcasting promotion alliances
or forums share the information of their operational bands.
4. Standardization of TVBD Specification in IEEE
Table 11 summarizes standardization activities of TVBD
specifications in IEEE. Currently IEEE 802 and IEEE Dys-
pan standards committee (1900.x) have actively discussed
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
267

Fig. 3 A coexistence mechanism considered in Japan.

Table 11 Standardization activities of TVBD specifications in IEEE.

the topic. The IEEE 802 mainly has standardized air inter-
faces for several WS use cases. For example, IEEE 802.22,
IEEE 802.11af, and IEEE 802.15.4m standardize air inter-
faces for WRAN, WLAN, and WPAN, respectively. On the
other hand, the IEEE 1900 mainly has standardized enabling
technologies to operate WS communications smoothly. In
Table 11, IEEE 802.22, IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.15.4m,
IEEE 802.19.1, IEEE 1900.4a and 1900.4.1 issued their
specification document. This section introduces the stan-
dards.
4.1 IEEE 802.22 [13]
IEEE 802.22 is a standard specification of PHY and MAC
for wireless regional area networks: WRAN in TVWS. Ta-
ble 11 shows the fundamental specifications. The IEEE
802.22 WRAN network is composed of base station (BS)
and customer premise portable equipment (CPE). The BS
and CPE can provide a point to multipoint network. The
PHY layer specification is shown in Table 12. The MAC

268
Table 12 802.22 physical layer specification.
Fig. 4 Frame structure of MAC layer in 802.22.
layer adopts time division duplex (TDD) and OFDMA is
mainly used. The frame structure of MAC layer is shown
in Fig. 4. To do coexistence with primary systems, several
functions are standardized as options. The first is to insert
“quiet period” in MAC frame to do spectrum sensing in each
TVBD. In the quiet period, nobody send any message. The
second allows CPE to send BS a message when primary
users are detected by CPE. The third is a function of BS to
request CPE shifting to new operational band. To promote
the standard and to make the standard interoperable one,
WhiteSpace alliance (http://www.whitespacealliance.org/)
has actively been working.
Moreover, to support enhanced broadband services and
monitoring application, 802.22b project that specifies al-
ternate PHY and necessary MAC enhancements to IEEE
802.22-2011 standard was launched. The standard defines
new classes of 802.22 devices to address these new appli-
cations and supports more than 512 devices connection in a
network.
4.2 IEEE 802.11af [14]
IEEE 802.11af is an amendment standard that defines mod-
IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
Table 13 802.11af physical layer specification.
Fig. 5 Configuration of IEEE 802.11af.
ifications to both the 802.11 physical layers (PHY) and
the 802.11 medium access control layer (MAC), to meet
the legal requirements for channel access and coexistence
in the TV whit space. Table 13 shows the fundamental
specifications. As shown in Fig. 5, IEEE 802.11af stan-
dard is a combination standard by IEEE 802.11 families
and the PHY has compatibility with IEEE 802.11ac on
the basis of OFDM. IEEE 802.11ac is based on 40 MHz
bandwidth with 128-point FFT. In the case of TV chan-
nel with 6 MHz channel spacing, the occupied bandwidth
is 6 MHz*128/144=5.33 MHz Therefore downclocking of
IEEE 802.11ac is required.
To protect primary users, a procedure to access to
WSDB is defined. Also to keep coexistence with other sec-
ondary users based on 802.11af system, the standard recom-
mends using registered location secure server (RLSS) and
the RLSS stores operational parameters of 802.11af based
systems and control the parameters if there are interference
between systems. To promote the standard and to make the
standard interoperable one, WiFi alliance (http://www.wi-
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
Table 14 IEEE802.15.4m FSK specification.
Table 15 IEEE802.15.4m OFDM specification.
Table 16 IEEE802.15.4m NB-OFDM specification.
fi.org/) has actively been working.
4.3 IEEE 802.15.4m [15]
IEEE 802.15.4m is an amendment standard that specifies a
PHY for 802.15.4 meeting TV white space regulatory re-
quirements in as many regulatory domains as practical and
also any necessary MAC changes needed to support this
PHY. Tables 14–16 show the fundamental specifications.
IEEE 802.15.4m has three modes; FSK, OFDM, and NB-
OFDM. The FSK supports up to several hundred kbps and
NB-OFDM supports from several hundred kbps to several
Mbps, and OFDM supports higher transmission rate. Re-
garding MAC, IEEE 802.15.4m supports IEEE 802.15.4-
2012 including IEEE 802.15.4e. The standard also consid-
ers a technique to do carrier aggregation between WS and
frequency bands originally used for IEEE 802.15 such as
sub-GHz or 2.4 or 5 GHz bands.
4.4 IEEE 1900.7
IEEE 1900.7 is developing a draft standard that specifies a
269
Fig. 6 System architecture of IEEE 802.19.1.
radio MAC sublayer(s) and PHY layer(s) of WS dynamic
spectrum access radio systems supporting fixed and mobile
operation in white space frequency bands, while avoiding
causing harmful interference to incumbent users in these fre-
quency bands. The consideration of radio regulations, use
cases, general requirements, and channel model was final-
ized in March 2012. Selection of frequency bands and topol-
ogy was done in June 2012. The potential topics for the draft
development phase, which is the current on for the WG,
are as follows: Reference model, PHY layer, MAC sub-
layer, Convergence sublayer, Security sublayer, and Cogni-
tive plane. IEEE 1900.7 is still preparing its draft document.
4.5 IEEE 802.19.1 [16]
IEEE 802.19.1 specifies radio technology independent
methods for coexistence among dissimilar or independently
operated TVBD networks and dissimilar TVBD. In short,
the standard defines specification of WSDB for the coexis-
tence between secondary systems. Figure 6 shows a sys-
tem architecture of the standard. The architecture is com-
posed of three entities: coexistence manager (CM), coex-
istence enabler (CE), and coexistence discovery and infor-
mation server (CDIS). Table 17 describes details of the en-
tities. In Fig. 6, CM obtains radio operational parameters
from TVBD network or devices through CE. By using the
information and also using information from WSDB related
to primary systems, the CDIS calculates the interference
level and finally the CM decided the capability of coexis-
tence between TVBD networks or devices.
4.6 IEEE 1900.4a and 1900.4.1 [17]–[19]
A coexistence mechanism similar to IEEE 802.19.1 is stan-
dardized in IEEE 1900.4a. IEEE 1900.4a is based on IEEE
1900.4. IEEE 1900.4 is a baseline standard to provide a
framework for developing intelligent management system
having the capability to optimize spectrum usage across dif-
ferent frequency bands, radio access technologies (RATs),
and operators. To reach this goal, the standard defines an
architecture of the management system, which is comprised
of the component entities of the management system, ser-
 IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
270

Table 17 Details of the entities in IEEE 802.19.1.

vice access points (SAPs) of these entities, and interfaces

between them.
As shown in Fig. 7, four management entities are de-
fined on the network side: the Operator Spectrum Manager
(OSM), the RAN Measurement Collector (RMC), the Net-
work Reconfiguration Manager (NRM) and the RAN Re-
configuration Controller (RRC). The details are summarized
in Table 18. To support scalable operation, the RMC, the
NRM, and the RRC may be implemented in a distributed
manner.
On the other hands, three management entities are
defined on the terminal side: the Terminal Measurement
Collector (TMC), the Terminal Reconfiguration Manager
(TRM) and the Terminal Reconfiguration Controller (TRC).
Each terminal has one TMC, one TRM, and one TRC. The
details are also summarized in Table 17.
IEEE 1900.4a amends the IEEE 1900.4 to enable mo-
bile wireless access service in white space frequency bands
without any limitation on used radio interface (physical and
media access control layers, carrier frequency, etc) by defin-
ing additional components of the IEEE 1900.4 system. Cur-
rently considered architecture of IEEE 1900.4a is shown in
Fig. 7. Compared to IEEE standard 1900.4, four new enti-
ties are currently considered in IEEE 1900.4a: the Cognitive
Base Station (CBS) Measurement Collector (CBSMC), the
CBS Reconfiguration Manager (CBSRM), the CBS Recon-
figuration Controller (CBSRC), and the White Space Man-
ager (WSM). The details are also summarized in Table 18.
Based on system architecture in Fig. 7, IEEE 1900.4.1 Fig. 7 System architecture of IEEE 1900.4 and 1900.4a.
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
Table 18 Details of the entities in IEEE 1900.4 and 1900.4a.
provides detailed description of interfaces and service ac-
cess points defined in the IEEE 1900.4. In the standard,
message and interface between 1900.4 management entities,
service access point, and primitives are defined.
5. Pilot Projects and Trials of WS Communications
There are several pilot projects and trials in the world. But
the projects and trials are categorized into two: international
collaboration trials and domestic collaboration trials. For
example, Japan has done only domestic collaboration trials
for WS communications. Table 19 summarizes the interna-
tional projects and trials [22]–[28]. In the Table, there are
several tendencies.
• WS communication trials have been doing in Africa
[27], [28], Europe [23], [24], [26], South East Asia
[22], [25] and so on and adopting the WS system to
reduce digital divide between city central and country-
side.
• Fixed point-to-multipoint rural broadband access ap-
plications are taken.
• UHF band is mainly used and WSDB may be used
because some countries still have enough vacant fre-
quency bands in TV bands. So dynamic spectrum shar-
ing by cognitive radio technique may not be needed.
• All finished trials have not used radio equipment taken
271
existing WS standard.
Regarding first to third bullets, TVWS communication
systems can achieve a longer-range communication in com-
parison with microwave band communications. So rural
broadband access is one of important applications. But as
shown in Table 20, other applications must be considered.
Especially WLAN for wireless broadband in house and pub-
lic area and WPAN for smart utility, smart grid and sensor
network are the representative applications. This is because
currently the frequency bands for both use cases are fully oc-
cupied and new bands are needed. In addition, for both use
cases, carrier aggregation between WS and frequency bands
originally used for WLAN and WPAN must be considered.
Regarding fourth bullet, there is no development of
standard compliant WS communication equipment except
for NICT for the time being. NICT has developed world’s
first IEEE 802.11af, IEEE 802.22, and IEEE 802.15.4m
(NB-OFDM). Figure 8 summarizes the developed proto-
types [15], [29], [30]. The important points are to provide
low price WS radio equipment by manufacturers and the
developed equipment shall meet regulation provided by reg-
ulators. But to develop low price equipment, a big market
that includes several to several tens million users must be
produced. This is a further discussion point.
 IEICE TRANS. COMMUN., VOL.E97–B, NO.2 FEBRUARY 2014
272

Table 19 International projects and trials on WS communications.

Table 20 Applications by WS communications.

nications were summarized and trend and future direction

6. Conclusions
This paper summarized current status on regulations, stan-
dardization and trials in the world regarding WS commu-
nications. After defining system configuration and func-
tion and category of WSDB, radio regulations in United
States, United Kingdom, and Japan were summarized from
the viewpoint of history, TVBD category, TVWS require-
ment, transmission power, spectrum mask and operational
TV channel. Then as status of standardization for TVBD,
IEEE 802 and IEEE 1900 standard related to WS were sum-
marized. Finally pilot projects and trials of WS commu-
of promotion on WS communication systems were summa-
rized.
As conclusions, WS communications are expected
to realize two benefits: longer communication range and
achievement of more capacities. And several trials of ru-
ral broadband access are being actively pursued and trials
of new applications are needed. For the regulation, there
are several discussions in several regions. But to have com-
mon knowledge and sense and to promote dynamic spec-
trum sharing based communication systems, the establish-
ment of a worldwide alliance is needed.
HARADA: WHITE SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW OF REGULATION, STANDARDIZATION AND TRIAL
Fig. 8 Prototype of standardized WS communication systems: (a) 802.11af, (b) 802.22, and (c)
802.15.4m.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to express sincere thanks to
Mr. Homare Murakami, Dr. Fumihide Kojima, Dr. Kentaro
Ishizu, Dr. Zhou Lan, Dr. Ha Nguyen Tran, Dr. Chin Sean
Sum, and Dr. Chang-Woo Pyo for their supports to summa-
rize status of standardization and trial. This research was
conducted under a contract of R&D for radio resource en-
hancement, organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications, Japan.
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Hiroshi Harada is director of smart wire-

less laboratory at National Institute of Informa-
tion and communications technology (NICT).
He joined the Communications Research Lab-
oratory, Ministry of Posts and Communications,
in 1995 (currently NICT). Since 1995, he has re-
searched Software Defined Radio (SDR), Cog-
nitive Radio, Dynamic Spectrum Access Net-
work, Smart Utility Network (SUN) and broad-
band wireless access systems on the VHF, TV
white space, microwave and millimeter-wave
band. He also has joined many standardization committees and forums in
United States as well as in Japan and have fulfilled important roles for them.
He has served currently on the board of directors of Wireless Innovation
Forum (formerly SDR Forum), WhiteSpace Alliance, DSA Alliance, and
Wi-SUN alliance, and also the chair of IEEE Dyspan Standards Committee
(formerly, IEEE SCC41 and IEEE 1900) since 2009 and the vice chair of
IEEE P1900.4, IEEE P802.15.4g, TIA TR-51, and IEEE P802.15.4m since
2008, 2009, 2011, and 2011, respectively. He moreover was the chair of
the IEICE Technical Committee on Software Radio (TCSR) in 2005–2007
and has been the chair of Public Broadband Mobile Communication Devel-
opment Committee, ARIB since in 2010. He is also involved in many other
activities related to telecommunications. He has been a visiting professor
of the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan, since 2005
and is the author of Simulation and Software Radio for Mobile Commu-
nications (Artech House, 2002). He received the achievement award and
fellow of IEICE in 2006 and 2009, respectively and the achievement award
of ARIB and Funai Prize for Science in 2009 and 2010, respectively, on the
topic of cognitive radio research and development.