A combinatorial clock auction for OFDMA-based cognitive wireless networks

This paper presents a novel application of a market-based spectrum assignment mechanism for exploitation by cognitive radio systems. Advances in DSA policy mean that regulators are moving towards a more liberalised system of spectrum rights which give more freedom to spectrum users to choose the radio and networking technologies, services and frequencies that suit their technical and economic needs. The paper describes a combinatorial clock auction mechanism that allows for the trade of spectrum rights in the context of an OFDMA-based cognitive wireless network. While governments can use complex and cumbersome auctions to sell off large blocks of spectrum at the macro level, it will be necessary to employ cognitive wireless networks to organise the distribution of such spectrum rights at the network level. Cognitive functionality is important so that DSA-enabled wireless networks can understand the regulatory, technical and economic context within which they find themselves. The combinatorial clock auction is a mechanism that will facilitate the multilateral trade of spectrum rights among competing cognitive radios.