Deployment and interface design considerations for Radio Environment Maps

Radio Environment Map (REM) is an integrated database consisting of multi-domain information including the spectrum availability profile, geographical features, regulations, relevant policies, radio equipment profile, past experiences, etc. In this paper we analyse the integration of REM with the wider communication system and how it interfaces with the relevant network entities. REM is primarily designed to facilitate network establishment and to improve operational performance and radio resource management. The REM computes complex temporal and spatial aspects of radio environment by gathering information from various spectrum sensing sources, and thus has interface with heterogeneous devices. In this paper we particularly look at the different interfaces of REM with other potential entities in the architecture. The interface design must take into consideration the stakeholders providing REM facilities and the architecture in which the functions are mapped. These are necessarily scenario specific as they depend on the motivation, benefits and incentives for using the REM approach. For selected use case scenarios, we draw architectural interface design considerations and network mapping.