An O-RAN Approach to Spectrum Sharing Between Commercial 5G and Government Satellite Systems

Radio spectrum is a finite and highly sought-after resource. Balancing the spectrum needs of federal and commercial users requires innovative policy and cooperative technology. The U.S. Government has been aggressive in auctioning off its spectrum to meet the commercial need, but this approach is not sustainable. Spectrum sharing aims to help resolve this issue by creating regulatory frameworks and developing wireless technologies to allow for spectrum bands to be shared between heterogenous users. 5G has significant flexibility in its spectrum occupancy, and the open interfaces introduced through Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN), and the addition of the Radio access network (RAN) Intelligent Controller (RIC), provide tools that could be used to manage spectrum resources. This paper will explore how emerging open interface standards for 5G/XG and closed-loop feedback (via sensing) can be used to reduce harmful interference between heterogeneous systems in a congested radio environment. The paper presents a relevant spectrum sharing scenario between 5G and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications, suggests a system architecture including a spectrum sensor, and proposes a methodology for spectrum management enabled by the O-RAN RIC.