  In this paper, we consider the utilization of TV White Spaces (TVWS) by small
Cognitive Radio (CR) network operators to support the communication needs of
various smart grid applications. We first propose a multi-tier communication
network architecture for smart metering applications in dense urban
environments. Our measurement campaign, without any competition from other CR
operators, reveals that the communication architecture can achieve more than
1Mbps data rates using the free unlicensed TVWS spectrum. However, anticipating
stiff competition for the unlicensed TVWS spectrum among CR operators and to
support smart grid applications with stringent Quality of Service (QoS)
requirements, we further exploit the novel idea of high priority channels (HPC)
that the CR operator can temporarily lease by paying a small fee. This poses
several new challenges for the CR operators, such as, their economic viability
while providing QoS guarantees. We develop a real-time decision support
framework with several adjustable parameters for the CR operators that enables
them to tradeoff HPC leasing cost and QoS. The developed algorithms are simple
rules that provide significant opportunities to the CR operators to maintain a
balance between spectrum cost and QoS depending on dynamic spectrum
availability and smart grid application requirements.
