Spectrum Sensing Strategy and System Optimization for Cognitive Radio Networks

Facing the serious under-utilization of precious licensed spectrum resource, the Federal Communication Committee (FCC) initiates a new paradigm in spectrum allocation, allowing secondary users to share the under-utilized bands by using cognitive radios (CR). This policy change poses a new challenge to the wireless sector, requiring a change in wireless architecture and its design philosophy. The IEEE is taking action to establish a standard{IEEE 802.22{for a novel architecture to operate on the TV bands, called spectrum-agile wireless regional area networks (WRANs).A CR network shares the spectrum of primary users, but with a lower priority in spectrum utilization. Therefore, protection of primary signals is of paramount importance. Cognitive radio is still in its early stage. In this project, the researchers will develop various key technologies for spectrum sensing, CR system design and optimization to ensure the quality of services (QoS) for the primary users on one hand while optimizing the performance for CR networks on the other. Research results will be applicable to future wireless communications in general, and to WRANs and CR-based sensor networks in particular.