Media access control protocols for cognitive radio networks

Abstract

Most of the spectrum deficiency occurring today is because of fixed spectrum assignment policy in which the spectrum is allocated to certain users who use the spectrum sporadically. These licensed users are called primary users. This inefficient utilization of the available spectrum is the main cause of spectrum deficiency. This problem can be solved by the use of cognitive radio technology. A cognitive radio technology is one in which the available spectrum resources which are not used by the primary users are identified and informed to the nodes in the cognitive radio network. These members which use the spectrum in the absence of the primary users are called the secondary users. By using this technology the spectrum deficiency problem existing today can be solved. But the cognitive radio technology has its own disadvantages like highly fluctuating available spectrum and diverse Quality-Of-Service requirements.