Secondary User Sensing Time Optimization in Sensing-Transmission Scheduling for Dynamic Spectrum Access in Cognitive Radio

The constraint of limited frequency spectrum for wireless communication is very daunting. The radio spectrum licensed to permanent users is wasted at times when not used continuously. Cognitive radio technology involves a change in regulation of radio spectrum. In cognitive radio networks a secondary user network is designed for efficiently using gaps in spectrum and not causing at the same time harmful interference to license holding primary users. Opportunistic spectrum access involves the sensing of white spaces in the transmissions of Primary Users and their utilization by Secondary Users. There is a continuous tradeoff between the opposing goals of Primary User transmission protection and Secondary User throughput maximization. For a Secondary User, sensing is important so as to avoid collisions, hence packet loss. At the same time being too cautious and having long sensing periods can be costly. This paper presents optimization of Secondary User sensing time in sensing-transmission scheduling for dynamically accessing the spectrum in cognitive radios. The need to maximize the Secondary User access is achieved by optimizing its sensing time with respect to collision cost in a threshold based sensing-transmission structure using simulations. The results are presented in the form of traces of thresholds for different sensing times and collision costs. This scheme optimizes Secondary User throughput while safeguarding Primary User interests. This defines a standard to give an insight into the design of sensing-transmission scheduling in cognitive radio networks.