Introduction to Cognitive Radio Networks

A cognitive radio (CR) is a radio that can change its transmission parameters based on the perceived availability of the spectrum bands in its operating environment. CRs support dynamic spectrum access and can facilitate a secondary unlicensed user to efficiently utilize the available underutilized spectrum allocated to the primary licensed users. A cognitive radio network (CRN) is composed of both the secondary users with CR-enabled radios and the primary users whose radios need not be CR-enabled. In this chapter, the authors provide an exhaustive analysis of the issues and the state-of-the-art literature solutions available with regards to the following four layers of the TCP/IP protocol layer stack, in the context of CRNs: physical layer (spectrum sensing), medium access control, routing, and transport layers. We discuss the various techniques/mechanisms/protocols that have been proposed for each of these four layers, in the context of CRNs. In addition to the above, we discuss in detail several security attacks that could be launched on CRNs and the countermeasure solutions that have been proposed to avoid or mitigate them. This chapter serves as a good comprehensive review and analysis of all the critical aspects for CRNs, and would lay a strong foundation for someone to further delve onto any particular aspect in greater depth.