Database-assisted Coordinator-based Spectrum Mobility in Cognitive Radio Ad-hoc Networks

Abstract:
In this paper, we present a prototype Cognitive Radio (CR) ad-hoc network exploiting available radio spectrum opportunities while ensuring primary user protection.We present a flexible link-layer protocol that consists of a channel-hoppingbased rendezvous component, a CSMA-based MAC protocol and a coordinator-based spectrum mobility block. We also show a prototype implementation of a database-driven knowledge aggregation component called Resource Map which assists the CR network in its channel selection process. The demonstration shows a video stream originating from one CR node destined to another over the Primary User (PU) radio spectrum band. The demonstration also shows a cognitive channel selection process (instead of random free channel selection) where the CR network quantifies the radio channels based on the observed PU activity and reduces the overall channel handover count. These features are observable through a visualization of the spectrum sensing and aggregation process.