Spectrum Sensing Algorithms for Cognitive TV White-Spaces Systems

Abstract

This chapter describes a set of spectrum sensing algorithms to be employed for the detection of Ortogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing transmissions in the {TV} bands (470–790 {MHz)}, like {DVB-T} signals. Spectrum sensing techniques take a crucial role to support geo-referenced {TV} White-Spaces ({TVWS)} databases and to maintain them up-to-date over time. When considering a single-antenna spectrum sensing unit, very effective methods for detecting {OFDM} signals are based on {DVB-T} cyclic prefix and pilot pattern feature detection. Starting from these, further improvements can be obtained using multi-antenna techniques. This chapter shows performance analysis of feature-based single-antenna and multi-antenna techniques in order to derive trade-offs and conclusions.