Overview of recent applications of cognitive radio in wireless communication systems

Abstract

Cognitive radio (CR) is one of the most intensively researched paradigms in recent wireless communication systems. The great deal of attention that CR has attracted can be ascribed to its demonstrated capability to increase spectrum efficiency and overall network capacity through interference-free spectrum sharing among several wireless communication systems. CR provides intelligence to wireless networks, enabling users to access multiple air interfaces and select the most appropriate alternative under varying communication needs and operation conditions. The potential benefits of CR have not gone unnoticed to many wireless communication systems, which nowadays have effectively benefited from the adoption of CR techniques and operating principles. This chapter provides an overview on the introduction of CR principles into two prominent wireless communication systems, namely, mobile and satellite communication networks. A detailed discussion is provided on the background and motivation for the adoption of the CR technology and how CR techniques have been introduced in these two systems. A brief discussion is also provided on the adoption of the CR technology in other wireless communication systems, including military communications, public safety and emergency networks, aeronautical communications, and wireless-based Internet of Things. This chapter is aimed at illustrating the practical implementation of the theoretical CR principles widely discussed in the literature.