CR-MAC: A multichannel MAC protocol for cognitive radio ad hoc networks

This paper proposes a cross-layer based cognitive radio multichannel medium access control (MAC) protocol with TDMA, which integrate the spectrum sensing at physical (PHY) layer and the packet scheduling at MAC layer, for the ad hoc wireless networks. The IEEE 802.11 standard allows for the use of multiple channels available at the PHY layer, but its MAC protocol is designed only for a single channel. A single channel MAC protocol does not work well in a multichannel environment, because of the multichannel hidden terminal problem. Our proposed protocol enables secondary users (SUs) to utilize multiple channels by switching channels dynamically, thus increasing network throughput. In our proposed protocol, each SU is equipped with only one spectrum agile transceiver, but solves the multichannel hidden terminal problem using temporal synchronization. The proposed cognitive radio MAC (CR-MAC) protocol allows SUs to identify and use the unused frequency spectrum in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary users (PUs). Our scheme improves network throughput significantly, especially when the network is highly congested. The simulation results show that our proposed CR-MAC protocol successfully exploits multiple channels and significantly improves network performance by using the licensed spectrum band opportunistically and protects PUs from interference, even in hidden terminal situations.Comment: 14 Pages, International Journa

Analyzing Multi-Channel Medium Access Control Schemes With ALOHA Reservation

In order to improve the throughput performance of Medium Access Control (MAC) schemes in wireless communication networks, some researchers proposed to divide a single shared channel into several sub-channels: one as control subchannel and the others as data sub-channels. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate the maximum achievable throughput of a class of generic multi-channel MAC schemes that are based on the RTS/CTS (Ready-To-Send/Clear-To-Send) dialogue and on ALOHA contention resolution. We study these multichannel MAC schemes under two split-channel scenarios: the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario and the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario. In the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario, we show that the throughput of the multi-channel MAC schemes is inferior to that of the corresponding single-channel MAC scheme, which sends the RTS/CTS packets and DATA packets on a single shared channel. For the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario, where CDMA or similar techniques can be applied, we derive the optimal number of the data sub-channels that maximizes the throughput. The analytical framework that we derive in this paper can also be used to evaluate other contention resolution technique, when the average contention period is known

An Energy Efficient MAC Protocol for QoS Provisioning in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

The explosive growth in the use of real-time applications on mobile devices has resulted in new challenges to the design of medium access control (MAC) protocols for ad hoc networks. In this paper, we propose an energy efficient cognitive radio (CR) MAC protocol for QoS provisioning called ECRQ-MAC, which integrate the spectrum sensing at physical (PHY) layer and the channel-timeslots allocation at MAC layer. We consider the problem of providing QoS guarantee to CR users as well as to maintain the most efficient use of scarce bandwidth resources. The ECRQ-MAC protocol exploits the advantage of both multiple channels and TDMA, and achieves aggressive power savings by allowing CR users that are not involved in communication to go into sleep mode. The proposed ECRQ-MAC protocol allows CR users to identify and use the unused frequency spectrum of licensed band in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary users (PUs). Our scheme improves network throughput significantly, especially when the network is highly congested. The simulation results show that our proposed protocol successfully exploits multiple channels and significantly improves network performance by using the licensed spectrum opportunistically and protects QoS provisioning over cognitive radio ad hoc networks

An Energy Efficient Multichannel MAC Protocol for Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

This paper presents a TDMA based energy efficient cognitive radio multichannel medium access control (MAC) protocol called ECR-MAC for wireless Ad Hoc Networks. ECR-MAC requires only a single half-duplex radio transceiver on each node that integrates the spectrum sensing at physical (PHY) layer and the packet scheduling at MAC layer. In addition to explicit frequency negotiation which is adopted by conventional multichannel MAC protocols, ECR-MAC introduces lightweight explicit time negotiation. This two-dimensional negotiation enables ECR-MAC to exploit the advantage of both multiple channels and TDMA, and achieve aggressive power savings by allowing nodes that are not involved in communication to go into doze mode. The IEEE 802.11 standard allows for the use of multiple channels available at the PHY layer, but its MAC protocol is designed only for a single channel. A single channel MAC protocol does not work well in a multichannel environment, because of the multichannel hidden terminal problem. The proposed energy efficient ECR-MAC protocol allows SUs to identify and use the unused frequency spectrum in a way that constrains the level of interference to the primary users (PUs). Extensive simulation results show that our proposed ECR-MAC protocol successfully exploits multiple channels and significantly improves network performance by using the licensed spectrum band opportunistically and protects QoS provisioning over cognitive radio ad hoc networks.Comment: 8 Pages, International Journa

Analyzing multi-channel medium access control schemes with aloha reservation

Abstract — In order to improve the throughput performance of Medium Access Control (MAC) schemes in wireless communication networks, some researchers proposed to divide a single shared channel into several sub-channels: one as control subchannel and the others as data sub-channels. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate the maximum achievable throughput of a class of generic multi-channel MAC schemes that are based on the RTS/CTS (Ready-To-Send/Clear-To-Send) dialogue and on ALOHA contention resolution. We study these multichannel MAC schemes under two split-channel scenarios: the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario and the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario. In the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario, we show that the throughput of the multi-channel MAC schemes is inferior to that of the corresponding single-channel MAC scheme, which sends the RTS/CTS packets and DATA packets on a single shared channel. For the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario, where CDMA or similar techniques can be applied, we derive the optimal number of the data sub-channels that maximizes the throughput. The analytical framework that we derive in this paper can also be used to evaluate other contention resolution technique, when the average contention period is known. Index Terms — medium access control, MAC, shared channel, multiple channels, ALOHA, contention resolution, RTS/CTS dialogu

Cognition-Based Networks: A New Perspective on Network Optimization Using Learning and Distributed Intelligence

IEEE Access Volume 3, 2015, Article number 7217798, Pages 1512-1530 Open Access Cognition-based networks: A new perspective on network optimization using learning and distributed intelligence (Article) Zorzi, M.a , Zanella, A.a, Testolin, A.b, De Filippo De Grazia, M.b, Zorzi, M.bc a Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy b Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy c IRCCS San Camillo Foundation, Venice-Lido, Italy View additional affiliations View references (107) Abstract In response to the new challenges in the design and operation of communication networks, and taking inspiration from how living beings deal with complexity and scalability, in this paper we introduce an innovative system concept called COgnition-BAsed NETworkS (COBANETS). The proposed approach develops around the systematic application of advanced machine learning techniques and, in particular, unsupervised deep learning and probabilistic generative models for system-wide learning, modeling, optimization, and data representation. Moreover, in COBANETS, we propose to combine this learning architecture with the emerging network virtualization paradigms, which make it possible to actuate automatic optimization and reconfiguration strategies at the system level, thus fully unleashing the potential of the learning approach. Compared with the past and current research efforts in this area, the technical approach outlined in this paper is deeply interdisciplinary and more comprehensive, calling for the synergic combination of expertise of computer scientists, communications and networking engineers, and cognitive scientists, with the ultimate aim of breaking new ground through a profound rethinking of how the modern understanding of cognition can be used in the management and optimization of telecommunication network

Analyzing split channel medium access control schemes,”

Abstract: In order to improve the throughput performance of Medium Access Control (MAC) schemes in wireless communication networks, some researchers proposed to divide a single shared channel into several subchannels: one as control sub-channel and the others as data sub-channels. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate the maximum achievable throughput of a class of generic multi-channel MAC schemes that are based on the RTS/CTS (Ready-To-Send/Clear-To-Send) dialogue and on ALOHA contention resolution. We study these multichannel MAC schemes under two split-channel scenarios: the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario and the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario. In the fixed-total-bandwidth scenario, we show that the throughput of the multi-channel MAC schemes is inferior to that of the corresponding single-channel MAC scheme, which sends the RTS/CTS packets and DATA packets on a single shared channel. For the fixed-channel-bandwidth scenario, where CDMA or similar techniques can be applied, we derive the optimal number of the data subchannels that maximizes the throughput. The analytical framework that we derive in this paper can also be used to evaluate other contention resolution technique, when the average contention period is known. Index Terms: medium access control, MAC, shared channel, multiple channels, ALOHA, contention resolution, RTS/CTS dialogue Article: I. INTRODUCTION In wireless communication networks, Medium Access Control (MAC) schemes are used to manage the access of active nodes to a shared channel Even though there are many multi-channel MAC schemes proposed in the technical literature, to the best of our knowledge, systematic comparison of these multi-channel MAC schemes with the corresponding single-channel schemes is not available except i

Radio network management in cognitive LTE-Femtocell Systems

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London.There is a strong uptake of femtocell deployment as small cell application platforms in the upcoming LTE networks. In such two-tier networks of LTEfemtocell base stations, a large portion of the assigned spectrum is used sporadically leading to underutilisation of valuable frequency resources. Novel spectrum access techniques are necessary to solve these current spectrum inefficiency problems. Therefore, spectrum management solutions should have the features to improve spectrum access in both temporal and spatial manner. Cognitive Radio (CR) with the Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) is considered to be the key technology in this research in order to increase the spectrum efficiency. This is an effective solution to allow a group of Secondary Users (SUs) to share the radio spectrum initially allocated to the Primary User (PUs) at no interference. The core aim of this thesis is to develop new cognitive LTE-femtocell systems that offer a 4G vision, to facilitate the radio network management in order to increase the network capacity and further improve spectrum access probabilities. In this thesis, a new spectrum management model for cognitive radio networks is considered to enable a seamless integration of multi-access technology with existing networks. This involves the design of efficient resource allocation algorithms that are able to respond to the rapid changes in the dynamic wireless environment and primary users activities. Throughout this thesis a variety of network upgraded functions are developed using application simulation scenarios. Therefore, the proposed algorithms, mechanisms, methods, and system models are not restricted in the considered networks, but rather have a wider applicability to be used in other technologies. This thesis mainly investigates three aspects of research issues relating to the efficient management of cognitive networks: First, novel spectrum resource management modules are proposed to maximise the spectrum access by rapidly detecting the available transmission opportunities. Secondly, a developed pilot power controlling algorithm is introduced to minimise the power consumption by considering mobile position and application requirements. Also, there is investigation on the impact of deploying different numbers of femtocell base stations in LTE domain to identify the optimum cell size for future networks. Finally, a novel call admission control mechanism for mobility management is proposed to support seamless handover between LTE and femtocell domains. This is performed by assigning high speed mobile users to the LTE system to avoid unnecessary handovers. The proposed solutions were examined by simulation and numerical analysis to show the strength of cognitive femtocell deployment for the required applications. The results show that the new system design based on cognitive radio configuration enable an efficient resource management in terms of spectrum allocation, adaptive pilot power control, and mobile handover. The proposed framework and algorithms offer a novel spectrum management for self organised LTE-femtocell architecture. Eventually, this research shows that certain architectures fulfilling spectrum management requirements are implementable in practice and display good performance in dynamic wireless environments which recommends the consideration of CR systems in LTE and femtocell networks