Implementation and Analysis of Energy Detection-Based Sensing Using USRP/SBX Platform

The performance of a spectrum sensing algorithm is dependent on many factors such as total detection time, radio noise floor, and carrier frequency. In order to maximize detection capability, the radio platform for which the spectrum sensor is implemented must be sufficiently configurable. An appropriate platform to address such a problem is the Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) with a SBX daughterboard as it is software configurable and capable of wideband reception over a large range of carrier frequencies. Motivation for characterizing the sensing limits of the USRP/SBX radio was the DARPA Spectrum Challenge (DSC) cooperative event. The DSC cooperative event simulated the scenario where multiple users must share the same channel and each user is not supplied with prior information of strategies employed by the other users. Solutions to this problem typically include spectrum sensing. This paper provides the data necessary to design energy detection based spectrum sensing for the USRP/SBX radio. The sensing capability of the USRP/SBX radio is determined via analysis of the receiver noise floor with respect to carrier frequency, sample rate, and detection time. Performance of the energy detection function is stated in closed form and provided with respect to parameters of the detector.