A multi-channel access-based clustering protocol in hierarchical spectrum sharing network

In this paper, a TDMA-based protocol for exchanging spectrum data information and forming cluster structure is proposed in hierarchical spectrum sharing network (HSSN), by which spectrum information such as spectrum identification and classification are exchanged and local control channel is established. Moreover, an easy-to-implement multi-channel access-based clustering protocol is also proposed, in which cognitive radio users access the local control channel according to the priority of channel, thus incurring low cluster maintenance overhead. Simulation results indicate that our approach is effective in prolonging the cluster lifetime.