Statistical Prediction of Spectrum Occupancy Perception in Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks

Cognitive radio nodes of a dynamic spectrum access network monitor the spectrum around them in order to detect and opportunistically exploit temporarily unoccupied spectrum gaps. The overall behavior of the whole network depends on the spectrum occupancy perceived by each node at its local environment. An appropriate understanding of the local perception of cognitive radio nodes in various scenarios and locations as well as its dependence on the propagation environment can provide valuable information for the design, dimensioning and performance evaluation of dynamic spectrum access networks. In this context, this work presents a novel and practical approach to predict the spectrum occupancy that would be perceived by cognitive radio nodes in realistic scenarios. Based on such approach, we explore the dependence of the spectrum occupancy perception with the considered scenario and location as well as the impact of particular parameters of the radio environment.