Opportunistic relaying for Cognitive Radio enhanced cellular networks: Infrastructure and initial results

In this paper, we introduce the application of CR-based spectrum sharing concepts to enable opportunistic relaying operations in cellular networks. In particular, i) we build on recent FCC rules and CEPT plans (SE43) that regulate the opportunistic spectrum usage in TV white spaces at 470–790 MHz; and ii) we show that opportunistic relaying can lead to higher spectral efficiencies and/or reduced CAPEX (and consequently OPEX) due to a lighter infrastructure deployment. Finally, we outline some issues that are important to be addressed to quantify the gains achieved by the proposed opportunistic relay-based infrastructure deployment with respect to existing cellular networks. Some preliminary results are also shown.