Nonparametric methods of spectrum sensing

Cognitive radio is the next big step in wireless radio communications and its development largely depends on spectrum sensing. In this paper, three spectrum sensing methods are considered: energy detection method, Welch´s method and Multitaper method. It is shown, by spectrum analysis of a sinusoidal signal in the presence of non-white noise, that energy detection method is the simplest and least reliable. While, on the other hand, Multitaper method is the most complex and reliable.