Cyclostationarity-based cooperative spectrum sensing for cognitive radio networks

In order to ensure trustworthy coexistence of unlicensed cognitive radio (CR) networks with licensed primary networks, CR spectrum sensing function must be able to detect licensed users even at very low SNR values. But, non-cooperative spectrum sensing methods are not so reliable and result in a low probability of detection. In this paper, we propose some cooperative detection schemes in order to improve the spectrum sensing performance in the CR networks. Because cyclostationary detectors can differentiate between modulated signals, interference, and noise even in low SNRs; in the proposed method a powerful multi-cycle detector is employed. Results of the simulations show that cooperative sensing based on multi-cycle detection outperforms conventional methods even in low SNR conditions.