Statistical interference maps for opportunistic spectrum access in OFDMA cellular networks

Opportunistic spectrum access in cellular networks allows secondary users to dynamically access the licensed spectrum unused by the primary cellular users. This facilitates the efficient utilization of spectrum and enables dynamic traffic offloading to small cells or device-to-device links in cognitive heterongeneous network scenarios. In this paper, we propose an analytical approach to quantify the achievable level of opportunistic spectrum utilization by secondary users as a function of various system and design parameters. The proposed approach is based on deriving a statistical model for the interference power distribution at any given pixel over a geographical area of interest. Results and insights are presented using interference and spectrum availability maps for different network scenarios.