Detect and avoid mechanism for ultra wide-band WiMedia: Experimental evaluation of detection capabilities

The Detect and Avoid (DAA) mechanism is a widely used technique in cognitive radios to support the coexistence of primary and secondary users operating in the same spectrum portion. In this paper we describe our experience in detecting WiMAX signal (operating as a primary user) in the 3.5 GHz range using the Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) test dongles from Wisair (operating as a possible secondary user of the spectrum). For this purpose a generic radiated test bed was prepared and two scenarios were considered in order to experimentally study the detection capability of DAA block within the WISAIR UWB devices. The detection results are presented in terms of the received signal strength and the sensitivity of the device.