Interference sensing using CORAL Cognitive Radio platforms

Implementation of a theoretical idea into practice is the ultimate achievement of the researcher. This is especially desireable with Cognitive Radio, a field having an extensive theoretical background but where there is little in the way of practical equipment or systems which can be used to implement and demonstrate cognitive radio functionality. To overcome this deficiency, the Communications Research Centre has developed a platform which implements WiFi based cognitive radio networks and allows the study of such attributes as sensing, adaptation, and collaboration in a field environment. In this paper we discuss the operation of this WiFi based cognitive radio technology, providing an overview of the components that led to its implementation, and detail how this technology is being used to gather sensed information in a WiFi interference environment. Such information is being used to design Cognitive Engines for the next generation of adaptive WiFi routers and cognitive WiFi femtocells that will augment cellular services to the home.