One of the fundamental tasks of a wireless device with cognitive radio functionalities is to extract relevant parameters from other wireless networks in range, through the so called spectrum sensing. This function is a key element in a cognitive radio system as it should be firstly performed before allowing unlicensed users to access a vacant licensed channel. Among other well know techniques already used to detect communicating primary users, the most simple and effective is based on energy detection.
This work is part of a project called AIRAWARE that aims at the definition of a software module able to classify a set of different wireless technologies in the ISM band thanks to an energy detector based algorithm.
It has been presented during the 1st Workshop of COST Action IC0902, Cognitive Radio and Networking for Cooperative Coexistence of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks, on November 23–25, 2010, in Bologna. Mateterials about the Bologna workshop are available here.
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