Single and multi-frequency wideband spectrum sensing with side-information

• Published in: IET signal processing 2014-10, Vol.8 (8), p.831-843
• Main Authors: Font-Segura, Josep, Vázquez, Gregori, Riba, Jaume
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Closed-form solutions; Cognitive radio; Cognitive radio networks; Covariance matrices; Detection; Detectors; Enginyeria de la telecomunicació; Exact solutions; General kernel framework; Generalised-likelihood ratio test; GLRT detector; Informative statistics; Kernels; Low-signal-to-noise ratio; Mathematical models; Maximum likelihood estimation; ML estimation; Modulation format; Multifrequency channelisation; Multifrequency wideband spectrum sensing; Noise statistics; Optimal spectrum sensing detection; Partial side-information; Processament del senyal; Radio spectrum management; Radiocomunicació i exploració electromagnètica; Ràdio cognitiva; Sample covariance matrix projection; Signal detection; Signal processing; Spectrum distribution; Statistical methods; Statistical testing; Statistics; Tractament del senyal; Wideband; Wideband cognitive radio; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC
• ISSN: 1751-9675; 1751-9683; 1751-9683
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-spr.2014.0010

This study addresses the optimal spectrum sensing detection based on the complete or partial side-information on the signal and noise statistics. The use of the generalised-likelihood ratio test (GLRT) involves maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation of the nuisances. ML estimation of the unknowns is especially challenging for wideband cognitive radio because closed-form solutions are often not available. Based on the equivalence between the wideband regime and the low-signal-to-noise ratio regime, this study provides a general kernel framework for GLRT spectrum sensing. It is shown that any GLRT detector exclusively depends on the projection of the sample covariance matrix of the data onto a given underlying kernel that reflects the available side-information in the problem. The kernels in several scenarios of interest are derived, including the widespread single and multi-frequency channelisation cases. Theoretical interpretations and numerical results show the trade-off between detection performance and the degree of side-information on the most informative statistics for detection, that is, the modulation format and spectrum distribution of the primary users.