A Joint MAC and Network Layer QoS Scheme which Mitigates Primary and Secondary Users' Interference

Abstract

Cognitive Radio (CR) is an enabling technology, which allows CR users to exploit the spectrum allocated to Primary Users (PUs) in an opportunistic manner due to the spectrum scarcity challenges. However, Quality of Service (QoS) is a challenge in CR networks. A few studies have considered QoS in CR networks. Most researchers have concentrated on the protection of PUs due to the high priority they have. We consider the problem of scheduling available multiple channels to the CR users when they are free. For this reason, we propose a Cross Layer Design (CLD) scheme which jointly considers Media Access Control (MAC) and Network Layer as one optimisation problem. Specifically, we consider the joint dynamic spectrum allocation, scheduling, routing, and transmit power control. Our scheme aims at reducing end-to-end delay, latency, interferences, and maximizing the network throughput. The performance evaluation of our scheme was conducted using the Network Simulator 2 (NS2) and compared to other CRAHN cross layer protocols. The results show that our scheme outperforms other cross layer protocols.