A multi-states continuous time Markov chain model for secondary spectrum access in dynamic spectrum access networks

Abstract

Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) networks are vulnerable to hackers who normally pretend themselves to be the primary users and called the Primary User Emulation Attack (PUEA). Research communities have already reported a vast use of PUEA in the existing research. Other potential attackers such as greedy users should not be ignored when investigating the dynamic spectrum access networks. In this paper, we propose a multi-states Continuous Time Markov Chain (CTMC) model to describe the behaviour of DSA, analysis of the channel states and discussion on the impacts of normal, normal greedy and greedy malicious users in DSA network. The CTMC model is simulated and the simulation results have been discussed and validated by comparing with the existing models. Finally, it is proved that CTMC model is an improved method to analyse the performance of the DSA networks when PUEA occurs.