CogNS: A Simulation Framework for Cognitive Radio Networks

Abstract

Cognitive radio technology has been used to efficiently utilize the spectrum in wireless networks. Although many research studies have been done recently in the area of cognitive radio networks (CRNs), little effort has been made to propose a simulation framework for CRNs. In this paper, a simulation framework based on NS2 (CogNS) for cognitive radio networks is proposed. This framework can be used to investigate and evaluate the impact of lower layers, i.e., MAC and physical layer, on the transport and network layers protocols. Due to the importance of packet drop probability, end-to-end delay and throughput as QoS requirements in real-time reliable applications, these metrics are evaluated over CRNs through CogNS framework. Our simulations demonstrate that the design of new network and transport layer protocols over CRNs should be considered based on CR-related parameters such as activity model of primary users, sensing time and frequency.