Investigating the Effects of the Common Control Channel Challenge in Multichannel Cognitive Networks With Hypothetical Spectrum Hole

Abstract

Multichannel MAC protocols have become a design choice of wireless access networks as they increase the achievable throughput. However, the implementation of a common control channel has been a challenge. The common control channel challenge has not been investigated in opportunistic networks where the availability of medium is temporary and unpredictable. The uncertainty of the availability of the channel coupled with the common control channel challenge makes this area an interesting research topic. Unfortunately, this challenge requires further investigation in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks (CRAHN), a promising next generation technology. The challenge makes an interesting study in CRAHN given the opportunistic access and use of channels. Given a hypothetical spectrum hole of any size coupled with the implementation of a control channel in a multi-channel environment, how much of good put can be realized and be effectively utilized for data transmission. We investigate the common control channel challenge in CRAHN through network simulations. The opportunistic nature of CRAHNs in the presence of the common control channel challenge is investigated. The simulation results show that the combination of the control channel challenge and the size of the spectrum hole degrade gracefully the network. Furthermore, the size of the spectrum hole has a bearing on good put. The results show that a big hole improves performance. Unfortunately, the opportunistic attribute of CRAHNs does not guarantee desirable spectrum holes.