Spectrum Sensing System in Software-defined Radio to Determine Spectrum Availability

Abstract

Spectrum sensing is an integral part of cognitive radio, which seeks to address the perceived spectrum scarcity that is caused by inefficient utilization of the available spectrum. In this paper, a spectrum sensing system using energy detection for analog TV and FM broadcast transmitters as well as modified Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting Terrestrial (ISDB-T) signals is implemented on a software-defined radio platform using GNU’s Not Unix (GNU) radio and the N200 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP). Real-time implementation and experimental tests were conducted in Metro Cebu, a highly urbanized area in the southern part of the Philippines. Extensive tests and measurements were necessary to determine spectrum availability, particularly in the TV band. This is in support of the Philippine government’s efforts to provide internet connectivity to rural areas. Experimental results have so far met IEEE 802.22 requirements for energy detection spectrum sensing. The designed system detected signals at -114 dBm within a sensing time of 100 ms. Furthermore, the required PSUBd/SUB(≥ 90) and PSUBfa/SUB(≤10) of the standard were also achieved with different thresholds for various signal sources representing primary users.