Enabling Symbiotic Coexistence of Heterogeneous Cognitive Radio Networks

摘要

Multiple wireless standards, e.g., IEEE 802.11af and 802.22, have been developed for enabling opportunistic access in TV white space (TVWS) using cognitive radio (CR) technology. When heterogeneous CR networks that are based on different wireless standards operate in the same TVWS, coexistence issues can potentially cause major problems. Enabling collaborative coexistence via direct coordination between heterogeneous CR networks is very challenging, due to incompatible MAC/PHY designs of coexisting networks, requirement of an over-the-air common control channel for inter-network communications, and time synchronization across devices from different networks. In this paper, we propose an architecture for enabling collaborative coexistence of heterogeneous CR networks, called SYMbiotic heterogeneous Coexistence ARchitecturE (SymCare). By leveraging the symbiotic relationships between heterogeneous organisms in a stable ecosystem, SymCare establishes an indirect coordination mechanism between heterogeneous CR networks via a mediator system, which avoids the drawbacks of direct coordination. SymCare includes a spectrum sharing algorithm inspired by theories in theoretical ecology, viz, the optimal foraging theory and the ideal free distribution model.