This document summarizes a research paper on performance analysis of spectrum sharing in cognitive radio using a common control channel. It discusses how cognitive radio can dynamically detect unused spectrum and allocate it to secondary users without interfering with primary users. The paper presents simulation results demonstrating the spectrum sharing process. It shows unused spectrum being allocated to new secondary users, and secondary users vacating the spectrum if a primary user needs it. The effects of noise and signal attenuation on the spectrum sharing are also analyzed through the simulation results.

1. Performance and Analysis of Spectrum Sharing in
Cognitive Radio using Common Control Channel
Jignesh A. Nathani1
and Arjav A. Bavarva2
1
RK University, Rajkot, India
Email: jigneshnathani9@gmail.com
2
RK University, Rajkot, India
Email: arjav.bavarva@rku.ac.in
Abstract— Spectrum requirement is the biggest issue in the field of communication. Because
of new technology and applications expansion bandwidth becomes more crucial. Many
methods and techniques are used to solve this problem. One of them is bandwidth sharing
cognitive radio technique. This paper shows bandwidth sharing in cognitive radio using
common control channel. For this purpose after spectrum sensing, actual work spectrum
sharing is done. New secondary user comes into the network and checks spectrum
availability by using one of the spectrum sensing techniques, if spectrum is free than
spectrum sharing technique assigns available channel to new user without harming existing
primary users. This is done through first come first serve bases. Priority is given to the
primary users. If existing spectrum band contains secondary users and new primary user
comes into the network when no more spectrum band is free then one of the secondary user
needs to vacant the band and that spectrum band is allocated to new primary user. In this
paper simulation results have been described which gives exact idea of spectrum sharing.
Index Terms— bandwidth sharing, cognitive radio (CR), spectrum mobility
I. INTRODUCTION
The latest technology uses radio devices; this every device uses the terms and policies of Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) [2]. Cognitive radio is a technique which changes its parameters like
operating frequency, modulation technique, transmission power etc. according to requirement for spectrum
sharing purpose [4].
Fig.1 shows whole spectrum utilization [4] in which some frequency portions heavily used and some
frequency portions are medium used. Remaining frequency portions are wastage. To solve this problem
spectrum sharing in cognitive radio technique is required.
Main feature of cognitive radio is re configurability that means devices have a capability to change parameter
according to requirement. Below mentioned parameters are essentials for perfect cognitive radios [2, 4],
• Operating Frequency: - CR is capable to changing operating frequency according to information
based on a network for establish proper communication [4].
• Modulation: - CR is capable to reconfigure modulation techniques according to user requirement for
a perfect communication [4].
• Transmission power: - CR is competent to reconfigure a transmission power according to user’s
requirement and without interfering of neighbor users. They uses low transmission power but
DOI: 02.ITC.2014.5.555
© Association of Computer Electronics and Electrical Engineers, 2014
Proc. of Int. Conf. on Recent Trends in Information, Telecommunication and Computing, ITC

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Figure 1. Spectrum utilization [4]
efficient, as per requirement in this way more user can share a bandwidth [4].
• Communication technology: - CR has a capability to operate any device in communication network
like universal device [4].
CR networks combine four processes; spectrum sensing, spectrum management, spectrum sharing and
spectrum mobility [4, 13].
• Spectrum sensing: - In this process, CR user sense the availability of spectrum. Three main
techniques; energy based detection, matched filter based detection and cyclostationary based
spectrum sensing are used in cognitive radio.
• Spectrum management: - In this process, CR network manages free unused portion of the spectrum.
• Spectrum sharing: - In this process, after free spectrum portion sensing new CR user called
secondary user uses that portion of spectrum without affecting primary user. Many techniques like
game theory based, OFDM based, memo turbo coder based spectrum sharing etc., are used.
• Spectrum mobility: - In this process, priority is given to the primary user, if they want to use
spectrum then immediately vacant that spectrum portion which is used by secondary user [4, 7].
Spectrum sharing is a technique of cognitive radio to acquire a portion of bandwidth which is not used by
primary users during that time.
A. Classification of Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radio
Basically spectrum sharing in cognitive radio is classified as internetworking architecture, intra network
based spectrum sharing and spectrum access schemes [4, 12]. Which are shown in Fig. 2.
Figure 2. Classification of spectrum sharing in cognitive radio [4]
1. Internetworking Architecture based Spectrum Sharing:- This section further divided in two type
centralized internetworking based spectrum sharing and distributed internetworking based spectrum sharing
[4].

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• Centralized internetworking based spectrum sharing: - In this type of sharing, one centre entity gets
all the information about network. Each user in the network gives information to central entity.
According to this information central entity takes certain decisions. All the users coordinate with
central entity using broadcasting messages on CSCC (Common Spectrum Coordination Channel).
• Distributed internetworking based spectrum sharing: - This type of spectrum sharing is beneficial
where infrastructure based networking is not used. Each user is responsible for allocation of
bandwidth which is based on local policies. In this spectrum sharing, data and control channel are
separated which is main drawback of this network as it requires detach common control channel [4].
2. Intra Network Spectrum Sharing:-This type of network further divides in two types cooperative based and
non-cooperative based intra network spectrum sharing [4].
• Cooperative based intra network spectrum sharing: - This spectrum sharing remedy considers effect
of communication of user in the network with other user in network. Centralized based solution also
regard as a cooperative based solution. In this network, clustering technique is proposed so
according to this manner each group of user uses same control channel. A user group is reorganize
and used another control channel when this required channel used by primary user.
• Non-cooperative based intra network spectrum sharing: - This is based on opportunistic spectrum
sharing based scheme. Here all user acquires a channel is based on interference information of
neighbor’s user. Here spectrum sharing protocol for ad-hoc networks, (AS-MAC) is proposed,
which gives the concepts of the RTS-CTS exchange and Network Allocation Vector (NAV) of the
IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. Transmitter and receiver handshaking is done trough common control
channel [4, 12].
3. Spectrum Access Technique based Spectrum Sharing:-This technique is mainly divided into two types
overlay spectrum sharing and underlay spectrum sharing,
• Overlay spectrum sharing: - For minimize interference with neighbor user; secondary user occupies
only those bands of a spectrum which is not used by primary user. So in this way, this technique is
very beneficial when interference between neighboring users is high.
• Underlay spectrum sharing: - In this technique, ones user got the information regarding spectrum
then user starts a communication, without harming primary user. This technique requires precise
spread spectrum sharing techniques. Main drawback is it requires more bandwidth compare to
overlay spectrum sharing technique. [4, 9]
This paper is organized as follows. First section is introduction, second section is related work, problem
statement and methodology is covered in third section and fourth section is about simulation results.
II. RELATED WORK
Many different techniques are executed by researchers from solving a problem of bandwidth shortage. In this
research first Dr. J. Mitola found technique called software defined radio in 1991 [1, 6]. The author proposed
cognitive radio approach for unlicensed uses. The author used policy based sharing in cognitive radio [3].
Game theory based model approach showed spectrum sharing in cognitive radio where two techniques static
cournot game for Nash equilibrium and dynamic cournot game for secondary user were proposed [5]. This
scheme gives two fair spectrum allocation algorithms max–min fair maximum throughput bandwidth
allocation (MMBA) and lexicographical max–min bandwidth allocation (LMMBA) with fair and efficient
spectrum allocation in wireless mess network with cognitive radio [8]. Auction based spectrum sharing
scheme where secondary user bids a spectrum and primary user allocate the band without harming itself [10].
This scheme shows fair, efficient and power optimized (FIPO) spectrum sharing scheme in cognitive radio
which better then MMF scheme. FIPO scheme uses less transmission power compared to MMF with same
file size [11].
Learning based spectrum handoff scheme introduced where user predict the channel status, which is helpful
to reduce spectrum handoff time [16]. Spectrum sharing scheme for telecommunication proposed where user
senses the range of CR nodes [17]. The author proposed Adaptive multiple rendezvous control channel
(AMRCC) based on frequency hopping scheme for bandwidth sharing among CR users. This scheme shows
continuously connectivity between CR users with presence of primary users [15]. Novel strategy based
cognitive radio scheme for enlarging bandwidth utilization and minimize interference introduced which
normally occurred during acquisition of channel in cellular system [14]. Spatial coding based scheme used
adaptive beam forming and null steering proposed for spectrum sharing between CR users without harming

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PUs [19]. Power allocation with random removal scheme discussed which solved optimization problem in
cognitive radio network (CRN) [20]. Resource allocation optimization framework for a CRN discussed in the
presence of PU activities [21] and intelligent mobile agents in wireless networks proposed which manages
fair distribution of network resource and bandwidth sharing among CR users [18].
III. PROBLEM STATEMENT AND METHODOLOGY
This paper is mainly focused on spectrum sharing for TV channels using common control channel in which
overlay CCC is used. Fig. 3 shows flow chart of spectrum sharing process.
Figure 3. Flow chart of spectrum sharing process
In this paper, five carrier frequencies 100 MHz, 200 MHz, 300 MHz, 400 MHz and 500 MHz; and 12 MHz
sampling frequency is used. Assume that spectrum sensing is done before spectrum sharing takes place.
When user enters into the network, test condition checks whether user is primary (PU) or secondary (SU). If
PU is there then network vacant that spectrum band which is used by SU in first in first out manner (FIFO).
After vacant that band, network is handed over that free band to the PU. Another condition is shown, if user
is SU. Test condition checks whether any free spectrum band available or not. If yes, then allocate that free
band to SU in first come first serve manner. Another condition is no free available spectrum band then SU
need to wait for vacancy.
IV. SIMUMATIONS AND RESULTS
Simulations and their results are shown in below figures,

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Figure 4. 200 MHz and 300 MHz bands are free Figure 7. Occupied 200 MHz band is vacant for primary user
Figure 5. 200 MHz band occupied by new secondary user Figure 8. Previously vacant 200 MHz band is shared by primary user
Figure 6. 300 MHz band occupied by another new secondary user Figure 9. Impact on user presence when 20 dB noises are present
All results shows power spectral density (PSD) Vs frequency graphs. Higher level of PSD shows presence of
user on that particular frequency. Fig. 4 shows primary users 1, 4 and 5 are present and they occupied 100
MHz, 400 MHz and 500 MHz TV channel frequencies. At this stage 200 MHz and 300 MHz frequency
portions are empty and wasted as no one is using those bands. Fig. 5 gives clear cut idea about first come first
serve base spectrum allocation. Spectrum sensing shows 200 MHz and 300 MHz frequency bands have lower
PSD values compare to threshold value, so they are free bands. When new secondary user comes into the

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Figure 10. Impact on user presence when -20 dB noises are present Figure 11. Impact on user presence when signal attenuated by 15%
network, it should be allocated 200 MHz band immediately as it is the first free slot in spectrum band. Later
on if another secondary user comes into the network, it should be allocated on 300 MHz slot. This process is
shown in Fig. 6.
This is the situation where no any free slots are available and used slots include three primary users (on 100
MHz, 400 MHz and 500 MHz) and two secondary users (on 200 MHz and 300 MHz). In this case if new
primary user demands for frequency band, existing secondary users need to vacant the slot for upcoming
primary user as primary user has highest priority. Whether 200 MHz slot or 300 MHz slot should be free for
upcoming primary user that depends on usage time. Slot should be free on FIFO base. In this simulation work
200 MHz slot was allocated first thus this slot should be vacant for upcoming primary user. This whole
dynamic spectrum allocation process has been shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 8 shows 200 MHz frequency band is allocated to new primary user and secondary user used this band
previously will loss the communication. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 demonstrates how the noise affects this simulation
results. When 20 db noises are present in channel, simulation results are same as fig. 8 which is shown in Fig.
9. It clearly revels that user information is easily detectable. If -20 db noises are added, heavy degradation in
signal power is observed and even presence of user is not identified which is shown in Fig. 10. When signals
are attenuated by 15 %, signal power is degraded extremely and this result is shown in Fig. 11. It clearly
shows that users’ information is scrambled.
V. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
Spectrum sensing senses available spectrum band in the network and on the bases of that dynamic spectrum
allocation for TV channel has been done. Check condition runs on control channel to find out new user is
primary or secondary. Primary users have highest priority to accommodate in the spectrum band. Secondary
user may need to leave the spectrum on FIFO bases and loss the communication if primary user demands for
channel. Simulation results demonstrate spectrum sharing process step by step. Results also show effect of
noise, heavy degradation in signal power has been observed when -20 db noise is added in the channel and it
is completely destroyed if signal is attenuated by 15%.
Work can be extended for faded channel in which more than -20 db noise is present. The effect of spectrum
sharing can be associated with Doppler shift.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are very thanking full to RK University for providing valuable resources and research platform.
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J. A. NATHANI1
graduated B. E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering with distinction
from RK College of Engineering and Technology, Saurashtra University, India, in 2010. He is
pursuing M.Tech. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering form School of Engineering,
RK University, India.
A. A. BAVARVA2
has received his degree of B. E. in Electronics & communication Engineering
from C. U. Shah College of Engineering & Technology, Wadhwan, India in 2005 and degree of M. E.
professional in IT & Telecommunication from Deakin University, Australia in 2008. Currently he is
working as Asst. Professor in Department of Electronics & communication, RK. University, Rajkot,
with teaching experience of more than 3 years