Primary user traffic pattern based opportunistic spectrum handoff in cognitive radio networks

Through the expeditious expansion of the wireless network, the unlicensed bandwidthbased devices are growing substantially as compared to the present vacant bandwidth. Cognitive radio networks present a proficient solution to the spectrum shortage diminution hitch by allowing the usage of the vacant part of the spectrum that is not currently in use of the Primary User licensed bandwidth to the secondary user or cognitive radio user. Spectrum management procedure in cognitive radio network comprises of spectrum sharing, sensing and handoff. Spectrum handoff plays a vital role in spectrum management and primarily focuses on single handoff strategies. This paper presents a primary user traffic pattern-based opportunistic spectrum handoff (PUTPOSH) approach to use in the cognitive radio networks. PUTPOSH permits a secondary user to sense the arrival of a primary user and use an opportunistic handoff scheme. The opportunistic handoff scheme firstly detects the arrival of the primary users by energy detection sensing and secondly, it allows a cognitive radio user to decide whether to do handoff or not contingent upon the overall service time to reduce the unused handoffs. The handoffs can either be reactive or proactive based on the arrival rate of the primary user. The simulation results show that the presented PUTPOSH approach (a) minimizes the number of handoffs and the overall service time, and (b) maintains the channel utilization and throughput of the system at a maximal point.