Combined energy detection and one-order cyclostationary feature detection techniques in cognitive radio systems

One of the main requirements of cognitive radio systems is the ability to detect the presence of the primary user with fast speed and precise accuracy. To achieve that, a possible two-stage spectrum sensing scheme is suggested in this paper. More specifically, a fast spectrum sensing algorithm based on the energy detection is introduced focusing on the coarse detection. A complementary fine spectrum sensing algorithm adopts one-order cyclostationary properties of primary user's signals in time domain. Since the one-order feature detection is performed in time domain, the real-time operation and low-computational complexity can be achieved. Also, it drastically reduces hardware burdens and power consumption as opposed to two-order feature detection. The sensing performance of the proposed method is studied and the analytical performance results are given. The results indicate that better performance can be achieved in proposed two-stage sensing detection compared to the conventional energy detector. © 2010 The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications.