An Opportunistic Cross-Layer Architecture for New Generation Networks

Cognitive radio in network core devices such as basestations is being considered as a spectrum management solution for future society's communication demands. Aside from new resource allocation algorithms, efficient inter- and intra-protocol processing should be considered. We propose an opportunistic cross layer architecture called COmmon Layer Architecture (COLA) for information exchange between arbitrary layers for New Generation Networks (NWGN) with network-oriented cognitive radio. Through COLA, information from different protocols, as well as different layers, can be efficiently processed with minimized performance degradation. Emulation and simulation results showed improved aggregate throughput, handoff delay, connectivity and packet drop ratio.