Performance analysis of proactive decision spectrum handoff for MAC protocols in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio technology is a new network technology that aims to utilize unused or rarely used spectrum bands efficiently. The main objective of cognitive radio networks is that secondary users sense the frequency band with available spectrum detection techniques and utilize unused parts of the spectrum. While secondary users use the empty spectrum bands; if primary users want to use their own channels, secondary users must carry out spectrum handoff process. Spectrum handoff process mainly happens in two different ways including sensing based and proactive decision based. In this study, performance evaluation of proactive decision spectrum handoff for medium access control protocols is made. In proactive decision spectrum handoff; when secondary users perform spectrum handoff process, they switch to one of the predefined empty channels.