Channel switching-aware optimal reconfiguration in Cognitive Radio Networks

Secondary users in Cognitive Radio networks (CRNs) require intelligent reconfiguration mechanisms, in order to respond promptly and limit properly additional and escalating system adaptations triggered by the interweaved primary network activity. In this work, we focus on the Joint Channel Assignment and Routing (JCAR) problem in CRNs and especially on the optimal reconfiguration of secondary networks by mainly taking into account the underlying spectrum switching distance parameter. We formulate the JCAR and network reconfiguration problems as mixed integer linear programs, addressing fairness as well. The proposed formulation addresses the trade-off between low reconfiguration cost and flow demand satisfaction. Through analysis and simulations we demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of the proposed mechanisms. The obtained numerical results indicate and quantify the underlying reconfiguration trade-off, while demonstrating the benefits achieved by the proposed solutions.