Measurement Challenges for Spectrum Sensing in Communication Networks

We summarize a few key spectrum sensing measurement challenges and recent advances. Laboratory tests of sensing are complicated by their inseparable and often imbedded role in modern hardware. Results are difficult to calibrate because physical parameters are often specified with ad-hoc or unclear definitions. The scope of testing is increased dramatically by sensors that demand more complex signal classification in addition to binary occupancy detection. Tests of spectrum sharing are encumbered even further by a lack of accepted, testable parameters for assessing the contribution of spectrum sensing to spectrum sharing between systems. The measurement needs and approaches we discuss here cross the domains of guided-wave and radiated physical measurements, network measurements, and commercial and government spectrum use.