Probability-Based Centralized Device for Spectrum Handoff in Cognitive Radio Networks

Wireless communication technology is the future of communication, but rapid growth in wireless technology has led to a scarcity in the spectrum. Thus, the world has moved away from fixed spectrum allocation to dynamic spectrum allocation. Cognitive radio technology is a rapidly growing technique that allows spectrum to be shared between licensed or primary users (PUs) and unlicensed or secondary users (SUs). The SUs are allowed to use the licensed channels in the absence of the PUs. Upon the arrival of a PU on the channel, the SU has to leave the channel and resume its transmission on another channel. This process is known as spectrum mobility, and the shift in the channel is known as spectrum handoff. Typical transmission of data using this technology requires numerous spectrum handoffs, leading to fluctuations in the spectrum allotted to SUs. Reducing the number of handoffs and providing SUs with a better transmission environment require choosing an efficient handoff strategy. The current handoff strategies face various drawbacks that reduce the efficiency of the network. This paper presents a probability-based centralized device for increasing the efficiency of spectrum handoffs in cognitive radio networks. The handoff strategy presented in this paper improves the accuracy in sensing the right channel for handoff, reduces the energy consumed in the process, reduces the handoff time, and speeds up the transmission of data. This paper presents a complete model of the system, along with the detailed study of its parameters that proves the effectiveness of the technique.