Fair and efficient spectrum splitting for cooperative cognitive radio networks

This paper considers the network situation where the primary users (PUs) in a cognitive radio network have leased out the idled spectrum to the secondary users (SUs) via pricing-based dynamic spectrum allocations (DSAs). We take into account that a SU can serve as a cooperative relay for a PU, and, then, stimulate the PU to split more spectrum while maintaining the minimum transmission rate of the PU. Without using pricing-based mechanisms again, a resource-exchange based bargaining game is proposed to develop the incentive mechanism. Considering multiple SUs should compete with each other for the newly-obtained spectrum from a PU, the novelty of the game scheme is in taking explicitly account of that each PU and SU have their own minimum rate demands. Simulation results show the game guarantees the minimum rate requirement for the PU, and, at the same time, ensures each SU can get a fair rate-reward from the PU according to the level of contribution that it can make to compensate the PU's rate-loss.