Location based routing protocol exploiting heterogeneous primary users in cognitive radio networks

In cognitive radio networks (CRNs), knowledge of the primary users (PUs) position can be used to avoid harmful interference to the primary network, while at the same time be exploited to improve CR performance. In this paper, a localization algorithm is developed to calculate PUs position and a novel location based CR (LCR) routing protocol is proposed that has the following properties: (i) it considers the existence of heterogeneous PUs, (ii) exploits PUs location information, (iii) jointly selects spectrum and route, (iv) protects PUs from interference. Clusters of CRs are defined according to the spectral characteristics in a given location area, and the LCR routing protocol acts in two steps: intra-cluster and inter-cluster. Simulations are conducted in terms of CR end-to-end performance and PUs collision risk. Results reveal the importance of formulating routing protocol in terms of PU protection, which is a unique features in CR networks.