Intelligent and efficient development of wireless networks: A review of cognitive radio networks

Facing the challenges on how to improve spectrum efficiency and how to realize heterogeneous network convergence in future wireless networks, a cognitive radio network (CRN) is proposed as one of the solutions. This has become a major research topic in recent years and it is timely to give an overview of the development of CRN and to summarize key issues and technologies. The fundamental concepts of CRN, including the cognitive cycle model, the network architecture, and the cognitive ability and intelligent decision functions, are introduced in detail based on recent advances. Key issues for each topic, followed with recent research on theory and method, are then classified and the industrialization developments of CRN testbeds based on TD-LTE cellular system and standards are briefly presented. Finally, conclusions are reached on the perspectives and directions of future development.